Bon Appetit - Milford-on-Sea

European Café Culture moves to Milford-On-Sea!

 
I've always maintained that when times are tough and the credit crunch is taking a bite out of your joie de vie, it's critical to do things that are going to lift your spirit, Sure a weekend away at Gidleigh Park may have to wait, but instead of moping at home there are other options you know. For the purposes of this review, I'll focus on just one example, but it is a pretty good one so I hope it proves inspirational and gets you out of your chair.

Milford-On-Sea is getting more and more up-market every time I look and though of course Lymington is where the heart is, even I, biased as I am, need a break every now and then. Reluctantly working to a modest budget we decided to take Junior down to the beach the other day and have some proper family time in the great outdoors without breaking the bank. For a rare change I won the inevitable man vs. woman's logic domestic debate as to whether we should take a picnic or try and be adventurous and see if we couldn't get something nice in the village and off we went. Now what I hadn't told Mrs S. is that I had heard that Jon of Piccolo and Wistaria fame has recently opened a European style café/ crêperie in the middle of Milford and felt sure that it could be a good bet.

Fresh from that uplifting feeling you get when you've lungs full of fresh sea air and sun blasted salty skin, we walked back into Milford for lunch and settled ourselves into Bon Appetit. Personally, apart from the weather, the only reason I've never liked British holidays is that the quality of food and accomodation, that is reasonably priced and in the nicest locations is usually so awful compared to France, Italy, Spain etc. that I'd always rather be there instead. Not this time though!

Not only were we greeted with a very informal but happy and welcoming smile, it felt like we'd stepped into Mr Ben's fancy dress shop (remember him) and landed in a groovy Parisien café. The huge photo of the Eiffel Tower sets that scene of course, but unlike other places I've been to the menu lives up to the gorgeous atmosphere of the place itself. Like a good family run French café, you can choose from a host of different types of food but they are mostly orientated around crêpes. Regretably the breakfast version is only served until 11.30am, but I had a seafood one whilst Junior went for a beautiful Tuna Baguette and Mrs S a Ham & Cheese. Proper Cappuccinos, Milk Shakes and Movenpick Ice Creams ensued and I can gladly report that all were perfect. I should also add that as someone who is verging on excessive about cleanliness, the place is 100% spotless and fresh, which also helped me especially relax into the Bon Appetit vibe.

None of this of course should be any surprise, because whatever Jon and Stacy do they do brilliantly as locals in Milford have long known. Watch out also because Stacy is hard at work planning a fish restaurant tied to Monks the fishmongers in town, and I can't wait for that either. If you need to get hold of me most mornings, you'll probably find me tucking into a breakfast with the morning papers at Bon Appetit...if I can get a table after this of course!... JS  

To download a recent Menu CLICK HERE!

Bon Appetit
54 High Street
Milford-on-Sea
SO41 0QD                     - Tel No: 01590 641414