FOOD REVIEW: The Real Eating Company, East Street, Chichester
I need food, or lunch I should say, so I do what most tech-savvy people do and turn on TripAdvisor.
The array of choice is baffling, so after a few tense moments (I need to eat) we dive into the nearest place - the Real Eating Company , which ranks at a lowly 159 out of 175 restaurants in the Chichester area.
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Hide AdNever mind that, we’re prepared to give it a try. So, overlooking the mixed reviews, we grab a table, and we’re lucky as it’s one of the last in the place.
The Real Eating Company is a kind of up-market shabby-chic type place, which serves breakfasts and sandwiches, as well as baking its own pastries. The decor is a mix of wooden tables, artwork, a few comfy chairs and a large open counter.
It’s part of a small independent chain, which has cafes in Bournemouth, Horsham, Kingston, Lewes and Salisbury.
An army of young student-looking waiters and waitresses wearing black are working hard, trying to keep up with the demands of the busiest day of the week.
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Hide AdThere’s lots of activity, clearing tables, washing up and creating coffees, and there’s a small queue at the counter, upon which is spread a variety of tasty-looking treats, including a savoury frittata and an abundance of croissants and cakes.
I opt for a ham and cheese toastie (£6.40) and my partner goes for a sausage sandwich (£3.95). I have a cox and bramley apple juice (£2.85) to wash it down, which is I’m delighted to see says it’s from a family-run apple farm close to the South Downs National Park. It’s delicious.
My partner goes for a gingerbread latte (£3.25), which the menu claims is ‘freshly-roasted to our own blend and specification, once a week, by a family-owned roaster.’ Wherever it’s roasted, and however it’s made, it’s a good coffee.
Despite the hubbub, we’re served swiftly, with filling lunches.
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Hide AdThey are fresh and tasty – even if the ham and cheese toastie was a little disproportionately pricey compared to my partner’s sausage sandwich. I even find room for a tasty raspberry bakewell slice (£3.10).
Our total bill comes to £19.55, not too bad for a meal out in Chichester – and in my mind, it doesn’t warrant its low TripAdvisor rating.
Tel: (01243) 699838
Food 4
Value 3
Ambience 2
Child-friendly 3
(ratings out of 5)