“They dined on mince and slices of quince
Which they ate with a runcible spoon”
So wrote Edward Lear in his nonsensical poem The Owl and The Pussycat which first saw light of day in 1871. So what is a runcible spoon? Well it’s forklike with three prongs, with one prong having a sharp serrated edge for cutting. Often referred to as a grapefruit spoon.
As well as being a spork THE RUNCIBLE SPOON is also the name of a wonderful Yorkshire coast gem of a cafe/restaurant situated on the main Whitby to Staithes road. Emma has run the licensed premises for 6 years and has created a warm and friendly atmosphere. Everything is served with a warm welcome which Yorkshire is rightly proud and famous for.
There is a good selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks available. The coffee is excellent too. Here we have home cooking and baking at it’s best. Special diets are all catered for- just ask. A daily selection of specials tempt the palette. Quiche is always available plus much more delicious home baked fare. The cakes are all covered up and that for me is the sign of a good eatery. Our sandwiches were filling, superbly presented and oh so tasty- as was the coleslaw and freshly prepared salad.
The Runcible Spoon is smartly decorated and very clean. Books and local art are on sale. It is the hub of the community offering monthly music nights and speciality stone baked pizza available as a take away too. Coming soon is an instore bakery. The lovely outdoor area was a suntrap on the day we visited – hard to believe it is late Feb 2019.
Great cakes. Great atmosphere. Great welcome. THE RUNCIBLE SPOON cafe, restaurant, gallery, shop and B and B. Do give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
16 HIGH STREET, HINDERWELL, SALTBURN-BY-THE -SEA TS13 5JH – 01947 840700 – www.runciblespoon.net
And finally
The Owl and the Pussycat went on a boating holiday in Brittany. Two of the pussycat’s nephews went with them. Unfortunately they sailed into a storm and the boat began letting in water. The Owl was able to fly away but all the felines sadly drowned. The local paper ran the story with the headline – “un, deux, trois cat sank”
