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Lymington cafe Babelas offering up fresh, veg packed dishes with a Mediterranean focus




A NEW cafe dedicated to serving up healthy and affordable meals using only the freshest ingredients has opened in Lymington.

Babelas, run by Peter Bendon (27), has taken the place of vegan eatery The Tinkers Granddaughter on the High Street.

The menu has a Mediterranean focus and includes lots of vegetarian options and fresh salads.

Peter Bendon opened Babelas cafe in Lymington in August
Peter Bendon opened Babelas cafe in Lymington in August

As well as all-day breakfast dishes, such as scrambled eggs, pesto and parmesan on sourdough and an autumnal homemade muesli crumble with poached berries, lunch offerings include Save some Shroom - garlic and savoury mushrooms on sourdough topped with cream cheese and peashoots - No Grainer, a vegan bowl packed with veg; and Mediterranean Bruschetta, made up of roasted aubergine and peppers on chilli alioli focaccia with grilled pear and halloumi.

Babelas Roasted butternut sqaush, beetroot and goats cheese salad
Babelas Roasted butternut sqaush, beetroot and goats cheese salad

As well as Bad Hand coffee, customers can enjoy a glass of wine with their food from a pretty extensive list made up of South African, French and Spanish varieties.

Peter, who opened Babelas in late August after a complete revamp of the premises, said he prides himself on providing customers with “really fresh, good food at an affordable price”.

Babelas Save some Sroom
Babelas Save some Sroom

Plans are afoot to host South African themed evenings each month, with set menus featuring “meat heavy” barbecues and wine pairings, and in the approach to Christmas the venue can be hired for festive dining.

“We’re fully licensed,” said Peter. “So we’ll be opening in the evenings - although this may go back in winter.”

Babelas Autumnal muesli crumble with poached berries
Babelas Autumnal muesli crumble with poached berries

Peter sources his coffee from Bad Hand based in Bournemouth, and uses Bakehouse24 sourdough.

“We’re the only place in Lymington offering Bad Hand coffee,” he said. “We use a bean from Brazil that has a lovely creamy, caramel quality to it.”

Peter, who currently live in Beaulieu but will soon be moving to Lymington, has worked in the hospitality industry since the age of 16.

The venue will host Christmas dining
The venue will host Christmas dining

“I’ve managed restaurants in London and Southampton,” he said. “It’s always been the goal to run my own place and have full creative control - it’s great to get the experience managing but you are limited in terms of what you can do.

“I had a break from hospitality to work on yachts in the Mediterranean as a deckhand, but I missed working in the industry. I love the social side of what I do, meeting new people, and no two days are ever the same.”

Peter’s ultimate aim is to “create a proper brand” and branch out into other areas locally like Christchurch and Bournemouth.

“Of course the focus right now is putting all of my energy into getting this place up and running,” he added. “Then we can see where we are. But we’ve had a really strong start and great feedback.”

For more information about Babelas, visit www.babelas.co.uk



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