Set in the space formerly occupied by the Kick Inside, Fleetwood Macchiato has taken over the light, airy little café leaving Kate Bush free to frolic on the moors while the Fleetwood team bring their A-game on the food front. Sure, it all fits easily into categories like baguettes, soup, salads, eggs and toast – but like Darryl Kerrigan famously said, "it’s what you do with it".
A steady stream of baked eggs with tomato sauce and pangritata appears from behind the kitchen counter – clearly a firm favourite with locals – but we opt instead for the hearty smashed egg breakfast roll. The healthier cousin of the B'n'E variety, this one replaces the bacon grease with avo, mustard aioli and Sriracha and adds pickles and mushrooms for extra flavour.
The braised beans with preserved lemon are to Boston baked beans what a pizza bianchi is to a Margherita – no tomatos were harmed in the making of this dish. These white baked beans could handle a stronger lemon kick but, as far as simple, filling meals go, it’s hard to beat beans on toast in any form.
The preserved yellowfin tuna salad may look like a casually expensive brunch but, fortunately for the budget-conscious, the combo of thinly sliced fennel, fronds of bitter leaves, cucumber ribbons, pea shoots, green olives, tuna and capers comes in under fifteen bucks.
No matter what you’re eating, add a touch of whimsy to your meal with one of the house-made cordials and imagine you’re brunching in an Enid Blyton novel. The pink grapefruit, lemonade and ginger sodas in soft, pastel colours are not overly sweet and are just the ticket to revive flagging spirits before adventures are had.
Fans of all things American can get a cup and a crust – a mug of soup and half a sandwich. It’s ideal for the indecisive luncher and presents an excellent solution to the trans-seasonal menu conundrum: hot food or cold? Why not both?
If you can manage it, save space for the mini lavender and pear cheesecakes – like an ice-cream sandwich, the biscuit layers encase a light cream cheese filling with a syrupy pear centre and a subtle floral flavour.
From one musically named café to another, we are very excited by what’s coming out of the kitchens at Fleetwood, and now we will patiently wait until someone opens Rage Against the Espresso Machine, any day now, surely.