Truly Scrumptious - Nardini's Largs, Scotland

It's Bank Holiday weekend, so we're in search of an ice-cream.  This place is in our top 10 of ice-cream parlours, so we had to share should you find yourself near Largs.

A Scottish institution having opened in 1935, Nardini's is packed even when the beach isn't because of its delicious assortment of ice-cream.  With 32 flavours to choose from it's still the main draw of the lovely deco building that houses the cafe and restaurant.

All their ice-cream is prepared on site and you can even see them at work making it.  Single cone; double scoop; sundaes; or the Clyde Coast Extravaganza: 12 scoops of ice-cream with 16 toppings!

And better still it's open til 9 so you can squeeze in more than one visit on a day out!

Truly Scrumptious - Betty's Tea Rooms, Harrogate

Betty’s tearoom in Harrogate (with 5 others around Yorkshire) is well worth queuing for, if you have too. This graceful, but never pompous, tearoom is not even British in origin but was set up in 1919 by a young Swiss orphan.

Betty’s cooks everything in its own kitchens and stays loyal to the county of Yorkshire, refusing to allow its products over the border to towns elsewhere.

In the tea-room, smart-suited men show people to tables and traditionally-attired waitresses scurry here and there bearing vanilla slices, fruit cakes, caramel chocolate hearts and “plump and fruity Fat Rascals, with bright cherry eyes and cheeky almond grins” on silver-plated three tier cake stands.

And of course as a Swiss chocolatier, chocolates had  to feature heavily too.  So you stretch the experience by taking away a few little treats for later.

All images (c) Betty's of Harrogate

Truly Scrumptious - Verdi's, Mumbles, Gower

Working today, so I'm not venturing out for coffee.  But that doesn't stop me daydreaming about where I'd like to be sitting.

With panoramic views over Swansea Bay and over 30 flavours of ice-cream, Verdi's is a must for coffee lovers too.  

This family run café/restaurant has prime position on the seafront in the quaint Victorian fishing village of Mumbles.   It's the perfect spot for sitting down with the newspapers at the weekend and indulging in a fancy cake with coffee or treating yourself to one of their amazing ice-creams which regularly feature in top 10 lists.  

In the winter you can shelter from the wind but still enjoy the dramatic weather from behind the glass and when the weather finally warms up there is plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the scenery and watch everyone else jog or cycle past.  

Truly Scrumptious - Oliver's, Sherborne, Dorset

I'm really enjoying rediscovering Dorset having spent many years abroad in Switzerland.  As well as the countryside, I love exploring the various market towns in the area and this usually involves a coffee break at some point.   A recent discovery is Oliver's in Sherborne.

It's not surprising to learn that this building used to be the butcher's as the teak framed shop front and tiled interior which date from 1927 are reminiscent of early art deco architecture typical of the type butchers and grocers might have occupied.

Why do I love it?  They serve great coffee and because you sit at their long table there's a friendly atmosphere.  As well as the fantastic choice of cakes and pastries, there is a small but tasty selection on the lunch menu.

There are loads of papers to read if you want to be left in peace and it's basically just a cute and cosy place to rest for a while.  

www.foxandhounds-eastknoyle.co.uk 

Truly Scrumptious - Byfords, Holt, Norfolk

A few years ago we were invited to our friends' wedding near Holt and took advantage of it by having a week's holiday there.  We were even luckier to have happened upon a fantastic cottage in the centre of the village (you can see it at the far right of the picture above) because it was literally a stone's throw from Byfords, an amazing deli, coffee shop, restaurant and boutique B&B.  The owners sum it up perfectly when they describe it as a higgedly-piggedly world of pleasure.  It really is.

We felt almost duty bound to make the arduous trip across the road every morning for fresh coffee and croissants, followed by a quick return to stock up on supplies for a hearty picnic.  We had brought our bikes with us (it being pretty flat terrain) but would still be in need of sustenance on our adventures.  They stocked everything and more that you could wish for in a deli, so accurately described as a culinary Aladdin's cave.  Speciality breads, locally sourced; jams, chutneys, olives and cheeses.

After a full day in the saddle, we felt justified in quenching our thirst with a glass of chilled wine, choosing to sit outside and watch the world go by.

We did venture to other places - usually at the recommendation of information provided by Byfords and were never disappointed.  So if you're in the area or fancy a weekend away, do check this place out.

Truly Scrumptious - Boston Tea Party Cafe, Salisbury

Guest contributor, Nathalie Jochum shares one of her secret destinations ...

For me, a trip to Salisbury isn't complete without a stop at the Boston Tea Party cafe.  It's fantastic - fresh cakes, hearty soups and sandwiches, the welcoming smell of coffee and a big menu written up on a blackboard.  

The mismatched furniture sets the mood perfectly, making it feel homely and yet still stylish.   As a result there's a truly relaxed atmosphere and everyone from young kids and their grandparents to business folk and students sit comfortably along side each other.

And my personal favourite - the white hot chocolate, you MUST give it a try.

Although the cafe isn't a one off, it is one of only seven branches and the owners like to think of themselves as a happy cluster rather than a clunky chain.  In striving to achieve this effect, each cafe is individual and nurtures close links to the surrounding community, supporting local artists, charities & businesses by using the cafe's space & community notice boards to promote events & organisations.  

www.foxandhounds-eastknoyle.co.uk

Truly Scrumptious - the Tickled Pig, Wimborne, Dorset

Another weekend and another chance to try somewhere different for coffee.  
Today - the Tickled Pig in Wimborne.  It's a restaurant and cookery school but they're also open in the morning, serving tempting pastries and great tasting coffee. 

It's no more expensive that the Costa around the corner, but you don't have to queue for your coffee and their food is made on the premises. 

There's plenty of seating and a welcoming fire which has probably been lit frequently this year.  We'll be booking a table for dinner soon.