Soup
WHERE TO FIND GOOD SOUP IN HADDINGTON
THE PANTRY, 58 HIGH STREET
I shall be perfectly frank with you. To do otherwise would serve no purpose whatsoever. The Pantry did not impress me. Maybe it was the table that was left a little too long before clearing, or the floor that looked like a good sweeping would not go amiss. Or maybe it was the knife with some stained residue on it (we place far too much reliance on dish-washing machines these days), or the cloak of invisibility that descended upon me as I stood waiting to pay. Whatever the reason, it just wasn't hitting the mark. But then I tasted their soup and life became grand once more. They had two on when I was there: 'Broccoli and Brie' and 'Cream of Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash.' I had the latter. It was heaven, absolute heaven. They also have a good selection of home-baked goodies. I think if The Pantry could give its staff a pep talk, and perhaps an occasional scud across the back of the head, this could be a mighty fine place to go in Haddington.
I shall be perfectly frank with you. To do otherwise would serve no purpose whatsoever. The Pantry did not impress me. Maybe it was the table that was left a little too long before clearing, or the floor that looked like a good sweeping would not go amiss. Or maybe it was the knife with some stained residue on it (we place far too much reliance on dish-washing machines these days), or the cloak of invisibility that descended upon me as I stood waiting to pay. Whatever the reason, it just wasn't hitting the mark. But then I tasted their soup and life became grand once more. They had two on when I was there: 'Broccoli and Brie' and 'Cream of Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash.' I had the latter. It was heaven, absolute heaven. They also have a good selection of home-baked goodies. I think if The Pantry could give its staff a pep talk, and perhaps an occasional scud across the back of the head, this could be a mighty fine place to go in Haddington.
PETER POTTER GALLERY, THE SANDS
The coffee shop's upstairs from the arty stuff. It's worth a visit solely for the wonderful views over the river and Haddington's Nungate Bridge. This is a nice part of the town, just along from the old church that's closed in the winter (how on earth can you possibly close a church in the winter? Where does God go - does he migrate with the birds?). When I first popped my head in their door I may have got off on the wrong foot. It could be my style of questioning (Vot sort of zoop do you serve? Answer ze question!'), but it was one of those strange verbal exchanges where at some point in the proceedings you realise that all is not well, and I reckoned they either thought I was the Taxman or a scoundrel on the verge of carrying out a robbery. It was similar to the scenario I have come upon in a few places where you walk in, a great hush descends on the room, and people all stand as one and rush out with cries of, 'Aeeeeiyah! Run for your lives... it's The Soupsayer!' Sigh, it's not easy being me.
The soup in the Peter Potter Gallery coffee shop was once made by a wee woman somewhere and brought in, but all that's changed. Now they make the soup on the premises, which I think is a good thing. They have two on, with varieties like, 'Corn Chowder' or 'Tomato and Basil'.
At my most recent visit we had another of those strange verbal exchanges. Clearly misunderstandings are becoming something of a speciality of mine. During a conversation with staff I'm sure at some point someone announced with no small amount of pride, 'All our soups are goat-free.' I smiled, and while wondering if now was a good time to run away I was ever conscious of a peculiar relationship between the people of Haddington and goats. There is a goat, for example, on top of the town's mercat cross. Hmm.
And so, whatever's going on in the coffee shop of Peter Potter Gallery, you may at least be assured that no goats were harmed during the making of their soup. [Closed Sundays]
The coffee shop's upstairs from the arty stuff. It's worth a visit solely for the wonderful views over the river and Haddington's Nungate Bridge. This is a nice part of the town, just along from the old church that's closed in the winter (how on earth can you possibly close a church in the winter? Where does God go - does he migrate with the birds?). When I first popped my head in their door I may have got off on the wrong foot. It could be my style of questioning (Vot sort of zoop do you serve? Answer ze question!'), but it was one of those strange verbal exchanges where at some point in the proceedings you realise that all is not well, and I reckoned they either thought I was the Taxman or a scoundrel on the verge of carrying out a robbery. It was similar to the scenario I have come upon in a few places where you walk in, a great hush descends on the room, and people all stand as one and rush out with cries of, 'Aeeeeiyah! Run for your lives... it's The Soupsayer!' Sigh, it's not easy being me.
The soup in the Peter Potter Gallery coffee shop was once made by a wee woman somewhere and brought in, but all that's changed. Now they make the soup on the premises, which I think is a good thing. They have two on, with varieties like, 'Corn Chowder' or 'Tomato and Basil'.
At my most recent visit we had another of those strange verbal exchanges. Clearly misunderstandings are becoming something of a speciality of mine. During a conversation with staff I'm sure at some point someone announced with no small amount of pride, 'All our soups are goat-free.' I smiled, and while wondering if now was a good time to run away I was ever conscious of a peculiar relationship between the people of Haddington and goats. There is a goat, for example, on top of the town's mercat cross. Hmm.
And so, whatever's going on in the coffee shop of Peter Potter Gallery, you may at least be assured that no goats were harmed during the making of their soup. [Closed Sundays]
RATING
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208 x 80 pixels
£75 per annum
