Eat My Words: We review Green Bowl in Spalding
On a wintry day at the end of January I decided to take myself off for lunch.
Sometimes a bite to eat on my own is a tonic to a busy lifestyle and luckily I enjoy my own company - funny, intelligent, humble - what’s not to like?
In an attempt to continue my resolution to eat more healthily I popped to the Green Bowl on New Road in Spalding where owner Trudy Edgington serves poke bowls - a traditional Hawaiian dish.
The café has been open for two years and along with poke bowls serves wraps, rolls, paninis, jacket potatoes and salad bowls.
Window seats overlooking the street are a perfect place to people watch with more seating at the back for customers to sit in or take food away.
So I plonked myself down at a quiet table in the corner before going to the counter to choose my rice dish with a choice of toppings.
I had decided to go meat free that Monday after devouring steak and roast chicken cooked by my partner at the weekend.
With many healthy choices to add to the poke bowl such as Spanish chicken or tuna I decided on egg, beetroot, charred cauliflower, broccoli, olives and cucumber.
Read more Eat My Words reviews here
Now the choice of cucumber caused a ‘healthy’ debate in the office when I returned.
Had I done myself an injustice by opting for a vegetable that is mainly water, takes more effort to chew and for little reward?
However you feel about cucumber - and feel free to post your comments below - I had already committed so couldn’t back out.
I ordered a bag of crisps - the resolution voice in my head already criticising my complete lack of will power - I simply couldn’t resit a packet of cheddar and onion.
In an effort to retain the image of health and vitality, I chose a passionfruit, pineapple and mango smoothie to accompany my lunch which was tangy and thirst quenching.
The café is lovely and Trudy is a breath of fresh air - giving out sunshine on a chilly Monday - chatty and friendly and is clearly a hit with regulars - one of whom made their daily visit for a takeaway poke bowl.
There are affirming pictures on the walls, flowers on the table and the loos are nice.
My poke bowl was really fresh and tasty - with a tangy chilli and mango dressing that enriched my cucumber choice.
The rice and vegetable combination is surprisingly filling and so a good alternative if like me you are trying to have a balanced diet (cucumber and crisps?).
Trudy offers a discount to members of Puregym nearby and cooks a lot of the food herself.
Perhaps veering off slightly from the healthy regime I ordered a hot chocolate - well it is winter after all - and Trudy is aiming to introduce a larger selection of cakes.
The hot chocolate was just how I like my men - rich, sweet and with a spoon.
Wifi is available in the café which gave me the option to scroll on my phone as I was on my own.
However - Trudy came to chat with me, so it felt like I was having lunch with a friend anyway.
Winter blues?
Not at the Green Bowl.
Out of five:
Food: Fresh, filling ,tasty and healthy ****
Drinks: Smoothie was packed with flavour ****
Decor: Nice attention to detail and quiet seating area ****
Staff: Trudy is friendly, attentive and delivers a high standard of customer service *****
Price: A once-in a-while healthy lunchtime treat came to a total of £15.79 ****
Have you had a great meal? Share your own Eat My Words reviews or tell us where to try by emailing: news@lincsonline.co.uk
