Scone Spy: Melrose’s Apples for Jam is a picturesque little gem in the Borders

WE’RE in Melrose and looking for somewhere for a bite to eat.

Oh, where to choose? There are few options, with the look of the café and the tempting menus being pluses to pull us in.

And both were certainly reasons for picking this little coffee shop in the Borders town of Melrose.

But, frankly, it’s the name that first catches our eye.

Apples For Jam. What a lovely little name.

It’s handily positioned right in the middle of the High Street, which we’re so glad to see still has an old-fashioned bakers and a traditional butchers.

The selection of homemade pies and pastries in the windows makes the tummy rumble.

From the outside Apples For Jam looks pretty as a picture – and that turns out to be rather apt. It bills itself as a Gallery and Kitchen.

And, as we step inside, we see the walls are lined with pictures for sale. It’s a gift shop, too, with hand-crafted items of jewellery.

The whole look could hardly be more cute and chintzy.

Everything is bright and fresh, with white tables and chairs to match the white walls.

It’s not too big– there are just four of the aforementioned tables. But it’s quiet, with just one currently occupied by a young mum and toddler who is getting loads of attention from the three girls behind the counter.

There’s no danger of bought-in standardisation and we can see home-baked goodies everywhere in five glass bell jars on the counter.

And we get a wee buzz – I can’t help it, it’s what gets a Scone Spy through the day – as we see a pile of fresh scones amongst them.

There are two types, fruit, which we choose, and cheese.

But it’s lunchtime and we’re in the mood for something else, too.

The soups of the day are sweet potato, coconut and chilli or cauliflower and Stilton.

The sandwich and tart options get our vote, though.

Tuna mayo or ham and mustard are two of the options but the mature cheddar and chutney sounds good.

So too does the bacon and onion tart which comes nicely warmed along with a cappuccino and a hot chocolate (£17 for the lot).

The tart was sensational, with a lovely crisp crust while the sandwich was well filled with a sticky chutney.

The scone was soft and crumbly with chunks of fresh butter and a little jar of jam.

As mentioned it’s a gallery too and we find ourselves in discussion with an American tourist querying the location of a castle in one of the pastel watercolours on the wall.

It’s that sort of place, friendly and chatty. So if you’re hitting the tourist trail in the Borders, this is one real High Street highlight.

Warm Welcome 9/10, Location, Location 9/10, Scone Score 9/10

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