Minchellas, the seafront, South Shields

It's been a lovely South Shields day today.  Sun, music in the park, washing drying on the line, and a sudden longing for a cafe bellisimo at Minchellas.  I haven't had one of those for ages, and the time was when Wombat and I used to drink them regularly...

To my shame, I haven't checked out the new, expanded Minchellas either.  It's now got toilets, far more inside seating (though today most people were outside on the patio area).  The entrance has moved from the side to the back as well.

I sat in the 'new bit' inside to enjoy my bellisimo.  I waited patiently for the icecream to melt into the coffee and carefully spooned the squirty cream off the top before slurping the rest through the straw provided.  It really doesn't get better than this.  Bellisimo all round, really.

Alas! Macaris! Allez Eastcliff!

I'm just here musing on a week's holiday in the West Country, cafes I have known and loved, and the price of a cheese toastie.  How things change.  Just as the 1950s themed icecream parlour takes off in all parts of the country, Macaris on Torquay seafront which was the archetypal 1950s themed etc etc has reinvented itself as a pizzeria cafe bar!  That covers all bases, except of course for people like me who want an evening stroll by the seafront rounded off with a lovely coffee maybe with cake but definitely not with pizza.  Though I have to admit that if Macaris was relying on my custom they would have been out of business years ago.  Wouldn't it be ironic if someone opened up an old-style Macaris right next door?

But out with the old, in with the new!  We have discovered a delightful seaside cafe at Teignmouth!  The Eastcliff cafe has a sheltered spot right near the lido where you can enjoy sea views and sea air and a cheese toastie that is half the price of some other establishments in the town.  The more expensive varieties seem to be distinguished only by a salad garnish but that is based on rumour not research - good reason to go back!  The Eastcliff's mugs are worth a look too  and I for one will keep calm and keep on coming back.

Fuchsia Restaurant, on the balcony, Market Square, Newton Abbot

I remember the Fuchsia Restaurant when it was at the indoor bowling centre and served a mean ham, egg and chips!  Free parking and you could watch the gee gees go by on race days.  For some years now, they've nestled above the market and I read in the MDA recently that a serving soldier requested a batch of their scones be sent to him in Afghanistan.  Scones that inspire such loyalty in our troops need investigating, and today a friend and I climbed the stairs from the market square to do just that!

Walking in, the Fuchsia struck me as clean, quiet and orderly.  All the tables were neatly laid with burgundy-coloured cloths and some were obviously set for lunch.  It was a little disconcerting to see that most of the tables were reserved, but the staff were very friendly and did point out where we could sit.  They also pointed out the special deals available and so it was that we settled down to enjoy a cheese scone and coffee for £1.95.  Can't go wrong.  Even lattes were only £1.65 which is as reasonably priced as I've seen anywhere.

The scones were very tasty - cheese and black pepper - served with two pats of butter.  I can see why they would be a tonic for the troops.  Could they bring about world peace, I wonder, if we were to offer them to our enemies? 

We sat long over the scones and coffee, putting our individual worlds to rights.  Just before 12, the cafe started to fill up.  We saw why all the tables were reserved.  Fuchsia obviously has a fan club who come every Wednesday (maybe every day!) for lunch.  And that to me is the best recommendation of all, regular customers who come back and back.  The Christmas Menu was on display (yes, really) and I would advise you to book now - I have a feeling that the Fuchsia will be busy.