Ultimately taste is the only thing that counts. Whether it’s a cafe, gastropub or restaurant, however fancy pants the establishment, the flavour of the food is what builds a reputation.
And although simple, Cherry Tree Cafe in Eynsham has got it in bucket loads.
‘every mouthful delivered, the huge bountiful portions groaning with fresh produce and ingredients’
It’s an interesting concept, the Cherry Tree Cafe hidden at the back of The Market Garden (formerly Eynsham Emporium), a grocery shop and a whole lot more besides.
Venture in and you’ll find Cherry Tree Cafe – a small, snug, eccentric, brightly coloured interior with a larger outdoor eating area.
Serving food until 5pm everyday, both its brunch and lunch menu stretching seductively into mid afternoon, another big draw is that Cherry Tree Cafe uses produce from its farm a few miles away in Long Hanborough, working with local charity Farmability to grow a variety of fruit and veg.
there is so much to choose from, including eggs every which way – from Benedict to scrambled, Royale, Turkish, eggs with harissa or feta, Cacklebean reigning supreme
Which made the menu even more enticing. And there is so much to choose from, including a stellar fry up section for carnivores, veggies and vegans, including pancake stacks, breakfast baps and eggs every which way you can – from Benedict to scrambled, Royale, Turkish, eggs with harissa or feta, Cacklebean reigning supreme here.
But under the Pesto Eggs section (£14.80) it was the Green Eggs (two Cacklebean eggs cooked in basil pesto, served with avocado and topped with either crispy bacon or halloumi, crispy onions, rocket, and a balsamic glaze on local sourdough) – that caught our eye.
it was the Green Eggs (two Cacklebean eggs cooked in basil pesto, served with avocado and topped with crispy bacon or halloumi, crispy onions, rocket, and a balsamic glaze on local sourdough) – that caught our eye
The drinks menu is equally as extensive – every kind of tea, coffee, milkshake, juice or smoothie known to man, which meant that choosing was even harder. After much deliberation, the Detox Zing (blueberry, banana, ginger, courgette, carrot), where you could literally taste each and every component.
There is also a full milkshake section – choose your ice cream from 12 flavours – in this case raspberry ripple – and Bob’s your uncle. A bit of a calorie extravagance admittedly, but it was worth every sip – rich creamy with a kick of fruit and syrup.
There is also a full milkshake section – choose your ice cream from 12 flavours and bob’s your uncle
The lunch menu boasted some exciting sandwiches – no meagre ham and cheese, or egg and cress, options here, but the likes of Ruben’s Reuben – pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut and mustard, the Figgy Stardust – sweet, sticky fig chutney meets tangy feta and peppery rocket, or the Cherry Tree Club(ish) with chicken, crispy bacon, tomato, lettuce and avocado, chipotle mayo, lettuce, mayo, finished with creamy avocado.
But the Hot Honey Halloumi had our name on it – golden halloumi in chilli-spiked Hanborough honey, with avocado, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato and red onion served in a baguette or bagel from (£9.95). Choices made.
The Hot Honey Halloumi had our name on it – golden halloumi in chilli-spiked Hanborough honey, with avocado, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato and red onion
It’s table service here and the staff are lovely, if slightly undermanned due to its popularity, the female team both cooking and serving.
And every mouthful delivered, the huge bountiful portions groaning with fresh produce and ingredients; the green eggs (fried) layered with a whole avocado, beautifully sliced, dripping in pesto, the fried halloumi, enhanced by the onions, rocket and balsamic creating quite the bite.
The baguette, sliced in two, was packed with sauce, heat, cheese, the sweetness vying with the chipotle mayo and the crunch of lettuce, onion and tomato. Bloody delicious!
Despite the extensive portions, the ice cream menu was still beckoning, all the old-fashioned classics from knickerbocker glories to banana splits and chocolate sundaes all on offer, but the Biscoff sundae caught our eye – Biscoff ice cream, Biscoff crumble, Biscoff sauce, squirty cream and a crispy wafer, (£8.50) served with two spoons (see main pic). All we needed was the seaside.
the ice cream menu was still beckoning, all the old-fashioned classics from knickerbocker glories to banana splits and chocolate sundaes
All in for under £50 for two. We couldn’t believe our luck! Led back through the shop full of exciting goodies, food and gifts, we marvelled that it’s taken us so long to find The Cherry Tree Cafe, an emporium indeed or even a culinary Aladdin’s Cave.
The Cherry Tree Cafe in Eynsham is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm. https://cherrytreecafe.co.uk
