Yesterday, we went for breakfast at Yeo Valley, in their canteen. It's based in Blagdon, North Somerset (but they use Bristol in their address) in the Mendip Hills National Landscape (AONB), and has amazing views over Blagdon Lake.
I think I remember from when we used to go a few years ago, pre-pandemic, that it was the handiwork of a lady involved with the start up of Yeo Valley Organic, or at least very early in the journey of Yeo Valley. She loved interior design and made the staff canteen quite cool. That then evolved into letting members of the public in. Now it's a really great restaurant for breakfast and lunch, four days a week. It's open Tuesday to Friday, from 9am until 11 for breakfast and from 12:30 for lunch. The website doesn't say what time they close, but it does state that you must book in advance for lunch - you can just rock up for breakfast. The website also has a link to the current menu for lunch. Anytime during the day it seems you can just call in for a drink and cake.
The first thing you notice is just how stylised and designed everything is when you get there. But in a really good way - so many little details, so much to look at - but also such a big open space and this amazing view of the lake out the windows.
The breakfast menu is quite simple, but superbly executed. When we went my toddler was with us and he just had toast (£3.50 for 2 large slices), whilst two guys from work each had a bacon sandwich (£5.95), one on granary, one on white. Whilst the bacon sandwich sounded amazing I wanted to try something different for this blog post so I had the spinach and mushrooms on sourdough with a poached egg (£8.50) which was really good. Other things on the menu were a smoked haddock kedgeree (£11) or a yogurt and granola option (£5.95), of course, as they are Yeo Valley dairies! There was also a specials board with 2 things on it - I think it mentioned bubble and squeak and maybe something with Halloumi. There wasn't a typical full English, and whilst there were various cakes, I didn't see any pastries. Neither of those things felt "missing", I'm just pointing it out for those who like a full cooked breakfast or Continental! I noticed someone eating a fried egg on toast which I really don't think was on the menu, so perhaps they'll do simple variations - or perhaps that's just for the employees who know the chefs. The drinks were really nice; I tried a fresh carrot, apple and ginger juice just because I thought it might be good for me although I didn't really fancy it (I also thought it might look nice for a photo), and it was actually really good. I don't know the prices for lunch but I'd say it sounds quite "restauranty".
The staff were so friendly, so welcoming; it really stood out how friendly they were but not in a weird over the top way. When I went to order, I was stood waiting for our drinks and there was just a nice little chat going on. At one point, I called over to my husband Tom and someone else looked up and the lady behind the counter laughed that he was also called Tom. That reinforced how this is a staff canteen and most people there probably do know each other, and they've just come up from the offices for something to eat and to do some work on their laptop. That could make you feel like an outsider or unwelcome, but it really doesn't, it just gives it a really nice local familiar vibe, with the impression that everyone seems really content there. When we arrived, there was a big table of mums with toddlers, so I'd say (well behaved) kids were very welcome. Because people are working and having the odd informal meeting, I don't think you'd want to take anyone who might be tearing around shouting. Our toddler was nearing nap time by the time we left, but the toast, a phone with Paw Patrol, and the giant cow in the room kept him ammicable.
A bunch of us have been trying to find somewhere to go for my friend's 40th, and when she saw The Canteen at Yeo Valley on my Insta stories yesterday, she commented how nice it was there. And so I asked, "oh, could this be the place for your birthday?", and she said yes. So we're just confirming whether we actually do it or not. But that is a good thing about you The Canteen - it's relaxed and easy, but because of the styling there and the way the food is presented and the choice on the menu, it does have a very special feel so you can have a relaxed morning out, but it still feels like somewhere special and different to go for an occasion.
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