Gardeners' Kitchen Restaurant in Northwich, Arley

Reviews

1. Sheryl ★★★★☆

   Not a very efficient ordering method and quite slow even with only a moderate patronage, but I do like that the order is made in front of you and the staff are extremely friendly and accommodating. A bright, open space with plenty of seating, but a little echoey with increased usage. The menu of the day is a board by the service station, which is quickly obscured by any kind of queue, so you really have to be queued before knowing what you want to order. You also have to queue with the food orders just to order a hot drink at the opposite end of the counter, which is very inconvenient and time consuming. I ordered a Feta, Halloumi + Red Pepper Tart with Basil Oil Dressing, Salad + Wedges. The tart needed to be hotter and I couldn't taste anything besides the feta, even a mouthful of only halloumi tasted like feta. The salad was too cold really, but very fresh. The coleslaw was very tasty, if a little heavy on the mayonnaise. The wedges were great with the right amount of flaky salt and crispy to soft texture ratio. I also had a slice of carrot cake which had a very well spiced, rich, deep flavour and was fluffy and moist with sultanas within the cake and walnuts on topping the silky smooth, light and creamy buttercream.

   1 year ago
2. Jamie C ★☆☆☆☆

   When we visited there were next to no vegan options, you could have a potato or crisps. Frustrating as there were vegetable based dishes which could easily be vegan but weren't. The queues were incredibly long and people were waiting for over 30 minutes to be served. The outdoor setting is nice, being next to the hall on a lawned area. There is also an indoor area if the weather is not great. I don't think I'll visit Arley Hall again but if I do, I'll be taking my own food.

   almost 2 years ago
3. Tim J ★★★★☆

   Food here is generally good - light lunch and coffe/cake options. They do a sandwich/crisps/cake box for children and have some vegetarian and vegan options (the soup was good). Service can be a little slow but the staff are pleasant and the coffee was decent (also appreciated that plant milks were available).

   almost 3 years ago

1. Clara Travels ★☆☆☆☆

   Such a lovely setting in the Gardens, I pay the annual subscription to visit and the cafe is so disappointing. The coffee in particular is consistently bad, with barista prices but clearly no training for the staff in both the crafting of the drinks and the hygiene and customer service. I’m not alone on the opinion, look at the low rating and other’s opinions. Taking my own refreshments for future visits. Management really need to improve this café especially given the entrance fee to even use the place. No comment on the food as it’s mostly finished by 3pm when I visit despite being open until 5pm. Very poor all round.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Mark McDonald ★☆☆☆☆

   Popped in to buy a cake after a lovely walk round the gardens. Queue was rather long and it soon became apparent that they were using all 5 of their staff to serve one customer at a time only. I went to ask if you could just go and buy your cake to takeaway at the tills save waiting behind everyone who was ordering and having their food made in front of them there and then. I was told that it was a one queue only system. We consequently waited 30 mins in a queue just for cake. When it reached our turn we were just told to move down to the cakes to a different member of staff altogether! I asked why we had been made to wait after just being moved down and was told it was the 'logical' way to do things. I've never heard of anything so ludicrous and illogical in my life. Rude staff and overpriced food. Will not be returning. Especially after the woman making the sandwiches kept wiping snot onto her arm. Absolutely disgusting.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Ross T ★★☆☆☆

   Good and bad, setting is great, food is average. Very unlikely I will go again whilst they charge £6 to get in the place before you can even order - that makes a very expensive cappuccino!

   almost 4 years ago

1. Elizabeth Robinson ★★☆☆☆

   Lovely setting and friendly service but mediocre food - supermarket roll with the soup when it was described as crusty bread. Tables not cleared. Not busy so wondered how it would be at busy time. Nice coffee but weak tea.

   more 7 years ago
2. martha grandas ★☆☆☆☆

   We had a slice of multicoloured cake and it was the size of a pea. We complained and got another slice even smaller than the last. The cake looked like someone had vomited all over it, it was a mess. Next we saw the people next to us and they had the biggest slice ever. I was very annoyed and disappointed just like my other family members. #favouritism #cutmycakebiggernexttime

   more 7 years ago
3. melita mather ★★★★★

   Been a few times now and consistently had outstanding afternoon tea including vegan (and for only £12.95 per head). Variety of diets happily catered for. Friendly unobtrusive staff. Highly recommend.

   more 8 years ago

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