Poncentric’s winter hibernation has come to an end!
We’d been meaning to try the Cornwall Park Café for some time now and the opportunity presented itself for a family gathering on Sunday morning.
It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful setting than smack in the middle of the treasure that is Cornwall Park. As a family we have been regular visitors for many years – with our children back in the day and now with Oli and Milly. Spring is definitely in the air with the daffs starting to appear and calves and lambs afrollicking.
The sun was shining brightly on this ‘spring’ morning as we rolled up at 10-ish hoping that we would be early enough to score a table straightaway. No such luck I’m afraid but the gorgeous setting makes waiting almost a pleasure. Fifteen minutes later we were seated – pleasantly by wait staff who turned out to be attentive and helpful throughout – and the first flat white of the day was ordered while we perused the eclectic menu.
Lately I have been indulging my taste for kidneys and lambs fry so I was delighted to see that CPC has lamb kidneys on the menu. I hesitate to use the generic term for such delicacies. Yes ok then, the term is offal which conjures up a shudder and shaking of the head from most people. I prefer to use the euphemistic ‘variety meats’ as my google search for synonyms revealed.
I risk of course the opprobrium of readers for the juxtaposition of lamb kidneys for brunch while watching frolicking lambs. Don’t think I’ve really got an answer for that I’m sorry!
So, onto the ordering and not surprisingly I had the Lambs kidneys w Pedro Ximenez cream, shallot, pine needle oil and mustard leaf. It was fantastic. And as an aside the other two great spots for these rarely seen ‘variety meat’ dishes are Andiamo who do a wicked kidneys and bacon and Mary’s who serve a tasty lambs fry and bacon on potato cakes.
Rebecca had the Eggs Benedict, blood orange hollandaise, watercress, toasted croissant w hand cut bacon and Deb had the Cornwall Park Potato Rosti [V], duck egg, wild mushroom, artichoke purée. Both were declared tasty and satisfying.
Oli had the pancakes and maple syrup from the kids’ menu which he devoured with great gusto. I do like it when cafes include what CPC amusingly describe as ‘For the kid in all of us’. Kids like simple stuff and while pancakes won on the day Oli could have had House baked beans, cheese melt or Hens egg and soldiers.
Dan had bought the dog so he wasn’t allowed in! We did pass him a flat white and savoury scone through the gap in the glass paneling though – we were in the ‘outside’ seating area where the glass paneling and overhead heater kept us cosy and warm. Next time he said he’s not taking the dog.
CPC is in a fantastic setting, has a menu that is different enough to be interesting, excellent Allpress coffee and staff that are friendly, helpful and attentive.
I’m not surprised you’ve got to queue up at 10 o’clock on a Sunday morning. The wait, in such a delightful setting, is worth it.
Thanks CPC.
Poncentric 