The privilege of being out and about on a crisp autumn morning, with the leaves changing hue, and the first frost of the season sharp on the ground, is not to be taken for granted, at a time when our news feeds deliver a constant stream of misery and suffering from around the world.
A woodland wander does wonders to soothe the soul, and so it was that on a recent Sunday, my sister and I jogged a beautiful route through the trees at the foot of Roseberry Topping – slightly off the well-beaten track where the masses climb the famous peak, but still busy enough with dog walkers and fellow runners.
Our loop, starting and finishing in Great Ayton, took us past Fletcher's Farm, already decked out in spooky accessories ready for Halloween, including a perfectly-spaced patch of pumpkins ready for picking by young visitors.
But the farm's popular restaurant was not our destination this time, and for the rest of the route, past the packed sports ground where Sunday football was in full swing for all ages, and back over the River Leven, I mused on just when pumpkins replaced turnips, or swedes, for the carving of Halloween lanterns.
Slowly chipping out the insides of a swede with a half-blunt vegetable peeler before chopping out some rustic triangles for a wonky face is more character-building, surely, than hollowing out a decidedly squishier pumpkin?
Anyway, our run complete, and appetite sufficiently built up, we drove the short distance to Stokesley, where we landed upon Sadlers Cafe & Bistro for brunch. Sadlers is a family-run cafe that turns into a bistro for three evenings a week, and every time I've called in previously, it has been busy with customers.
This Sunday, at about 11am was no different, and we grabbed one of the few free tables, sitting in the window overlooking Stokesley High Street, with plenty of that brilliant blue sky on show.
On warmer days, Sadlers has outside seating, but with the post-run chill setting in, we were glad to be indoors, where we could admire the many eclectic items which decorate the cafe's nooks and crannies. From a saxophone on one wall, to framed music posters, to clever, but cosy lighting, the effect is both interesting, and stylish.
The breakfast menu, which was on offer until 11.30am, includes a full English, and a vegetarian version, plus eggs benedict, smashed avocado on toast, bacon and sausage sandwiches, scones and teacake.
Our run wasn't really lengthy enough to justify a full English, but I ordered one anyway, hoping it would be the quality-rather-than-quantity type, and I was not disappointed. The key components were excellent – tasty, well cooked bacon and a nicely-flavoured, meat-filled sausage. The poached egg could have been slightly more done, but, shockingly, I really enjoyed the mushrooms, which is highly unusual for me.
My sister Claire chose the smashed avocado on sour dough rye toast with two poached eggs and mushrooms. While fairly small in scale, again, the quality was evident, with her eggs winning praise for being a perfect state of runnyness. The avocado was fresh and unfussy – some venues have taken to adding in things like chilli and lime, but happily, that was not the case here.
Service throughout was prompt and really friendly, with nothing too much trouble for either us or diners at nearby tables. We got some sweet treats to take away for later – a divine chocolate brownie, packed with chocolate chunks, for me, and a classic millionaire shortbread for Claire. With three hot drinks, the bill came to a very reasonable £34.85.
While paying up (and perusing the cakes), the specials board for later meals caught our eyes, with some mouthwatering offerings, as did the signs advertising Sunday lunches.
More breakfast reviews here:
- Eating Out: Do you fancy breakfast at The Wandering Duck?
- Breakfast at this coffee house - a café that really cares about what it serves
- What we thought of cooked breakfast - and the welcome - at this North Yorkshire cafe
After such a good breakfast, we plan to go back to sample more of the menu – and enjoy yet more of the wonderful surrounding countryside that we are so lucky to have on our doorsteps.
Sadlers Cafe & Bistro
59-61 High Street, Stokesley TS9 5AB
01642 956066
https://www.sadlersbistro.co.uk/
Closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday, 11am-4pm, Thursday, 11am-10pm, Friday and Saturday, 11am-11pm, and Sunday, 10am-5pm
Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 8, Surroundings 8, Service 9, Value 8
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