Eat My Words: We review Graffiti Bar and Restaurant in Westlode Street, Spalding
With a couple of hours to spare before going along to try out the Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding, I needed a town venue to grab a bite to eat.
I was feeling pretty peckish and a colleague suggested I try Graffiti Bar and Restaurant on Westlode Street, which was a quick walk away for some pre-ukulele grub.
Being the only one in there at about 6pm, I, as usual, found it difficult to decide where to sit - it’s a family trait when in an empty place. I eventually plonked myself down near the funky styled bar.
The friendly barman gave me a menu and I ordered a nought per cent Kopparberg mixed fruits in a pint glass with ice, which was refreshing after my brisk walk in the still-sunny evening.
The menu was also in Polish and I was interested to see some of the items such as duck dumplings in a mushroom sauce and a potato stew dish.
I ordered a starter of garlic bread to come at the same time as chicken Kiev, fries and a salad with a Polish dressing as recommended by the barman.
Not realising that the garlic bread starter was actually going to be a full size portion, I did wonder what the barman thought I was doing eating a massive meal all by myself. Perhaps he thought I was in training for a woman versus food type challenge?
The chicken Kiev was an absolute gooey garlicky buttery treat with extra garlic sauce on the side (which I hoped my new Ukulele chums wouldn’t notice).
The pickled carrot and salad had a really nice tang with a Polish style dressing that contained more garlic.
Some fries still had the skin on and were really crispy and yummy. I managed just one slice of thin and crispy garlic bread but it seemed rude to waste it.
I joked with the barman about the fact that I wasn’t expecting such a large starter so I asked if I could take it away and was provided with a takeaway box.
I had intended to take it home to my boyfriend but then had a brainwave.
This may impress my new pals at the Ukulele group by offering delicious fresh garlic bread and it worked! The bread went down a treat in the tea break - but apologies to the church where the orchestra practices - as church-goers may still be sniffing the permeating odours a few days on.
With still at least 20 minutes before I needed to set off to the Broad Street Methodist Church, I asked for a cup of tea and was presented with a beautiful wooden box with a variety of tea to choose from.
I played it safe with an English breakfast with milk which was delightfully served in a glass cup.
Popping to the loos, I noticed that the graffiti decor on the walls in the corridor was impressive. The toilets were nice and clean.
Even though it was dinner for one, I felt comfortable and chatted with another woman and learnt hello and thank you in Polish.
Needing to be on my way to my first time at the Ukulele night I paid my bill and set off, large cardboard box in hand, full of garlic bread, looking like a Deliveroo worker.
The food really was delicious and filling and as a woman on my own I felt perfectly at ease.
Perhaps there is more of a vibe at the weekend as suggested by the football matches playing on large screens and colourful neon lights in the main bar plus a summer party that was advertised.
There were many more tables at the back of the restaurant and also an area with toys for children plus nice decorative touches with flowers on the tables.
I had no room for pudding even though the ice cream and waffles could be tempting.
I would definitely eat there again and try some other dishes on the menu such as pasta, pizza, burgers - and perhaps learn some more Polish.
Out of five:
Food: The garlic bread was absolutely delicious but obviously too much for me so took it away ***
Drink: Good choice of non-alcoholic drinks ****
Decor: Graffiti wallpaper in the corridor continues the bar’s theme and there were nice touches of flowers on the tables ***
Staff: Excellent. Very polite and courteous, and appreciated me learning how to say thank you in Polish*****
Price: £27.69 in total which I thought was pretty good for just one person and I won’t have to eat until Christmas. *****
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