Branching out in style in Worksop

THE nights are definitely drawing in now the clocks have gone back, but there is still some Mediterranean sun to be found in Worksop.

Nestled away in a picturesque setting off Bridge Street is the recently-opened Olive Grove - a classy courtyard bistro which promises to raise the bar when eating out in town.

Worksop certainly isn’t short of takeaways and cafés and so it was refreshing to see something a little different for daytime dining.

It might have been a dull day outside but we were given a lovely sunny welcome as we chose our seats in the attractive and thoughtfully-decorated dining area.

From the olive tree to the green-themed décor, every thought had been made to offer diners a true taste of the Mediterranean.

The menu was well-thought out too, with each course taking in the culinary delights of Spain, Italy and Greece.

For just £3.95, you can create your own pitta or ciabatta, filled with a tempting selection of hot and cold fillings from serrano ham to feta cheese.

Or if one dish is just not enough, there is an extensive tapas menu, offering dishes such as chorizo, garlic prawns and grilled halloumi cheese for £2.95 for one course or £7.50 for three.

They even do a range of home-made pizzas with enough topping combinations to satisfy meat eaters and veggies alike.

I plumped for a wholemeal pitta with grilled halloumi and red peppers, choosing olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the accompanying side salad.

My dad opted for a feta cheese and mixed olives pitta, while my mum set her sights on the Breakfast Bruschetta (£2.95) with tomatoes and mushrooms.

We also ordered a Patatas Bravas tapas dish to share - an enticing blend of new potatoes topped with a spicy tomato and garlic sauce.

The food was nicely presented in eye-catching terracotta dishes and was every bit as delicious as it looked.

The homemade tomato sauce on the Patatas Bravas was particularly delicious and went perfectly with our tasty sandwiches.

We were a little to full for the enticing dessert menu but found enough room for a coffee and a slice of homemade Italian orange drizzle cake to share - truly divine.

The top of town is definitely starting to take off and it’s great to see places such as The Olive grove boosting that trend, even opening at night later in the week.

The service was second to none - warm, friendly and attentive, with nothing too much trouble.

Our host Karen told us the idea behind The Olive Grove was to make you forget you’re in Worksop. It certainly worked.

by Chantal Spittles

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