Bents – what a day out and we had lunch! #Review
Stephen Wundke
3rd September 2018
In our current series, where we are reviewing the various lunches on offer across Cheshire, we decided to visit Bents Garden Centre. After all it was the holidays and not every lunch is a business meeting is it?
We were looking forward to seeing what went on at Bents and with the choice of the Fresh Approach Restaurant, The Café and The Tapas Bar it seemed an awful lot of selection for a simple garden centre, we were intrigued.
To get to Bents you go past the Kenyon Hall Farm Shop, so we called in first just to see what was on offer and bought some fabulous smoked bacon and fresh eggs. Lovely place, nice people, but I digress. Another five minutes on we started to see big brown signs for Bents Garden Centre and we both thought, that’s impressive, for a simple Garden centre. As we got closer the signs got bigger until on arrival we realised Bents Garden Centre is not a simple garden centre, Bents is in fact a small village. The best type of small village you can find. Huge amounts of free parking, building after building covering plants, trees, flowers, BBQ’s, Kids clothing, cooking appliances, cooking products, – and, and, and, it was just mind blowing. You just couldn’t imagine this place existed. We were truly wowed and that was just on arriving.
We parked easily, walked in and couldn’t believe it. So much to see. We walked for 15 minutes following the well sighted signs and our mouths were open, not with hunger but amazement. This place was spectacular. I have never been to anything like it. The food hall was fabulous with its own butchery, bakery (no, I didn’t spot the candle maker but they had loads of them!) fresh fruit and veg, a huge array of wines, beers and soft drinks, then every kitchen appliance and gadget you could want as well as a huge range of BBQ’s, outdoor furniture and of course plants and shrubs, lots of plants and shrubs.
Whilst looking to see where to eat we also found a lake – a lake! It had seating around it for coffee or lunch, we found a mini golf course for kids and we found Dinosaurs – yes that’s right. This was an incredible area that was well populated with lots of families all eating and drinking but somehow it seemed peaceful, not frantic or noisy like so many of these areas. I suppose that was because it was big – very big and everyone had lots of room.
However, we were there to eat and so we headed back in to make our decision, so nice to have choice. The Fresh Approach was tempting but it was prime time and it was ooh so busy. Glass counter after glass counter of fresh roasts carved, freshly baked pies, lots of vegetarian dishes, sandwiches, pastries and drinks. It was very impressive but not quite what we were looking for. We moved on to look at the café. Wonderful sandwiches, filled to the brim with ingredients, prawns, chicken, beef, cheese, followed by more cream doughnuts and pastries, all made on site. We could have happily eaten here but somehow, as good as they looked and were presented, this didn’t seem like much of a challenge for this fabulous place. We decided that we would dine in the Tapas Bar. It looked real, everything was being cooked in front of you and the choices were numerous. I lived in Spain for a while and I love this style of eating. Lots of small dishes full of flavour and everyone getting to try a little of something. This ticked all the boxes for today’s luncheon.
We took a seat and then chose from the menu. Our choices were, Gambas Pil Pil, Jamon, Papas Fritas Y Salsa, Albondigas Y Salsa and the special of the day. For those not familiar with these choices, don’t worry, explanations to come. There were a lot more choices and its true, you do have to call a halt to dishes at some time and our waiter suggested even for two growing lads, we had ordered enough. Nice guy, knew his stuff, authentic.
The first to arrive was the Papas Fritas Y Salsa, which is thick cut, home made crisps topped with a fresh salsa of tomatoes, chillies, avocado and cucumber, in a light olive oil. It had a nice crunch and was very fresh with the salsa. The crisps were a bit too crunchy but not bad. This arrived with the Jamon, which of course was Serrano Ham, aged for 18 months and served with pickled chillies. Lovely depth of flavour, and a generous serve. It was a good start. It would have been better if I wasn’t driving as I could have had a cold beer or some of their great wines which are available by the glass from a serious bit of dispensing kit that keeps the wines at perfect temperature and fresh at all times. Sadly Sprite was the order of the day. The next to arrive was the Gambas Pil Pil, Prawns in a sizzling garlic butter with paprika and parsley, always a winner and whilst not complicated, again this too was tasty. The Albondigas followed, Pork mince and spicy salami coated meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. Perhaps this was the only slight disappointment, it wasn’t very spicy and the texture suggested it had been around for a while. Nice but not great. However, the special of the day was. Chorizo sausages on skewers that were packed with flavour, hot and so tasty on a bed of garlic, peppers and chilli. A stand out dish. It took us all of about 50 minutes from ordering to finishing so our time spent was well within the limit and we felt great after eating. Not too full having tasted lots of lovely dishes and all for less than £13 a head. That’s a good lunch in anyone’s book.
It was a surprise to find a tapas bar within a Garden centre but as I started out describing – this is not an ordinary Garden Centre. It is, exceptional and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough for a day out. There really is something for everyone at every age and I bet you end up buying something after you have eaten. We did. Well done to Bents. You really have created something very special here and your food is pretty darn good as well.
Ratings:
Service 8/10 Ambience and Setting 10/10 Food 8/10 Value for Money 9/10 Total Score: 35/40
Bents Garden & Home Fresh Approach Restaurant
Leigh End, Warrington Road, Glazebury, WA3 5NT
Enjoy a delicious meal, freshly prepared in the stylish surroundings of The Fresh Approach Restaurant.
More informationBents Garden and Home Shop
Warrington Road, Glazebury, Warrington, WA3 5NT
Bents Garden & Home invites you to taste the unexpected. Visit the food hall or dine with at one of many offering.
More information