The ARTearoom - it's all about the setting

Last year when we were in the middle of extensive house renovations, there were days when our builders politely asked if we could just go out for a bit and get out of their way. On such occasions we would try to find somewhere nice for lunch and on more than one occasion we ended up at The ARTearoom at Wakefield Country Courtyard off the A5 at Potterspury. So this year, for our wedding anniversary, we decided to pay a return visit to the tearoom and enjoy a quiet lunch for two.

The setting of the tearoom is lovely; first up a well maintained driveway, then into the good sized car park next to the field and close to the attractive stone buildings. On this occasion, not long after getting out of the car, we were treated to the drama of the hairdresser's dog escaping and excitedly chasing the resident chickens around the car park. Probably not fun for the chickens, or the people attempting to recover the dog, but somehow a typically British moment in time!

Inside the tearoom, it is as always, like stepping back in time to a tearoom from the 1930s or 40s. You half expect to find Miss Marple sat, sipping tea from a china tea cup, at one of the tables. The room is decorated with china teaware and quaint nick-nacks, with artwork for sale on the walls and windowsill and fitting period music playing in the background. This, you feel, is a place you would be happy to bring your nan for afternoon tea.

The use of the word "tea" in the name of this place is definitely significant as tea is a key element. There is a whole section of the menu dedicated to different types of tea and in the past Steve has had a fairly lengthy conversation with the guy who runs the place about tea. It comes in china teapots, with a knitted tea-cosy and a proper cup and saucer, a tiny jug of milk and a mini Jammy Dodger. A big tick for the tea then. I, however, don't drink tea or coffee so I ordered an apple juice and was sadly disappointed with the very much standard clear apple juice that arrived. Given that this tearoom is literally across the courtyard to Upton Smokery Farm Shop, which stocks, amongst other delights, Virtual Orchard apple juice, why was this not what was served?

Every time I come here I order the same thing - a toastie. I have varied it a little between the plain cheese one, the cheese and homemade chutney one and the ham and chutney one. Steve, on the other hand, always goes from the bacon, brie and cranberry one. It is impossible to quibble about the consistency of the lunch because it always comes exactly the same - two triangles of toasties accompanied by salad, a purple coleslaw and vegetable crisps. To demonstrate what I mean, I have included two photos - one from this year and one from last. So if you have it once and you like it, you are sure to not be disappointed the next time. Personally, I do like it, although Steve always says the coleslaw is too vinegary and leaves most of it. As it happens I make a lovely purple coleslaw using red cabbage, red onion, grated raw beetroot, salt & pepper and mayonnaise so in contrast, this version is rather wet and acidic.

On this occasion I ordered the cheese and homemade chutney toastie and I did really enjoy it. Having said that, I do secretly like toasties made from plain ordinary ingredients. This was standard sliced white bread, a mature Cheddar and something that reminded me so much of childhood packed lunch sandwiches that I would swear it was Ploughman's Pickle. But maybe I'm wrong and it really was a homemade chutney... if it was, I'd like the recipe. So I think for a lot of people this would tick the box for a straight forward, not scary, lunch. However, having tasted, as I have, The Good Times Cafe cheese toastie made on Geoff's Real Artisan Bread sourdough I am perhaps forever spoilt!

So, another lovely lunch in a lovely setting and I have to wonder if I should just be happy with that. A lot of people would be and they are customers too. However, I cannot help but wonder if the location of this tearoom means I should expect more. If I am the type of person to drive out here and visit the tearoom and then Upton Smokery Farm Shop, am I not the type of person looking for that little bit extra when it comes to food. Customers of Upton Smokery don't go in there and say, "Well, we could buy cheese cheaper in Lidl and pop it in a sandwich with some Tesco Value Bread." No, these people are looking for something special - maybe local, maybe unusual, maybe just better quality, handmade or with a good provenance. When they drop into the tearoom they are undoubtedly going to adore the decor, the music and selection of tea. Serve up some local cloudy apple juice and lunch made with local artisan sourdough and actual homemade pickle and they are just going to lap it up.