If it ain't broke don't fix it (Goodies food hall cafe, Pulham Market)

Goodies Food Hall Cafe,

Pulham Market,

Open Mon-Sat 9-4.00, Sun 9-3.30

Recommended

As yesterday was my birthday then what better way to celebrate, I thought, than a cafe cycle review. Therefore yesterday morning I set off, with guests Chris (wife) and Andrew (who is notoriously hard to please), to Goodies Food Hall Cafe near Pulham Market.

It was perfect weather, a clear blue sky and cooling breeze, as we set off down the pleasant lanes of the peaceful Norfolk country side. However it was not long before the peace was shattered by the start of a particularly annoying squeak emanating from Chris's bike. After a few minutes I could stand it no longer and insisted it was sorted. Last time she squeaked it was caused by brake rubbing on front wheel. Assuming the same problem I quickly tweaked the front brake and we set off again. Unfortunately, much to my annoyance, the squeak soon returned and after several more stops and various tweaks it still remained.

Another failed attempt to fix squeak.

To avoid being further stressed by the squeak I decided to leave Chris out of ear shot and cycle ahead with Andrew. This turned out to be no better as Andrew spent the whole time ranting about his disappointing experience on the 70 mile (or 80 mile in his case as he got lost) Bodiucca sportive we talked him into doing on Sunday. 

To get the birthday peace I was after I manoeuvred the group so that Andrew could whinge at Chris whilst she squeaked back and I dropped behind them out of ear shot. This worked well until we arrived at Goodies Food Hall Cafe.

Outside the welcoming entrance of Goodies Food Hall

We parked our bikes in the outside seating area where we could see them as with all the birthday excitement of opening presents and cards (to date consisting of 2 pairs socks, 1 bottle red wine, a loaf of bread and 6 packets of world cup stickers) I had forgotten to bring Alarmio to lock the bikes with.

We went inside and headed straight for the counter to look at the cake selection and award the effective cake selection (ECS) rating. There was a good selection and I need to make a couple of choices so I awarded a good ECS. 

Cake selection spread across counter and in display unit

Inside Goodies Food Hall Cafe there is an area of standard seating and outside there is a large field with a number of benches. Next to the indoor seating area is a sizable farm shop and crafts area which acts like a magnet to any passing OAP.

Unlocked bikes in Goodies Food Hall Cafe outdoor seating area

I ordered lemon slice cake with my hot chocolate. Chris went semi skinny mocha and coffee and walnut cake and Andrew (who was even harder to please than normal after his long Bodiucca rant) went cappuccino and egg and chips. As egg and chips is clearly not cake he took no further part in the cake rating part of the review.

Cakes and drinks ready for reviewing

My hot chocolate was exceptionally hot and once cooled was a reasonable good drink. Chris thought her Mocha was good and Andrew (who was even harder to please than normal after his long Bodiucca rant) found his cappuccino fairly good if a little weak (but he didn't like his chips). Myself and Chris both liked our cakes which scored well.

Overall Goodies Food Hall Cafe gave an all round consistent set of ratings and was a nice stop on an excellent route. The farm shop and crafts area had the added bonus that I could buy some cheese to go with my birthday loaf of bread for when I got home.

Whilst at Goodies Food Hall Cafe I had had a new idea on what the squeak on Chris's bike could be and after loosening off the back wheel the noise seemed to have gone. 

The return journey was much quieter as there was no squeak and Andrew (who was even harder to please than normal after his long Bodiucca rant) had calmed down and was now enjoying the views. Unfortunately half way back Chris decided to re tighten her front brake as loosening it had been a previously unnecessary failed attempt to fix the noise.To everyone's horror the squeak returned and despite further fixing attempts it would not go away again! 

View of typical peaceful Norfolk country side
to prove I'm not obsessed with just photographing cakes

With the next Norfolk Cafe Cycle Sportive on 31st May I'm now looking for volunteers to keep Chris and her squeak out of earshot.

Scores for Goodies Food Hall Cafe based on two visits.

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
6	6.5	7	7.5	6.25	6.65

Route

Click link 36 mile Norwich - Pulham Market loop to download GPX file for your GPS