Good Roots lunch review
A bustling café serving quality food.
Royal Porcelain Works, Severn Street, Worcester, WR1 2NE
the café
As you approach the café you will see a lovely patio area set up with various chairs and tables – an ideal place on a pleasant day to relax outside with a coffee and a book. However, the day of my Good Roots lunch review, Friday 23 October 2020, was dull and damp, and so I headed straight inside. It was lunchtime and they were busy, but there were high tables available. I was greeted and shown to what would be my table for the next hour.
The interior is smart casual with a natural, rustic touch. Lots of lighting, but none too bright. A card on the table informed me that the table had been cleaned. Possibly not strictly necessary, but in these Covid days, a reassuring touch.
The café was what I like a café to be – bustling. People talking, waiters going about their business. A pleasing hubbub.
The service was excellent. My waiter was on the ball. Not hovering, but when I was ready to order, when I wanted a glass of tap water, when I wanted to pay, he was there. It transpired that he was the owner, so perhaps one should expect him to be good. However, I believe that most organisations reflect their leaders. Good attitude filters down, good work filters down, so it is likely that all of the waiters are good.
the food
The Mocha I ordered was warm. Not a good start, especially as I like my drinks hot. First world problems!
Two items on the menu really took my eye and I ordered both. Far too much for a lunch, really, but I wanted a lot to write about. Having added nine reviews to my website in the last three weeks, I need to concede that my diet is dead!
Good Roots Omelette
The first to arrive was a vegan dish, Goodroots Omelette. This is a dish of chickpea omelette with roasted plum tomato, kale, harissa-spiced peppers & onions topped with hummus. This is the most enjoyable dish I have had for some time. Not the most enjoyable vegan dish, the most enjoyable dish, period (as the yanks would say)! I wouldn’t eat the chickpea omelette on its own as it would be a bit dry. But with the other ingredients, this was a great dish with good contrast between the flavours and the textures. A filling dish and a bit spicier than I expected, too.
Mumbai Eggs Royale
The second, and slightly unnecessary dish given how filling I found the first, was Mumbai Eggs Royale. Two poached eggs, smoked salmon, toasted muffin, hollandaise and curry spices. As with the omelette, this was beautifully presented. The spices were simply sprinkled on the sides of the plate, a good way to allow the diner to choose how spicy each mouthful is. This was a lovely dish. Not as filling as the omelette, but a reasonable portion for lunch.
One issue I had was the spice. I love spices, and if the dish is spicy, that’s exactly what it should be. However, two forkfuls of eggs and muffin wiped around the plate’s edges and the spices were gone. The remaining forkfuls were just plain Eggs Royale. I would have liked a lot more spice. I could easily have asked for more, but I didn’t and many people wouldn’t ask, so perhaps a more generous portion of spices would be good. As I say, first world problems! Still a very enjoyable dish.
The menu at Good Roots is interesting and modern. I loved the food here and enjoyed writing my Good Roots lunch review. There are similarities with another café nearby – see my review of the Meeting Place. However, this isn’t a competition. If you like one, chances are you will like the other, so add both of them to your list of regular haunts.
the drinks
The drinks menu includes the expected list of coffees; Espresso, Macchiato, etc. An interesting list of teas includes Queen of Green, The Berry Best, and Feisty Turmeric. I love turmeric, but usually in food. Almond, oat, and coconut milk is joined on the menu by three varieties of syrup, and five iced teas, including Iced Turmeric & Basil Tea. There they go with the turmeric again!
I wasn’t given a drinks menu, which is a shame as I would have liked to try one of their smoothies. Acia Kick, Strawberry Delight, and Green River all look interesting, with the Acia Kick likely to have been my choice.
dietary requirements
The menu uses a symbol to indicate which dishes can be gluten free. The menu goes on to state, “Should you have any allergies please speak to a member of the team as some of our menu items contain allergens including; gluten, nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soya, celery, mustard, sulphites, sesame and lupin. Please ask a member of staff for more information.”
things to do near Good Roots café
Next door to the café is the Museum of Royal Worcester. This is a fascinating delve into the industrial heritage of the region and a presentation of the world’s largest collection of Worcester Porcelain in the very place it was made.
Good Roots café is less than 200 yards from Worcester Cathedral and a similar distance to the Vue cinema. The café is close to the shops and three other museums including The Commandery. This is a wonderful museum and the site of the royalist headquarters during the the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Greyfriar’s House and Garden and the Tudor House Museum – two further museums offering a glorious glimpse into Worcester’s past.
Many people combine their Good Roots breakfast or lunch with a stroll along the River Severn, just a two-minute walk from the café.
menu
On the rear of the menu it states, “To reduce our carbon footprint I am printed on an anti-microbial paper that reduces viruses, bacteria and germs by up to 99.99% which is activated by light and oxygen.”
facilities
parking
There is no car park at Good Roots. However, King Street Pay & Display is not even 100 yards away. There is chargeable on-street parking by the café – but make sure you buy a ticket and don’t overstay your time as the traffic wardens enjoy a stroll down Severn Street. Also nearby is the NCP car park opposite the Cathedral.
disabled access
This restaurant is suitable for wheelchairs and there is a disabled toilet.
children
There are highchairs available. There is a children’s menu, although no copies were available during my visit. I was told this will be sorted when they get more printing done. However, all items on the menu can be supplied in child portions.
toilets
The toilets were ultra modern and spotless. No pressing soap dispensers or turning tap handles here!
Good Roots lunch review
I hope you have found my Good Roots lunch review of use. For more ideas check out my other lunch reviews.
Visit: Friday 23 October 2020
Visit the Good Roots website.
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