We had only ever been in Café V for a quick cuppa before catching a bus one day. It’s very handy for Beverley Bus Station, being a stone’s throw up Sow Hill Road.
On that first day we popped in, we clocked what people were eating and decided we must make a return visit to try the food. The occasion presented itself again earlier this week, with time on our hands in the town.
With the prospect of a relaxed lunch to come, me and my other half popped in to Café V late morning, to see if we could reserve a table (having noted how busy it can get). This was all sorted, with a smile and a promise that our table for two would be ready for us at 1.30pm.
On our return, a table by the window had been set aside. Another couple arriving ahead of us were making a beeline for it, but saw the reservation, written in highlighter pen on a saucer, so it remained ours for the taking.
Café V offers lots of choices, so it took us a bit of time to peruse and choose, but no one came over to take our order until we’d closed the menu and put it down. I liked that.
(Image: Deborah Hall/Hull Live)
(Image: Deborah Hall/Hull Live)
It’s sometimes the case, especially in a bustling place, for someone to be at your table before you’ve taken a breath let alone had chance to consider what you want to eat. I fancied the sound of Mumbled Eggs (scrambled eggs and mushrooms on a toasted muffin) and my partner went for Breakfast Hash (local butcher’s bacon, tomatoes, hash browns, peppers, red onions, chorizo and mushrooms with a fried egg and rustic bread).
While we waited for our food, we couldn’t help but note the pleasant greetings other customers received and the upbeat banter between the staff members who at one point also broke into a little song in the kitchen area, which is open to the café. They were such a jolly bunch, working well as a team, and I thought to myself, we might have found the happiest café in Beverley, here.
We were happy, too, when our food arrived. My plate was filled with perfectly-scrambled eggs and plenty of large and juicy slices of mushroom; my partner’s hash was served in a pan, a quirky little touch, and packed with flavour, he said, the addition of peppers, onions and chorizo bringing the more typical breakfast items to “another level”.
(Image: Deborah Hall/Hull Live)
We then chose to accompany the remains of our pot of tea and a large cappuccino with something sweet to finish. All the cakes looked tempting in their glass display case, but I homed in on a Bakewell slice.
My other half was delighted to discover that a deep apple pie, that he thought had all gone, had only been temporarily relocated to the kitchen. He ordered a slice with a serving of ice cream (custard and cream were also offered).
My Bakewell was delicious, with a soft and moist consistency and plenty of jam. The apple pie was deep indeed, packed with fruity chunks, and came with a helping of vanilla ice cream that would have been ample for the two of us.
We walked out of the café on a high, with a cheery farewell from the staff, feeling that our custom had truly been appreciated.