The BlackTom. For and about the community.

So you're in town shopping or visiting the market and you want to find somewhere good for lunch. But where? For a few years now, I have been meeting a friend for lunch once a week and we now have a little circuit of good eateries that I am going to share with you. The risk is that all my favourites will become busy and my lunching days will be over, but that is a risk I will take. If it encourages others to follow suit and offer simple, good value, well prepared food then it will be worth taking the risk.

La Dolce Vita, Dame Alice Street is just along from the main Post Office.
The 'Lunchtime Special' with a choice of Pastas and Sauces and a side salad is supplemented with a specials board that changes every day depending on what they have available. The pasta is cooked just to the point of tenderness (al dente, as it should be but so seldom is) and the sauces are really tasty my favourite is the Marinara sauce, which is loaded with seafood, but there are many others to choose from. Not cheap-cheap, but reasonably priced and very good.

Gospoda Polish Bistro, St. Cuthberts Street.
This little bistro, just up the road from the Polish Church (the one in the middle of the roundabout) is a great place for Lunch. It's only two minutes walk from the High Street, but being on a back street seems to have gone unnoticed. For cold days, they have a good selection of Soups; a yellow split pea and ham soup with pieces of spicy sausage is my favourite, but the Barley, Cucumber, Mushroom and others are also good. The Beetroot soup (I know, but take my word for it and try it) is truly delicious. They also have a range of Polish stews and goulashes that are gorgeous, and what I can best describe as Polish 'Ravioli' called Pierogi, that have a range of tasty fillings. On hot days, the Icymochachino, an iced coffee made with chocolate and ice cream is a delight, and the range of sandwiches and salads are all good eating. Excellent value.

The Three Cups, Newnham Street.
Another place tucked away out of sight, and under new management that has decided to offer traditional pub grub, at very sensible prices. The lambs liver I had was beautifully cooked. There is always a risk that liver will be overcooked and ruined, but not a bit of it here. I am told that they will cook it to your taste, so if you want it pink in the middle (and why not) then ask for it. The bangers and mash, chicken curry and chilli con carne that my mates had were all praised. The good selection of real ales compliments the food. Well worth the five minutes walk from the High Street. Excellent value.

Idols, Lime Street.
A nice Pastiche of an American style diner, with undoubtedly the best burgers in Bedford. The free jukebox is a nice touch. The patties are locally made, and the burgers are freshly prepared with an astounding range of toppings. They are served with a choice of fries or a freshly made crisp and colourful salad, and they even have vegeburgers which, I am told, are also very good. The menu is supplemented by few other choices, but it is the burgers that really sell this place.

Orlando's, Commercial Road.
This is a well renowned restaurant, which produces Mediterranean inspired food with exceptional flair, not many people know that they also provide a splendid lunch menu. Imaginative dishes, freshly cooked, this place should not be missed.
A recent visit to appraise the new menu had me trying chorizo sausage served with refried beans. I know this may not sound too exciting, but believe me it is and worth trying. They also have homemade lemon sole fish fingers served with proper home made tartare sauce and chunky chips. In the warmer weather they have a super garden out the back.
For the less adventurous, the steak sandwich is good choice, served with chunky chips, it makes a good filling meal.

Cellar V, High Street.
Half way down the high street on the right hand side facing the river, and as the name suggests it is in a cellar. A simple pasta and pizza place serving straight forward food well. And the novelty of being in the cellar makes this place quite charming. I does not make any claim to maturity!

The Skyline at Bedford College, Cauldwell Street.
Probably not the place to walk in carrying all your bags, this is Bedford's best-kept secret. The restaurant is on the 5th floor of the tower block on the Bedford College campus. This is where the catering students get to practice their skills on a grateful public. Silver service and imaginative menus that change weekly, offering you a choice of three starters, three mains and three desserts including vegetarian options. These are people in training, and that is part of the charm of this place, however it is all overseen by award winning staff and the food reflects that. Embarrassingly good value.

China Palace, Lime Street.
There are a numerous places offering an all you can eat buffet, but this place in my opinion is the best and even has crispy aromatic duck amongst the lunchtime offerings. The food is all well prepared and well presented, and the service is attentive without being over the top. Evenings they also have mussels on offer as well as squid and crabs claws.

Alfonse the Baked Potato shop, The Broadway.
As well as the best all day breakfast in Bedford, complete with Black Pudding, this place offers baked potatoes with a range of tasty home made fillings. It is really difficult to select a favourite here, the New Orleans Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, the Hungarian Beef Goulash, and Chilli con Carne are all excellent choices, but I think the Cajun Chicken is particularly fine.

Rajkot, Indian 'tapas' bar at the top of the High Street.
Has a good reputation for evening eating, but also does a lunch special of a Curry, Rice and Naan. The Pahidi chicken is the dish that originally sold me on this place. The rich sauce contains pieces of lamb, so this is a curry with two meats in it. If you think this is just my greed showing through, all I can say is give it a try, and then judge me.

These are my opinions and not necessarily those of blacktom.org which endeavours to remains impartial at all times, E.E Jopp.