Food feedback

Coverpoint's Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular catering review for Shopping Centre. This month he visits the Green Apple Café at Dobbies in Atherstone

Published: 20 November, 2006

Page 6

It appears that everything in the garden is rosy. While not strictly a shopping centre, Dobbies Garden World at Atherstone has to be seen to be believed. The site features a Julian Graves concession, Art Depot, an Outdoor Shop for clothing and a Field to Kitchen Food Hall, as well as the usual garden centre range, offering at least six complementary retail uses.

This is all complemented by leisure experiences such as Plantasia (an interactive nature experience), Maze World and the Wild Walk nature trail.

The reason for our visit was to have lunch in the Green Apple Café, situated in the heart of the main building. Christmas is soon upon us and the majority of guests in the Café (over 100 on a Friday lunchtime) were obviously starting their Christmas shopping as well as tending to their gardening needs.

We selected a bacon, brie & walnut jacket potato (£4.75), a mushroom, broccoli & leek bake (£5.95), two cappuccinos (£1.90 each) and two strawberry & rhubarb slices (£1.50 each). The main courses were delivered immediately to the table and were generous in both portion size and value for money. The taste was excellent.

The cappuccinos looked superb and were served at the right temperature, but were too weak for our liking. The slices also looked superb but were too cold from the refrigerated counter to get any real taste. A pity, as the product quality was excellent.

If shopping centres are all about experience, choice, amenities and customer service, Dobbies Garden World really hits the spot. The staff were superb throughout our meal!

Food: ? ? ? ? ?

Service: ? ? ? ? ?

Value: ? ? ? ? ?

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend