GASTRO pubs and swanky restaurants are all well and good but no town centre should be without its fair share of decent cafes, the kind of establishment you can just call into mid-shop for a reviving brew or something more substantial.

Unlike some of our towns, Clitheroe is pretty well-blessed for such eateries with Molly’s nestling in the shadow of the castle.

The double-fronted cafe is unpretentious yet appealing with a light, airy feel and pleasing decor.

A glass cabinet full of tempting homemade cakes and bakes was first thing to catch the eye but we were in the mood for “proper solids” as my erstwhile colleague and cricket guru Matt Donlan is apt to call them.

The menu is the standard modern cafe fare – jacket potatoes, toasted sandwiches and wraps – but the three-egg omelette caught both our eyes I opted for cheese with the better half going for ham and both came with a decent portion of chips and a tasty side salad – decent value at £6.75.

Omelettes are the sort of thing that any cafe worth the name should knock out with ease and yet so many get wrong. No such worries with Molly’s where the omelette was light and golden and the filling generous.

Add a very good – and very large –- latte for £2.20 and you can see why Molly’s tables were much in demand late into the afternoon.

VERDICT

  • Food: 8
  • Drink: 8
  • Service: 8
  • Atmosphere: 8
  • Value: 8