Ploughman’s Lunch at The Potting Shed, Manorbier Garden Centre reviewed
Location –
The Potting Shed, Manorbier Garden Centre
Station Rd,
Manorbier,
Tenby
SA70 7SN
Website – http://manorbiergardencentre.co.uk/
Date of Visit – 25/10/2023
The Food
OK. This was not listed as a ploughman’s, but if it’s not a ploughman’s in name, it was in spirit and substance. I don’t usually do an introduction, but I have to say, it was exceptional. Let me present:
The Potting Shed Platter.
10 – Pickled Onion and beetroot: The onions were good. Crispy, tasty, sharp—perhaps on the edge of too sharp, but not as they worked very well with the rest of the plate. The beetroot was a delight! Cooked to perfection, slightly sweet, with a hint of acidity.
10 – Pickle: Two pickles arrived. The ploughman’s fine chopped (possibly Branston) plus a chutney. The chutney was superb. Both in separate ramekins on another dish with the bread, because there was already so much happening on the plate!
10 – Cheese / Ham: Can I give this a 15? I wish I could!Cheese: Lovely creamy cheddar, suspected Welsh, and an equally delightful Brie at the peak of its powers before becoming too ripe.Ham: Proper home-cooked ham, so tender that it was impossible to carve perfectly. Thick slices, chunks, all sorts of shapes of the softest, tastiest ham ever.
10 – Bread: Fresh, home-baked taste, slightly warm. It reminded me of the bread rolls my Grandmother used to make.
5 – Spread Welsh butter, perfect temperature, fantastic taste. Spot on.
5 – Presentation: Beautifully presented. The bread and pickles, plus chutney on a separate plate, were genius.
5 – Salad, etc.: Fresh, tasty, nice dressing that delivered a little herbiness. Fresh-made coleslaw is executed very well.
5 – Originality: The additions of beetroot, Scotch egg, and pork pie, not as substitutes for superb ham, cheese, or pickles, were beyond the expected. The bread was knockout.
Food total: 60 – a full house.
Beverages
10 – Drinks: The tea was perfect. Their own blend is served in a teapot with china. Lots of other drinks, including some excellent milkshakes and hot chocolates.
Drinks Total: 10
The venue
10 – Service: Excellent service. Warm welcome and helpful staff, even accommodating a large group with a wheelchair. Food arrived promptly despite the group size.
10 – Atmosphere: Really nice, especially for a garden centre cafe. The dining area was spacious and pleasant, located in a capacious building with seasonal plants outside.
4 – Location: Beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, though a bit hidden. Pleasant overall, just not picture-postcard perfect.
4 – Toilets: The toilets were good, but no fully accessible disabled toilet. However, baby-changing facilities were available.
Venue total: 28
Total Score: 98
Editors note: While this is now the top of the list for excellent ploughman’s lunch, the main reason for this project was to warn the unwary of the awful. To this day, I have not found another as truly awful as the one that inspired me to start reviewing these offerings.
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