Mabel's Cafe - New Forest

Shallowmead is definitely one of the most attractive cafes in the area. I decided to revisit after reading about it in the newspaper, and I was pleasantly surpr... read more Shallowmead is definitely one of the most attractive cafes in the area. I decided to revisit after reading about it in the newspaper, and I was pleasantly surprised. While the menu isn't as unique as before, the food was enjoyable and the service was friendly. I just wish they would start serving roasts again.

The old coffee shop and seating area were quaint and cosy, but the recent significant expansion of the restaurant seems to have achieved very little. The sticky... read more The old coffee shop and seating area were quaint and cosy, but the recent significant expansion of the restaurant seems to have achieved very little. The sticky tables and plastic flowers (really, in a garden centre... and the ambitious pricing mean we won't be in a hurry to return. (Oh and if you want to encourage customers, sort-out the disastrous signage .

There is a new entrance to the garden centre, walls painted black chainsaw display in a glass case, line of sight as you enter falls on a far reaching, unfinish... read more There is a new entrance to the garden centre, walls painted black chainsaw display in a glass case, line of sight as you enter falls on a far reaching, unfinished retail area. We were the only customers at Mabels in the car park. Our cake slices had dried out during the day, menu looked uninspiring, lovely sunny table in those beautiful gardens, but no vibe, don't think our custom was of any interest. Re brand, forget Mabels, get a new zingy name some zingy folk to run the resturant with a creative menu. Reminded me of a hospital contract cafe.

My friends and I visited on a Sunday afternoon from out of town at a local’s recommendation. I loved the atmosphere lots of plants, lots of seating. There weren... read more My friends and I visited on a Sunday afternoon from out of town at a local’s recommendation. I loved the atmosphere lots of plants, lots of seating. There weren’t many customers, so it wasn’t loud. We were hoping for afternoon tea, but sadly it is not available on Sundays. Some of us got the Sunday Roasts instead. More in our party (of 10) would have liked to try the Sunday Roast, but they only sold it to some of us due to limited staff presumably limited ingredients. The rest ordered sandwiches. I’m sorry to say I was not impressed with the starter or main course (the meat, potatoes and vegetables were a bit dry), but I did enjoy the crème brûlée for dessert. Afterward, we visited a gin distillery around the corner. They allowed us samples, and I was impressed with the flavor and smoothness.

Dissapointing menu poor staff attitude, couldn't be bothered to interact couldn't have been less helpful. No wonder this place was empty and got a no star food... read more Dissapointing menu poor staff attitude, couldn't be bothered to interact couldn't have been less helpful. No wonder this place was empty and got a no star food hygiene rating. Can't comment on food as we left without eating.