If – like me – you are old enough to remember teen idol David Cassidy then you can probably recall the words of Some Kind of a Summer like it were yesterday?
It may only be the end of July but already here in The Kitchen it feels like we’ve had some kind of a summer already – but sadly it hasn’t included the northern lights. Or even too many rainy nights.
In our back kitchen the temperature has hit the mid thirties almost daily. You wouldn’t realise it sitting in the air conditioned tearoom – and may have noticed team members popping out for some respite occasionally (never has clearing tables had such appeal!)
Sales plummeted as hot coffee and even cakes felt less appealing in the sweltering heat. Hot food orders dropped and – as we have had to do many times before – it was time to have a re-think.
In the end it really wasn’t that difficult. We didn’t need to make big changes to our menu, and we didn’t need to introduce lots of new products.
All that we needed to do was bring some of our items to the forefront of the menu, create some new things using the ingredients we always have in stock, and – of course – triple our orders of ice cream and fresh fruit!
So if you haven’t visited us yet this summer (or at all) you will find a much larger range of cold drinks. More milkshake flavours, more refreshing coolers and spritzes. Iced coffees, chocolates and matchas. You favourite flavours – just served a little differently!
W
e haven’t gone as far as chilled soup yet – but our salad range is better than ever. Ask your server for details. And with freshly baked bread included you won’t go hungry!
Pancakes and waffles have always been a favourite – served for breakfast with Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit and honey, or as a real treat with ice cream. Our ice cream range includes creamy vanilla and honeycomb scoops, but also soft serve with the option of salted caramel. pistachio, chocolate, strawberry or vanilla. And have you tried forest fruits or mango frozen yoghurt? You need to!
Combine ice cream and flavourful sauces with fruit, cream and perhaps brownie pieces – you have an ice cream sundae! Swap out the ice cream for custard – and there’s a trifle! Working in this way offers you the biggest variety of options, while keeping waste to a minimum.
Of course we still make cakes. And cookies. With brownies and traybakes ever popular favourites. Fresh flavours, perhaps less buttercream, and – ideally – a large scoop or swirl of ice cream to finish it off!
Hopefully this post has whetted your appetite. Please remember we are again open until 5pm every day, with Happy Hour 3.30 – 4.30 Monday to Friday. See you soon we hope!