a treat

This is the reception area at the Petersham Nurseries Cafe. Quite, quite lovely, and if your friend/eating partner is late you can have a healthy appetiser while you wait.

I came here last September for the first time and knew I had to come back. I didn't think it would take a year to do so, but then again I didn't know what was going to happen in that year. Today, I met my friend Angela for lunch once more (we were reprobate graduate trainees together at a huge textile company, and these days neither of us ever wears acrylic, acetate or viscose) and it was a real treat.

The wonderful dahlia table decorations were there again - this is the one which faced me on our table - and the food was quite simply the best I have eaten in a long time. I don't usually photograph cooked food, but the desserts were culinary supermodels. I had exquisite roast quince,

and Angela had a figgy fig ice cream, and very obligingly passed it over to me before she'd even tasted it so that I could get a good shot (and a quick spoonful - delicious).

Then Angela had to go, and I had some time on my own. So I wandered round the shop in the greenhouse and saw some potted hydrangeas looking fabulous on an old, painted, wooden bench,

and a display of gardening boots which was remarkably similar to the kind of thing Alice and Phoebe used to do with their dolls' shoes and boots.

The outdoor cafe was almost empty - which was all the better for me as I was able to see the wonderful details and textures,

colours and plants.

And the biggest treat of all? Well, Petersham Nurseries has an acclaimed kitchen garden behind a high, brick wall and a large 'Private' sign. But I was lucky enough to meet one of the gardeners as I was almost hurting myself trying to see round the metal gate. He very kindly let me have a look and I realised I had found my ideal Secret Garden.

What a treat.

Comments

[Lesley]

What a beautiful secret place -thanks for sharing xx

[Gemma]

You lucky girl to be allowed in there! It really does look properly secret. And somehow places like that are always better when it's a clandestine affair of entering.

[Gina]

What a wonderful day out... so full of special treats. Can't wait for the the book, by the way!

[Shin]

I didn't realize that you were in/near London. We only just moved here to Woking end of August. I hope you don't mind me being so bold to ask if you'd like to meet up with another arts/crafts lover. If you do, drop me a note. I'd love to meet up.

[Rachel in Tx]

What a lovely place! What was under your roasted quince? All looks yummy.

[Kelly]

That's lovely - the nasturtiums most of all.

[Alicia P.]

Oh, I love that place (only through your blog, of course -- but if I ever see it in a movie I will know it immediate). And I love the image of your friend passing you her dessert first. Photograph dessert first, eat desert second, eat lunch third.

Sounds like your day was as wonderful as I was hoping, Madame Author! :-)

[jackie]

Love dahlias! Did you know your blog has made this months 'Simply Knitting'? (pg 83) Even more fame!

[lyn]

It all looks lovely, but I would want to run and throw myself into that secret garden.
And quite possibly stay there forever. Sigh.

[Tricia Garrett]

Remarkably lush! Love nasturtium mound. Summer appears to be hanging on in there down south. Signs of the beginning of the end up here in the midlands.

[littlejennywren]

That kitchen garden is the stuff of dreams.Beautiful.

[nadine]

Figgy Ice Cream !

ooooooh Aaaaaaaaaaahhhh

and Yum !

Must admit that
i'm a bit jealous.

[katie]

My daughter has quinces in her garden and I didn't know you could roast them and they would look so beautiful. What's wrong with viscose? I thought it was a natural fibre made from wood?

[cd&m]

The idea of a secret garden is so wonderful and magical.

[Di]

Lucky you being able to visit Petersham Nurseries Cafe. The only way I can get there is through my favourite Australian magazine "Delicious". Skye Gyngell, the chef at Petersham, is a regular contributor and I read all her articles avidly.

[Maritza]

one day, Jane, our paths just might cross !

I love Petersham Nurseries too.

I managed to see the secret garden & the beautiful garden of Petersham House on the open day, 17th. June I think

I was also in Aldeburgh the week after you - the Chinese Lantern parade & the fireworks on the beach are magical

your blog in on the list I give to my students for inspiration, I teach in Central London - Sewing & Textiles ( including knitting & crochet etc. ), Family Arts & Alternative Jewellery

and I LOVE chocolate too

[Becca]

Petersham's is somewhere I have always wanted to go so it is great to see a review of it here ... beautiful photos on their website and on your blog. And the chef is supposed to be a marvel - fig ice cream sounds delicious.

[di]

lovely. We went out for a very flash meal last night (our anniversary)- such a treat to indulge in some fine dining. Scott's desert included nasturtium icecream (along with some amazing morsels of apple jelly, apple mousse, roasted apple, golden raisins, sweet celery and crushed anzacs), which seems appropriate to mention here with the sumptuous deserts and field of nasturtiums you enjoyed.

[AJ]

What lovely photos! And what a treat to be invited back into the garden... I've always wanted to travel to England and your lovely photography only makes me want to go more!

[LynnH]

Oh, what a beautiful garden. The nasturtiums are a favorite of mine. They remind me of your toenail polish!

[Zélia]

uau, you must of had a GREAT time! Lovely photos!

[Kylie]

I've always wanted to get to England, and your post here has just made that a longing. I adore your photos and find them an inspiration to make my own even better. thanks for all the care you take!

[Nonnie]

Reading this I realise that it is a year since I commented on your last post on Petersham and I still haven't been! Despite living about three miles from it. I have to make sure I don't let another year pass without going! The puds look fantastic. Actually the whole place does.