Therefore,
today I met up with Andrew (who is notoriously hard to please) at Hard to
Please House (HTPH) in Aylsham for a trip to the Old Dairy at Stanfield. It has
previously been reviewed as the Barn and Hamptons at the Barn, both of which
used to sell home furnishing tat as well as being a cafe so I was keen to see
how it performed in its latest pure cafe guise.
The
forecast was not good with strong winds and rain forecast as the weather had
turned distinctly autumnal. Fortunately, we both had our shake dry Gore
waterproof tops. It is the best waterproof I have ever had. Andrew had
recommended it and as he is notoriously hard to please then I knew I was on to
a winner. I have used it all through the damp spring and summer weather and
remained dry.
The weather
was dry when we set off but after a few miles it started to rain so I stopped
by a field of sunflowers to put my waterproof on. I asked Andrew why he wasn't
putting his on. He revealed that he had never used it as he didn't want to
spoil it by getting it wet! As the rain got heavier, I eventually persuaded him
to put it on and he reluctantly broke it in.
 |
| About to put my waterproof on in a field of sunflowers |
 |
| Outside todays target cafe |
 |
| Todays smallish but effective cake selection |
I'm always nervous at the next part of my cycle cafe review process. The system demands I have a hot chocolate while my cycling guest/s review the coffees and teas under the guest hot drink category. However, over the years, I have realised that a cheap hot chocolate powdered drink is quite unpleasant so I now ask what type it is before ordering. If it is the rubbish sort, I just give it a standard 5 out of 10 and have a nice pot of tea instead.
However,
there was no such problem here as there was an actual Hot Chocolate menu with a
selection of strengths and varieties. Fantastic!
 |
| Hot chocolate menu |
I opted
for a Vanuatu chocolate from Malekula island as I was attracted by its cherry,
lemon and white grape tones.
On the
cake front it was brownie and, as Andrew wasn't caking with his pot of tea, I
took some home so Mrs Crusader could help with the cake ratings.
When the
hot chocolate arrived it certainly lived up to expectations and was one of the
best, I have had in ages so top marks although I couldn't detect
the cherry, lemon and white grape tones. It was more chocolate
flavour. As confirmed by Mrs Crusader then the brownie was pretty good
too.
 |
| Top hot chocolate |
Any cafe
which has, and then delivers on its hot chocolate menu automatically deserves a
visit and with the nice cakes and pleasant setting as well then, I highly
recommend you go.
On the
way back the weather couldn't make its mind up, so it was waterproofs on, just
as it was stopping raining and waterproofs off just before it started again.
Although Andrew didn't bother putting his on in case it got wet again.
 |
| It was water proofs off, or possibly on again |
Next week
I return to Terrace Cafe (see last review Damn Knees) as I forgot to have a hot
chocolate when I reviewed it so need to complete the process. So pop back to
see the hot chocolate update
|
Guest Hot Drink Quality |
Effective Cake Selection |
Cake Quality |
Ambiance and Atmosphere |
Café Rating |
|
|
8.95 |
7 |
6 |
7.6 |
7.4 |
7.39 |
Click here to download 48 Mile Aylsham Stanfield loop gpx file to your gps
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