Regular guest quester Kim is very good at coming up with new and interesting venues for us to visit and today was no exception. The Carrubber’s Cafe was not one that was previously on my radar so I was glad to wander down Chalmers’ Close, passing Forsyth’s Tearoom on the left, then cross the threshold.

In the ecclesiastical community cafe style, the interior was smart and welcoming with a good range of comfy seats and regular tables.

Service was at the counter so once we’d had a look at the menu board and the daily changing soup options we approached. I opted for the pea and bacon soup along with the apple cheese crunch salad. Kim chose the carrot and parsnip soup and a slice of cake. We added decent coffees.

Taking up station at one of the comfy tables we were soon tucking in. Both the soups were very good with a hearty and rustic texture to both which suited the chilly edge of the outside temperature. It was really pleasing stuff.

My salad wasn’t quite as good. The apple pieces were profuse but rather inelegantly chunky. The cheese pieces and cranberries came together nicely, but the salad could have used a dressing to more coherently bring it together. It was good, fresh and crisp, but pretty basic stuff.

So overall, the Carrubber’s Cafe is doing pleasingly good work. As with most cafes in this style, the value is high as the total cost for both lunches was little more than £15. I look forward to returning again and giving their daily changing hot dish a try. When you’re looking for a quick, cheap informal eat in this neighbourhood do give it a go.

Scores
Blythe scores Carrubber’s Cafe
3.5/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
4/5 for service
3.5/5 for setting
giving an overall 14.5/20

Today’s questers were: Kim, Blythe

We ate: carrot and parsnip soup, pea and bacon soup, apple and cheese salad, cake

We drank: coffees, water

We wore: black, blue

Total bill: c.£15