Five great
places to eat Tapas at Chesters Church Street, Market Deeping During these summer months, if you can’t actually be in Spain, then Chesters is a great alternative way to sample some tasty tapas on a Thursday evening. Whether you’re in a crowd, a couple or on your own, sitting outside on a warm summer’s evening, surrounded by flowers in their lovely courtyard garden, provides a great setting for some tasty food prepared by Chef/Owner David. Of course, if the weather changes one can always take shelter inside. A great range of different tapas is available to mix and match as you wish, all washed down with a glass of wine or beer. What’s even better, get there early and there’s no need to book. Colin Gamble
Al Fresco
Five Horseshoes – Barholm Whenever anyone mentions dining out al fresco, doesn’t that just conjure up thoughts of a candlelit table, by a river with a setting sun? It does for me but we are surrounded by countryside and many delights yet to be discovered. One of the best is a Friday or Saturday evening at the Five Horseshoes. Dining here is a rustic affair, olde worlde pub with a large family friendly garden, nestling in a surround of trees, no sound of traffic or suburban living. Here Dale makes delicious home-made pizzas in his mobile Pizza Van with wood-fired burner. Great value at around £7.50 on average for an 11” pizza with a sunny garden to eat it in whilst the children play and find new friends. If you haven’t got children and want a quiet spot then the garden is big enough to distance yourselves. Don’t worry if it’s raining or turns cold, the lovely pub owners Matt and Emma encourage customers to bring the food indoors. Cycling is good; from Deeping take the A15 towards Bourne, turn left at the Langtoft crossoads and continue until you get to the next Stowe Road crossroads. Straight across and into Barholm village, go past the church on your right and take the next left and you’re there (about 4 miles). Matt and Emma and their friendly staff certainly do their best to welcome you and whilst they don’t do food in the week it’s still a great place to be outside in the open air. Tel 01778 560238 . David Milner Scudder 46
Lilli’s, Market Gate. Market Deeping One of my favourite treats is meeting friends for a light lunch at the quintessentially English tea room that is Lilli’s in the Market Place. Now that the summer months are upon us, what could be better than to enjoy that experience under shady umbrellas watching the world go by while enjoying delicious home-made cakes and sipping tea from cups of fine bone china. Sarah, the proprietor, is always on hand with a cheerful greeting and her staff are polite and helpful. Service with a smile is the rule of the day. The menu is varied, ranging from afternoon teas, sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes and soups. Then there are the home-made cakes ! Far too tempting to refuse. I think my favourite is the Bakewell Tart. For those with special dietary needs, there are gluten free options and milk substitutes. Children are well catered for too, with meal deals, luxury milk shakes and a variety of ice cream flavours. An oasis of calm, a chance to relax and enjoy a very English experience. Lynda Hall
