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Foodies of the future - where to eat in Wells by Natalya Zeman and Jamie Mackay from Wells Cathedral School Although the arrival of Starbucks and Subway has threatened to turn the quintessential market town of Wells into a globalised supermarket... fear not! The historic city offers a variety of delightful restaurants. Whether you’re out for a light lunch, quick snack or elegant dinner you’re sure to find the perfect place in Somerset, probably in Wells itself. We asked members of Wells Cathedral Schools sixth form to suggest their top five places to eat if they had to foot the bill themselves and if they were being treated. Top 5 if paying themselves Anton’s Bistro Undoubtedly the best deal for eating out in Wells. Situated in the picturesque market place, the restaurant offers traditional English cuisine that’s great value for money. Three courses will set you back only around £15 and drinks are not extortionately priced either! The menu is small but there is a large range of options from salads and light bites to stir fry’s and steaks. Anton’s also serves one of the best Sunday lunches in the area. 01749 673457 ASK As far as corporate chain restaurants go ASK must surely be at the forefront. Although the food is fairly typical Italian it is of a high quality and is well worth the money. The main advantage of eating at ASK however, is the situation. Built in the old post office building near Wells Town Hall, the environment is hugely spacious, with high ceilings and minimalist decoration. Perfect for a large party of diners. One sixth former, Nick Hill, stood firm in his support for the place stating ‘it has nice loos, a large menu and I like pizza!’ If a quick, cheerful pizza filled meal is what you are after ASK is perfect! 01749 677681 Café Romna Although this stretches the purse strings of a sixth form budget it is a fantastic place to visit with a few friends. The food is described as Bangladeshi fusion cuisine but in layman’s terms this essentially just means very spicy! That is not to suggest for a second that the dishes are not subtle and interesting however. House specialities such as the ‘Monipuree’ (a particularly exciting dish of grilled prawns in a wholemeal pancake with onion, chilli and ginger sauce) are the best of their kind. A word of caution however, despite the reasonable price for main courses the deserts; starters and drinks can add to the overall price considerably. more 01749 670240 Wookey Hole Inn In terms of the ideal pub lunch it doesn’t come much better than the Wookey Hole Inn. The menu is nothing out of the ordinary; you can expect your typical steak or fish and chips at a high standard. But, what really sets this pub apart from its competitors is the regular live jazz music. Bands from around Somerset frequently visit, not just in the evening but at lunch as well and occasionally take requests from the audience of diners. This helps to create a relaxed informal environment for a cheap but tasty meal out. Close to the stunning Wookey Hole Gorge this is the perfect place for a Sunday lunch after a long walk. ‘The staff are really friendly’ commented one student. The Inn offers an exotic meat option, definitely worth trying. And, we particularly recommend the sticky toffee pudding, which has been described as ‘the best in the world!’ 01749 676677 The Good Earth Vegetarian cfae/restaurant/shop, the Good Earth provides an extraordinarily high standard of cooking. The soups of the day are always magnificent and a large bowl will only set you back £2.20. Besides soup the menu varies greatly, from pizzas and stir fry’s to lasagnes and chilli dishes. What doesn’t vary however is the exceptional quality of the ingredients. This is perfect for a quick, healthy and cheap lunch out. 01749 678600 Top 5 if being treated Goodfellows Goodfellows offers fantastic service and some unusual but effective recipes. The selection is almost exclusively seafood, prepared freshly with the chefs on view. Besides the fact that the food itself is always exquisite and uniquely French in style, part of the pleasure of dining here is in the presentation of the food, which simply has to be seen to be believed. There is a wonderful light lunch menu, two courses and wine for only £10. As well as the indoor space there is outdoor seating, which is wonderful in the summer. If a cake and coffee is what you are after Goodfellows also doubles as a café. The cakes are divine. Don’t miss out on the free homemade chocolate available with every programme picked up at Wells Cathedral School’s lunchtime concerts (every Tuesday and Thursday). 01749 673866 The Old Spot In terms of quality of food The Old Spot is most certainly one of the best restaurants in the South West. The chef Ian Bates spent several years working under the genius of Simon Hopkinson from London’s Bibendum and this certainly shows. The menu is simple but flavoursome and subtle, a particular speciality being organic salmon with red chilli and coriander served with avocado puree. Although requiring a slightly higher budget than that of the average sixth form student the menu represents fantastic value for money. more 01749 689099 The Riverside The only downside about dining at the riverside is it is almost impossible to stop eating! The food is traditional Indian cuisine and the service very efficient. It’s hard to resist the ordering of many courses which eventually add up to a huge final meal. One of the best features is the serving of tandoori dishes on still smoking pans brought directly to the table. 01749 672100 Glencot House Glencot House simply serves the best Sunday Lunch you are likely to find in the South West! Traditional Roast beef, chicken and lamb are the specialities, but the starters and deserts are equally delicious. Three courses cost £30, the setting, a beautiful Victorian Mansion, stacked full of priceless antiques and overlooking the River Axe, is more than enough to justify this. Perfect for a family outing . 01749 677160 Although the sizes of the portions at Café piano would not fill the most strapping of sixth formers, the food itself is very enjoyable. The menu is typical English cuisine such as sausages with mashed potato and red onion gravy, or roast chicken breasts. However, what makes Café Piano such a fantastic place to dine is the music and the ambience. The dining room makes use of atmospheric low lighting and wood panels with pictures of the great jazz legends scattered across the walls. At weekends singers, pianists and jazz groups entertain patrons with a consistently high standard of music. more 01749 677772
Cafe Piano Find out more about Wells Cathedral School . . . More suggestions for Eating Out in Wells . . . |
