Charlotte Smith-Jarvis uncovers ‘hidden’ eatery Berridges restaurant in the centre of Ipswich
Dial Lane in Ipswich, with its clutch of independent shops, is a little oasis from the main throng of the town’s busy high street.
And it’s also home to a ‘not so secret’ hidden restaurant. How many times have you walked past Berridges jewellers, unbeknownst there’s a place to eat up above the ground floor of dazzling diamonds?
Situated on the first floor, and with a dedicated kitchen above this, Berridges restaurant is a petite but perfectly formed little spot for a slice of cake and a hot drink, or even a full lunch.
The eatery was recently redecorated in calming pastel colours, and does feel a million miles away from the centre of town, despite its central location.
A view from the window reveals only the adjacent church and pretty floral displays on the sill.
Everything, apart from bread, is made on the premises at Berridges, including the impressive cakes, which are irresistibly positioned amongst the tables.
Food-wise, you can expect nicely presented classics. Open sandwiches (toppings include chicken and fresh mango, traditional baked ham and chutney and egg, tomato and cress), closed sandwiches and salads.
There are specials every day too. Crisp quiches. Chilli con carne. Cottage pie. Soup.
While deliberating over the menu we couldn’t help but have a ‘starter’ of a cheese scone between us to whet our appetites.
It was as good a version of the classic as either of us had ever had. You could tell it was freshly made as it was still tender in the middle, and a good quality strong cheese and mustard had been used for a fantastic, moreish flavour.
Afterwards, we couldn’t quite believe the quantity of food we received for the price (which was good value).
Nicola was served an enormous plate of seafood salad, which she genuinely couldn’t finish. Prawns, crab meat and salmon were accompanied by a seafood dressing, lemon, homemade coleslaw and a variety of salad vegetables plus potatoes and egg.
It could not be faulted.
Despite its soupiness, I couldn’t help but love the restaurant’s take on petit pois a la francaise – that classic of peas cooked in stock with lettuce and bacon.
My bowl was bursting with tender chicken pieces, leeks, peas and spring cabbage, in a creamy, but not rich, stock that was nicely balanced. With a side dish of vegetables and new potatoes, it was a more than filling lunch.
We both liked the additional touch of a basket of bread served with our lunch – with proper butter too.
And onto the cakes. How could we decide? Chocolate cake, fruit tarts, apple crumble tart, fig crumble slices, millionaire’s shortbread- the array on offer was enormous.
Eventually we settled on a gluten-free chocolate cake and the lemon meringue pie.
The chocolate cake was a tiny bit dry in parts – but then it was the very last slice. It was obviously homemade (using good ingredients too) and was almost indistinguishable from a ‘normal’ chocolate cake made with white flour. The fudge icing was dreamy and not too sweet.
Our favourite treat though had to be the lemon pie which, apparently, is the restaurant’s bestseller. As you can see from the picture, it is a rather generous wedge. But, despite its size, the pie wasn’t heavy. The pastry was nicely made, the filling tart, and the meringue was heavenly – really really fluffy and cloudlike, with that gorgeous crispy top you always hope to find. I’ll be coming back for that alone!
Contact:
Berridges restaurant, 4 Dial Lane Ipswich.
Call 01473 225525.
Open 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Bookings are recommended for lunchtimes.
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