Rustic Dining In The Heart Of Essex. (Acanteen Chelmsford)

Member Name: Machair1

Product:	Acanteen Chelmsford
Date:	21/04/09 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything is home made and is fresh every day.

Disadvantages: None

Where I live on the outskirts of Chelmsford in Essex the town has changed so much over the 35 years it has been my home. 30 years ago there were many individual shops and local business owners, and the centre had an atmosphere which was created partly by these enterprises, reflecting the opportunities for self employment, which was buoyant and exciting at the time.

Chelmsford itself is a commuter town with fast trains departing every few minutes into London with a journey time of just over 35 minutes, and before the recession it was a town with a fair amount of cash splashing around, which kept some of the family businesses afloat. Now houses are for sale for ever, and the vast array of empty shops in the high street creates a picture of a town with an identity crisis, and a town where contemplating making money from any business idea is a risky one.

It's an expensive place to live. I actually live 3 miles out of town and a short bus ride in would cost you £3.30 return, strange really because I could probably fly to Glasgow with Ryan Air for only a few pounds more. To go to London and stay overnight returning the next day will set you back £32 on the train -unbelievable!

I have watched most of my favourite shops close. We have no health food store which is independent as the business rents were too high, and now the shop has folded. We have only left the chains which make all high streets the same. I guess living here for so long I have grown to accept it, but it is when you go elsewhere it hits you just how samey it all is. I went to Peebles not long ago in Scotland, and was just blown away by the range of family shops and businesses there-so amazed it took me hours to get round them all!

So it is with great delight that I can tell you about one family business which is surviving, and good thing too, because it is doing everything right to attract customers.

ACanteen is situated just outside the main group of shops and on New London Road over the river and beyond Marks and Spencer's and the deserted ruins of what was one Alders, a giant shop which lies empty -another recession casualty. Owned by Emma and Brenda it's an oasis of goodies and one I am regularly seen in!

The little home made eatery is quite simply an Aladdin's cave of home cooked fayre of the highest standard.

Outside menu boards advertise "porridge to go" in the morning, and they have an early start which attracts a large number of office workers, as there are many solicitors and estate agents in the area. By mid morning the place is the perfect venue for a relaxing coffee. The tables are rustic with church style pews, and wooded slatted surfaces create the ideal base for your home made choices. They have settees in the corners which are cosy too.

The walls are adorned with enticing menu suggestions such as warm berry and banana waffle stack, and old school milk shakes, and the array of cakes are mouth-watering and delicious. They do every kind of tea and coffee and the staff and friendly and welcoming.

Just sitting and enjoying the moment you will witness the chef bringing home made cakes, and specially prepared breakfast dishes for the customers who have ordered them, as everything is freshly cooked. The aim is for everything to be as fresh and as rustic as possible, and at lunchtime the place is bustling with the sound of happy customers. Wholemeal quiches and delicious rustic soups, baked potatoes and salads, as well as a lovely selection of sandwiches. All available to eat in and to go.

The prices are reflective of the home made nature of the products and so they are not Weatherspoons level, but certainly value for money. A coffee is about £2 and is served at your table in a lovely cup. The cakes vary but on average will be around the £2 mark, and a cooked breakfast will all the trimmings will be around the £6 mark. For example £5.90 will buy you a big breakfast with Cumberland sausage, choice of fried, poached or scrambled egg, bacon, grilled mushrooms and tomato with doorstep toast. For veggies like myself a great choice is the "Portobello Mushrooms and Poached Eggs" served on wilted baby spinach and doorstep toast-this is out of this world for the same price.

They also do an outside full catering menu and will deliver locally so ideal for business meetings.

One touch I like is that they have a suggestion box which is opened daily, and the comments are discussed each morning, making this a business which is extremely customer focussed. I also love the jug of iced water garnished with lemon, and glasses to serve yourself provided free on the counter.

Now open 7 days a week it makes a lovely venue for a relaxing Sunday breakfast.

It does close mid afternoon so no evening meals here, but the day is filled with every eating opportunity you may need.

They sell an enticing array of speciality food and breads too, and here is a great place to stock up on teas and deli items which make great presents.

It makes a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of the town especially on mid week mornings before the lunchtime rush, when you can sit with a book and a lovely home made treat in total peace. I love to have the lemon cake which is a melt in the mouth slice of heaven with a lemony syrup and a sugary crusty top. They even make these so you can buy the entire cake and take it home, which I do sometimes if I don't feel like baking myself at the weekend. Their Victoria Sandwich is the best I have ever tasted -a large thick affair filled with vanilla cream and preserve, and topped with a snowy icing.

I'm favouring this retreat far more than an hour in Starbucks or Costas these days, as the family business they are holding onto is something rare and precious in a town of shops which fail to distinguish it from any high street anywhere in the UK.
You can buy any phone you want in Chelmsford and most clothing companies are here too so you can have the latest outfit from national stores, and you can take your place in any coffee shop you choose, but you will struggle to find that special family affair in Chelmsford.

This little gem is just that- a twinkling diamond in a sea of trinkets, and if you ever come to Chelmsford seek it out because Acanteen is a very special place.

Summary: A family business which is outstanding in all areas of customer service and cuisine.