Cornercopia Café — Restaurant in England

Had lunch at this inviting little café on a short visit to Helmsley. It's in a charming stone cottage just a couple of minutes walk from the castle, which you get a good view of from the outside tables. It's also very homely inside, with restful blue decor, and some nice plants and pictures. The banquette was comfy, and the tables and the café generally were very clean. I was given a really warm welcome, and the lady who served me was attentive throughout my lunch, checking that the food was just right. Good choice of drinks including coffee, speciality teas, and Fentimans traditional soft drinks. I ordered a bottle of dandelion and burdock, and it was a refreshing accompaniment to my meal. The menu is not extensive, but there's a nice selection of light meals including jacket potatoes, homemade soup, sandwiches and toasties. I chose the ploughman's lunch, and it turned out to be a real feast, with thick slices of good quality ham, a pork pie, two types of cheese, dressed salad, apple slices, pickled gherkins, chutney, and two thick slices of soft seeded bread with butter. Everything on the plate was fresh and tasty, and the portions were generous. Good value for money too. Would certainly recommend this cafe both for the food and the friendly...

While visiting Helmsley walled garden we walked into the village centre and came across this beautiful coffee shop. Such a great find! We had coffee (with cream) and a cappuccino. We also ordered lunch, my husband had the steak and ale pie with mushy peas and gravy, I chose the sweet and savoury platter, you choose your sandwich filling, I chose bacon, brie and cranberry, you also get a side salad with coleslaw, plus crisps and a huge scone with jam and clotted cream. It was absolutely delicious, my husband had one of my 4 sandwiches, definitely a good hearty plateful and great value for money. If we are ever in the area again we shall make this a stop for a bite to eat. The staff are very good and attentive, checking if everything is OK and clearing tables as soon as they become vacant ( throughly cleaning even the outside tables, we sat outside) usually other places we've visited outside they will clear pots away but don't always wipe tables down....

Visited today at 12:00 seated quickly not busy and order taken quickly but the food didn't arrive for 45 minutes. At no point were we told there was a long wait or approached by anyone to inform us that it was taking longer. Food arrived and our child's order was wrong this was resolved quickly but not what we ordered. It was only two sandwiches and a ploughman's which were alright but nothing special. Another table left who were waiting for only a scone. I raised the issue when paying and that was the only time I got an apology and they said it was because they got a lot of orders in all at once but, we didnt get told this at the time. Not good service and meant we didn't get much time to explore helmsely. I hate leaving negative reviews but raising the issue in the cafe when paying I felt they didn't care so this needs to be raised. Communication is so important and if we had been kept up to date and an unforced apology was given I wouldn't have needed...