with Mark Davison
Waterlilly Café and Bistro, Anvil Court, Blacksmith Road, The Acres, Horley RH6 9FD
E VERY so often I get word of a new café or teashop that has opened in Surrey and with it a recommendation that I should pay a visit.
I was chatting with a former colleague of mine who lives in Horley and she said I really should try out a new café which has opened on a new housing estate on the edge of the town near Langshott.
It is in Blacksmith Road, she said. I was not familiar with this road but she pointed me in the direction of The Acres, which has been built on farmland close to Lake Lane and a few hundred yards from The Farmhouse public house.
It was a spring-like afternoon and the sun was quite warm. Such a refreshing change after all that winter rain in recent weeks.
I pulled into The Acres and could barely recognise the area compared to how it used to be.
After weaving my way through the various roads in this new neighbourhood, I found Blacksmith Road, but not the café.
At the end, some builders were working on plots and I wound down the window and asked one of the helmeted guys: "Excuse me do you know where there's a teashop in Blacksmith Road?
He smiled and said: "Yes there is. It's in that building down there."
I thanked him profusely, found a parking space and stared up at Anvil Court.
The front door opened and sure enough, there was a sign directing people to the restaurant.
Menus were displayed on the door along with the opening times.
It was a large, sunny lounge, with tables neatly laid out. A gentleman chef appeared and was most genial.
"I see you close at 3.30pm. Have I got time for a cup of tea and a cake?" I asked.
"Sure," he said, smiling.
I soon gleaned that this affable chap was the chef and owner of the catering business. His name was Abraham.
I took a seat and ordered a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of home-made marble cake.
"Would you like scones and jam?" he enquired. I didn't take much persuading.
He disappeared to prepare the tea and I sat back and perused the menu.
I was amazed to see the large range of breakfasts, lunches and Sunday roasts available at such reasonable prices.
I'm sure many people do not know it exists.
While serving me the cakes and hot beverage, I asked Abraham what it was all about.
"I worked for 16 years in catering on a cruise ship," he said. "But really I wanted to run my own business. I became a head chef at a hotel in Newbury and now I've got two restaurants – one in Berkshire and one in Oxford. Now I've this one here in Horley."
He said he was a trained pastry chef and specialised in sugarcraft and puddings. On his mobile phone he proudly showed me pictures of some of his wonderful sugarcraft creations, including a palace and a pink pelican. The latter was in aid of a charity of the same name.
I learned that the restaurant, though in a residential home comprising 60 flats for elderly people who mainly live independently, is open to the wider public.
"We have a mums' group who meet here," he said. "On Sundays I do roasts – £7 for beef or lamb, and chicken for £5.50."
He also has a cinema club event and welcomes mums and toddlers for breakfast. Soon there will be a play area for the youngest customers.
"We also have a senior citizens' lunch club," he said.
I sipped the hot chocolate and enjoyed a bite of the marble cake.
The menu revealed a marvellous range of meals available, including daily specials and the more traditional English favourites such as sausages and mash (£5.49) and cottage pie (£5.99).
Among the other dishes on offer were sweet and sour pork (£5.49), penne carbonara (£4.99) and spinach and rocotta cannelloni (£5.99).
There are finger buffets and fork buffet menus, too, if four or more are ordering.
The puddings are varied and include traditional spotted dick with custard, and bread and butter pudding.
Full English breakfasts are served (regular, £4.50 and large, £6.50).
I spread the jam on the scones and took another sip from the hot chocolate.
"Joy to the World" was playing in the background.
I learned that the cafe's coffee is made with Italian Lavazza beans – "the best" said Abraham.
This tireless chef said he also can cater for birthday parties and wakes.
I told him I couldn't easily find the place and he replied that, regrettably, he had been asked to remove the banner from the front of the building because some nearby neighbours had complained to the council.
"I've applied for a drinks licence, which is good if you're serving Sunday lunches," he told me. "I'm planning to do new menus every new season he said and if people have suggestions that would be welcome."
He pointed to the patio.
"In the summer we can have teas in the garden, which will be nice."
