Star rating: **** Usually I get my son home for three weeks during the Easter break from university, writes Sharon Walters, apart from the odd day dashing off somewhere to meet friends or party.
This time it was to be just a week due to study pressures in his final year. Oh, well . . . although I would miss our usual holiday treats at least my shopping bills would not rise into the stratosphere as I filled the fridge trying to keep up with his appetite.
And no, he is not a greedy pig, he is still growing and does an awful lot of exercise - making me feel very lazy and rather guilty.
His last day at home came and he packed up his stuff and we headed into Ludlow for him to get the train down to Bristol.
Of course a last lunch was a priority and we fancied a town centre pub with some decent ‘pub’ food, rather than a gastro-experience.
Sadly we were disappointed. It was only 1.50pm on the Friday of Easter week but at our preferred port of call we were told that only sandwiches and soup were available.
A bit odd that, in a year-round tourist town, and for the time of year. Perhaps they had staffing difficulties. If so it would have been nice to have been told rather than the brusque brushing-off we received. I got the distinct impression staff merely wanted to finish early in the kitchen.
Then our minds switched to thoughts of a cafe/restaurant and we walked up to Aragons, just off Castle Square.
And so what would the starving student choose as his last meal before returning to work (I hope!) on his dissertation and start exam revision?
Surprisingly he passed on the gigantic mixed grill, all made from fresh local produce. “I am thinking of my health,” he claimed. Ha!
Instead we both went for a pizza option. Aragons specialises in pizza/calzone and also does excellent fresh pasta dishes.
Pizzas come in six-and nine-inch sizes. The smaller is usually enough for me but I wanted the one they only do large - the classic Four Seasons (£9.45). Alex went for the large Cajun Feast (£7.35) with extra toppings of black olives and onion (95 pence each). As he was, as usual, starving, we also ordered a portion of potato wedges (£3.50).
These are cooked from scratch, so we had a portion of grilled bread with cheese (£2.75) to fill in time. They boasted bags of cheese and were piping hot.
And then the pizzas arrived. Oh, why had I chosen Four Seasons? It was delicious - but there was just too much of it. This was one of the best pizzas I have had in a very long time and certainly had the most generous toppings. Pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, olives, vegetables and my all-time favourite anchovies were found in abundance and all covered in lashings of mozzarella cheese.
Alex’s had juicy chunks of spicy Cajun chicken breast and plenty of black olives and onions, again with bubbling cheese.
Our potato wedges filled a large plate and came with a choice of dips. We had ketchup and mayonnaise. No silly little packets here, ramekins full of the stuff arrived at the table. I managed a handful and Alex did try harder but even he was defeated and also left a small slice of his pizza. I did manage a little more than half of mine.
Before we could ask to take the leftover pizza home the waitress offered to box it up, They must be used to this! A perfect snack for Alex to take on the journey and avoid costly sandwiches on the train.
A nice end to a good meal experience.
Also on offer on the menu are light bites, salads, omelettes, sandwiches and a range of all-day breakfasts. There is something for any time of day and it is all served all day. Children are welcome and there is a special menu.
ADDRESS
Aragons Cafe Restaurant, Church Street, Ludlow
Telephone 01584 873282
Open 9am-7pm Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.
MENU SAMPLE
Starters
Selection of freshly made soups with a choice of fresh breads (£3.75); grilled goat’s cheese salad with olives and basil (£5.75).
Main courses
Farmhouse steak-and-ale pie with chips or jacket potatoes, peas and gravy (£7.45); Aragon’s large mixed grill with all local produce - sirloin steak, gammon, sausages, onion rings, mushrooms, eggs, tomatoes and bacon served with either chunky chips or wedges (£12.95).
Desserts
Fresh fruit pavlova (£3.25); honeycake (£2.95) - a past winner of best cake in the Ludlow Food & Drink annual competitions.
ATMOSPHERE
Relaxed and cosy.
SERVICE
Friendly and attentive.
DISABLED FACILITIES
No disabled facilities.
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