Mac And Jac's, Worcester

NESTLED in the heart of Worcester’s historic quarter is Mac and Jac’s deli and café.

The café is on the first floor of the higgledy piggledy, timberframed building, above the deli shop. Surprisingly light and airy, with views over Friar Street, most of the tables were full when we arrived for lunch.

On one wall the plaster has been chipped away to reveal the original building, complete with a decorative frieze.

This, together with the vaulted ceiling and uneven floor give the café a really quaint, snug feel.

Walking into the deli one Saturday we were immediately greeted by a friendly member of staff who happily showed us to a table for two upstairs.

Throughout our visit the service at Mac and Jac’s was superb – polite and friendly, and apparently intent on ensuring our visit was enjoyable.

The lunch menu has a choice of starters, sandwiches, grilled flatbreads and hot meals.

We chose home-made burger, in a grilled flatbread with barbecue sauce and salad, (£7.50) and a grazing plate for one with dips, salads, meats, cheese and bread, (£9).

The burger was fat, juicy, lean and delicious. Wrapped in a flatbread, which soaked up its herby juices, it was served with a tangy, sweet, barbecue sauce and noticeably fresh side salad.

Being pregnant, my companion had been concerned about the content of the grazing plate, but our waiter assured us this was not a problem. Any unpasturised cheeses could easily be replaced by other delicacies from the deli and, she was asked if there was anything else that she did not like.

What arrived was a platter of cured meats, home-made houmous, pickled artichoke, anchovies, lamb koftas, black olive tapenade and flatbreads, all of which she thoroughly enjoyed.

We rounded off our visit with dessert. I chose a latte coffee, (£2.10) and a slice of orange and carrot cake,(£2.70), which was light and moist.

My companion opted for a cup of chocolate tea (£1.85), from a wide selection of flavours on offer, and a warm pecan nut and raisin butter toffee tart, with crème fraiche, (£4.50). It proved to be rich, moreish and packed with fruit and nuts. Once again it was a real hit.

Most of the food at Mac and Jacs is made in-house and is available to buy downstairs in the deli. It is perhaps a little more expensive than your average café, but the quality of the food and the service make it well worth every penny.

We’ll definitely be returning.

HOW IT RATED

Food: 4
Service: 5
Ambience: 4
Value for money: 4