Surrey Striders review of this gastronomic gem
Branching away slightly from our usual coffee shop review, this review is about lunch at Maddings.
The Surrey Striders group started and finished our Friday morning walk at Whipley Manor Farm in Bramley, having first requested permission to park there. After a delightful 5 mile nordic walk taking in the Downs Link and Wintershall, we treated ourselves to lunch in the very sunny courtyard of Maddings, just one of the businesses located on this beautiful estate.
Service was prompt and friendly and it was nice to greet all the lovely dogs going into the cafe.
The food at Maddings is definitely a cut above your usual cafe fare, as you can tell from the photo. I was so intrigued to find out what a ‘crispy egg’ is that I ordered ‘Ham hock, bubble & squeak, tomato ketchup, crispy lee house egg’ for £10.50. A choice that turned out to be a great decision – the ham hock was melt in the mouth and oozed with flavour. Some of the group had very posh bacon sandwiches and were delighted. The coffee is also good, but eclipsed by the unexpectedly fine dining.
I was pleased to read that the cafe has an emphasis on using locally produced ingredients. This is an excerpt from their website: Imaginative, and accessible modern English food, the menu is an all day farm to fork affair. Expect plenty of fresh bakes, breads, brunch dishes for all tastes, some game, daily specials, free-range rotisserie chicken and the best coffee around.
Maddings also offer evening ‘tasting menu’ nights and I am seriously tempted if the standard of this lunch is anything to go by.
The icing on the cake was saying hello to the very curious alpacas as we headed to our cars. We will be back!
