Reviewed by Alice Letts
This has been a most enjoyable weekend as I have had the opportunity to spend time with an old friend that I haven’t seen in over a year. Its also my first time meeting her boyfriend that I had heard all about! Contrary to weather predictions of bad weather and rain, the sun came out and the weather was dry. Fortuanately it wasn’t too hot so we were quite comfortable and took the opporutnity to explore the neighbouring countryside.
We ended up in Bakewell. And, yes, when one is in Bakewell, one cannot leave Bakewell without first sampling the local delicacy, known as Bakewell pudding. We were told that Bakewell pudding is indeed different to a bakewell tart. The pudding itself apparently originated from a bakewell tart gone wrong with the egg being placed on top of the tart instead of mixed in with the flour, thereby creating the pudding.
I have been informed on good authority that the original and by far the best bakewell pudding is found at no other than ‘The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop’. We went upstairs and our friend’s treated us to some lunch and afternoon tea.
I ordered the afternoon tea for one including a small bakewell pudding, a scone with butter, strawberry jam and whipped cream, and a coffee. The scone was tall, light and fluffy just as I like it and it was just perfect with butter and the whipped cream just made it! It certainly lived up and exceeded my expectations and I savoured every mouthful, and I can still remember them now. The bakewell pudding was a little eggy, quite rich, probably because of the pastry, and rather sweet – however I enjoyed every bite and would have welcomed another one. My coffee came in handy when I tried the toffee cake my husband had ordered that was delicious but a little too sweet for my taste.
The toffee cake was great value as it was gigantic, and definitely far too much for one person.
The apple lattice that my friend ordered went down well with the creamy custard, and full marks for both there.
The toasted panini was popular too, and reminded me of lunches in New Zealand a few years ago when panini’s suddenly became all the fad.
The staff at the restaurant were polite, courteous, efficient and quite simply put, excellent! We all had a very enjoyable lunch/afternoon tea at the pudding shop and it as a very good experience. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who is planning to visit Bakewell.
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, The Square, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1BT Tel. +44(0)1629 812193
| Website: | www.bakewellpuddingshop.co.uk |
| Licensed: | Yes, fully licensed. |
| Hours: | 9am – 6pm daily |
| Seating: | Approximately 70 |
| Takeaways: | Unknown |
| Gift vouchers: | Unknown |
| Parking: | No |
| Food: | 9 out of 10 |
| Dessert: | 9 out of 10 |
| Presentation: | 10 out of 10 |
| Ambience: | 10 out of 10 |
| Service: | 10 out of 10 |
| Environment: | 9 out of 10 |
| Toilets: | Unknown |
| Child Friendly: | Stairs up to restaurant make it difficult if you have a buggy or stroller with you. |
Copyright © Alice Letts 2009
Alice Letts 