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Displaying items by tag: garden

Monday, 19 August 2019 17:32

The Secret Garden at Bildeston Crown

All was revealed last week when I was invited to a 'Secret Garden' barbecue at Bildeston Crown and discovered the beautiful walled garden, tucked away at the back of the inn. You can book it exclusively for yourself and up to sixteen people for an al fresco meal. It has access through a gate from the car park or via the new very cosy lounge and Champagne bar (more about that another time). It's cook your own on the inset grills which run down the centre of the table, allowing you to barbecue delicious meats and vegetables yourself without having to move. Chef and owner Chris Lee is on hand to make sure no one goes hungry or burns anything they shouldn't. Ice buckets fill the gaps where there's no grill ensuring that the wine is as perfectly chilled as the guests. With delightful service from Hayley and the young, professional team at Bildeston Crown we enjoyed glasses of refreshing chilled rose and were delivered superb side salads, hot side dishes, dips and sauces to accompany the Red Poll steaks, homemade beef burgers, chicken kebabs and marinated pork. We cooked our meat on the grills, slowly grazing away well into the afternoon. If you fancy your own al fresco feast speak to Chris or Hayley who will tailor a menu for you. Prices start at £30 a head and I'll put my money on the cute little courtyard working well in the winter months too. Braziers, patio heaters, hot grills, vin chaud, raclette, Pierre-chaude and fondue ...just an idea.

Published in Reviews
Wednesday, 23 May 2018 14:04

Tickety Boo

A strange name for a cafe, but a delightful setting overlooking the orchard at Harvey's Garden Plants in Thurston. Outside you can watch the chickens scratching and I like it best early in the morning for a decent coffee. Plenty of homemade cakes and baked goods are also on offer, plus some gluten free and 'free from' choices too. The salads could be a little more inspiring than quartered tomatoes and sliced, unpeeled cucumber though.

Published in Cafe and tea rooms
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Tuesday, 29 August 2017 17:35

Whole lotta lovage

Hardly ever seen until this year but now it's trendy and on every menu. It grows like a weed in my garden. My favourite way to use it is to rub my salad bowl with a big handful of the stuff and it will impart a lovely savoury Bovril like flavour. When used raw in dishes it can be very overpowering. The first young stalks of spring are the best for a delicious delicate flavour.

Published in Home Grown
Tagged under
Tuesday, 12 May 2015 20:30

The Garden Post

barbara

Barbara Segall writes about gardens and herbs. Some great tips on her blog for growing and harvesting your own produce. 

Thursday, 03 April 2014 09:50

From small seeds...

Terry Rayner came home from work one day in 2003 and announced to his wife Win that he was quitting work.  Win asked Terry what he was planning to do, "Start up a seed business." "Where?" asked Win.  "In the garden shed" replied Terry, and so Terwin Seeds was formed. (Yes. Terry and Win, Terwin!)   Win told me she was a little nervous when several tons of seed potatoes arrived on their doorstep, but the business has grown and now they have an online shop and a small unit in Cockfield, Suffolk.  I met them at last weeks Edible Garden Show. As I have predicted Buckwheat to trend I picked up a pack of the sprouting seeds to try.

Published in Fruit and veg
Monday, 09 July 2012 11:04

Too much rain - too much veg

Well I hope all you farmers like it because I've had enough, although my garden is bursting with spinach, rainbow chard, new potatoes and beans - we need some sun ...
Published in Home Grown