Little black book
Ryan Kelly, co-owner of Thistledown Farm and Fieldfare Café, shares his favourite foodie hotspots…
Quick!
Now add this little lot to your contacts book James Gourmet; jamesgourmetcoffee.com Henry’s at Woefuldane Organic Dairy, Minchinhampton GL6 9BW; 01453 886855 Raffles Fine Wines, Nailsworth GL6 0DU; raffles-wines.com The Crown, Frampton Mansell GL6 8JG; thecrowninn-cotswolds.co.uk The Little George, Stroud GL5 3DP; stroudmicropub.co.uk Capreolus Distillery; capreolusdistillery.co.uk William’s Food Hall & Oyster Bar, Nailsworth GL6 0BL; williamsfoodhall.co.uk TEA on the WAY, Clun SY7 8NZ; 07795 275557 The Green Café, Ludlow SY8 1EG; thegreencafe.co.uk Stroud Brewery, Stroud GL5 2BU; stroudbrewery.co.uk Star Anise, Stroud GL5 1QG; staraniseartscafe.com The Pavilion, Stroud GL5 2TL; thepavilionstroud.co.uk The Passage to India, Nailsworth GL6 0DU; thepassagetoindia.com Thai Basil, Thornbury BS35 2AH; thaibasilthornbury.com Baked by Beth, Stroud GL5 3SS; bakedbybeth.co.uk Coffee & Crumb, Littledean GL14 3NH; coffeeandcrumb.co.uk Cococaravan; cococaravan.co.uk Siena Pizza Co.; sienapizza.co Bison Kitchen; bisonkitchen.co.uk Hania Cheeses, Stroud GL6 8BE; 01453 884320
BEST BREW? The combination of coffee beans from James Gourmet and our own La Marzocco espresso machine means that coffee elsewhere in the area has been slightly ruined for me. That said, Henry’s in Minchinhampton do a very good flat white.
HIDDEN GEM? Okay, so it’s in
FAVOURITE GROCERY SHOP? The Farmers’ Market in Stroud is great for veg, especially Newark Farm. Betsy and Steve have brilliant organic stuff at unbeatable prices and they’re best comedy double act in town.
ONE TO WATCH? Salt Bakehouse,
BEST WINE MERCHANT? You always get knowledgeable and friendly service from Marcus at Raffles in Nailsworth. SUNDAY LUNCH? My favourite local
pub for food is probably The Crown at Frampton Mansell. It’s a lovely old building with great views and friendly staff, and the food is delicious. (I still dream about the trio of lamb I had there six years ago.) QUICK PINT? There’s a new micro pub
in Stroud, The Little George, which has a good selection of drinks and a nice, intimate atmosphere.
CHEEKY COCKTAIL? Anything mixed with spirits from Capreolus Distillery: their award-winning Garden Tiger gin makes an unbeatable G&T! We host tastings and talks from Capreolus, which are unmissable if you’ve an interest in spirits. POSH NOSH? You can’t beat a long
seafood lunch at William’s Food Hall and Oyster Bar – although it’s easy to spend far, far too much.
FOOD ON THE GO? In London I usually stay on Edgware Road, partly because my grandma lives there, but mainly for the amazing Lebanese kebabs! ALFRESCO FEASTING? We barbecue two or three times a week in summer, so we eat around the garden fire pit or use the clay oven when the café is closed.
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Shropshire, but TEA on the WAY is the epitome on a hidden gem. It’s almost worth the drive just for that and then lunch at The Green Café in Ludlow – which is one of the best cafés in the country, in my opinion! who supply our breads and patisserie. Exceptional sourdoughs from the BIA Baker of the Year!
WITH FRIENDS? Stroud Brewery is a great place to meet up for excellent beer, Velo Bakery pizzas and live music. COMFORT FOOD? Star Anise café in
Stroud, because I really like their toasted sandwiches. It’s very child-friendly, and is usually full of friendly faces.
WITH THE FAMILY? We have two kids under two, so anywhere with wipe-clean surfaces and plenty of space! BEST CURRY? We cook a lot of curries at home. If we go for a curry locally, we go to The Pavillion or The Passage to India, or Thai Basil in Thornbury. Curry is definitely one of the things I look forward to when visiting a city! SOMETHING SWEET? Baked by Beth for tiffin, and Coffee & Crumb for cinnamon and apple cake – both supply our café. Chocolate from Cococaravan is raw and vegan and very tasty too! TOP STREET FOOD? Most of the food
at Stroud Farmers’ Market is great, especially the falafel and raclette stalls and Girish’s Indian food. Elsewhere, the Sienna Pizza Co. van and Bison Kitchen are also really good.
BEST FOR CHEESE? Ken Hania of Hania
Cheeses is a great cheesemonger – and very knowledgeable and friendly.
✱ thistledown.org.uk
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