Lemon Jelli, Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot

We've been watching as the old Courtenay Arms has gradually morphed into Lemon Jelli, and at last it is open for business, and as I had some time to kill too good an opportunity to waste!

In I went, and I have to say the layout is very similar to the old Courtenay where many a mis-spent youth was had.  The atmosphere is quite different however.  There is a French vibe going on, with posters, plaques etc around the walls.  There is wooden flooring and the tables aren't crowding in on each other, making it a good place to meet and chat.  Even a sofa-phobe like me would be tempted by the gorgeously upholstered example in the window, and the bench that I sat on was upholstered in a lovely striped fabric.

I ordered tea and a cookie (£1.80, just enough to pay) and felt quite at home.  There's a menu of snacks displayed in an avante garde manilla folder with treasury tag, and an evening menu is promised.

The place in the Market Hall remains open apparently, this town should be big enough for both the Lemon Jellis

The Park Cafe, Queen Street, Newton Abbot

I was off to Plymouth for the day today with my oldest and best friend.  (She'll hate the oldest bit!).  And I thought it would be nice to have tea and cake on the train, but would there be a buffet car?  The solution was to visit The Park Cafe for two takeaway teas and a pack of two rock buns.
The Park Cafe has been a fixture in Newton for as long as I can remember. I walked past it when I was a child, I went in as a young adult brandishing zillions of Readers Union luncheon vouchers and getting in the cigarette orders for my colleagues.  Now the counter has all but gone and the interior is given over to a chairs and tables.  Where were they before?  Must have been out at the back.
We entered at the same time as a 'regular' who my friend had met before around the town.  Generously he allowed us to be served first.  I must confess I found him difficult, but the staff treated him with care and understanding and courtesy - signs in my book of an establishment that is fulfilling a valuable social as well as an economic role.  Hurrah for the Park Cafe!
The journey to Plymouth was made all the more fun by attempting to open polystrene cups in a crowded carriage and spreading crumbs far and wide (my mouth does occasionally miss a few).  And I had better record our other food sins of the day at the Strand Tearooms on the Barbican and in the coffee lounge of BHS.  I myself rounded off the day with chips from Jacksons.  Happy?  I certainly was.

The Country Table, Bank Street, Newton Abbot

And while I'm at it, this is another one that feels comfy!  It's had a bit of a facelift in recent years and no longer feels quite so hardcore wholemeal - though it does indeed cater for vegan and gluten free needs.  It's obviously still the place of choice for large numbers of Newtonians. The front seating is round nice tables with nice patterned cloths with nice displays of old china, tastefully lit.  There is more seating through the back, but I confess I have never yet ventured there.  Cakes, coffee, staff all nice.

The Pizza Cafe, Queen Street, Newton Abbot

Seeing as I have practically lived in this place over the weekend, I thought I'd better write about it!  It's the natural place (for me) to meet in Newton.  As soon as the question arises it's 'well, let's go to the Pizza Cafe' it seems that everyone else does too.  It's light and bright and friendly and has obviously built up and kept a good reputation over the years.
Friday I went for pizza with a friend (American Graffiti, since you ask) followed by 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' which involved loads of icecream, cinder toffee, maple syrup and mini jelly babies.  The place was pleasantly full of birthday parties and people popping in for takeaway.  The waitresses are young (even younger than policemen I think) but all seemed to know their job and did it well - friendly, customer focussed, efficient.
This evening I popped in for a coffee with a friend and we were made just as welcome.  Actually, the coffee turned into Hot Chocolate on the Rocks which involves icecream, whipped cream, chocolate flakes and mini marshmallows.  It has to be a big cup to allow room for the hot chocolate.  We were in early, but even on a wet Sunday, people were coming in.
Here's hoping 2012 is a good year for the Pizza Cafe!