Olive’s Bar
A WARM WELCOME TO ALL!
Orwell Crossing Lorry Park welcomes all customers with a warmth that undoubtedly springs from the family who own and run the very popular ‘Dickie’s Restaurant’ and ‘Olive’s Bar’.
Customers are met with a friendly greeting from one of the front of house team, and a suitable table provided. The young staff make every effort to ensure that people are comfortable and well looked after.
Full table service is offered from 12pm until 9.30pm in the 24 hour award-winning restaurant (BBC Salt & Pepper 4 Star Award). You can choose popular items from the House menu, such as the 8oz Sirloin Steak, or the Daily Chef’s Specials. Don’t forget to have one of the delicious home-made desserts! The wine is good too, for around £10.99 a bottle.
And no, we were not parking a lorry! We were general customers who called in for a meal on a weekday evening. Lorry drivers and locals mix with no concern for who sits where, all customers being greeted and looked after equally.
A ‘gig guide’ advertises bands, quizzes, karaoke and other events which are open to all. These are held in the bright and cheerful ‘Olive’s Bar’ where there is a proper stage, lights and a decent sized dance floor. Some of the Country & Western Sunday Special Early Starters (4pm) are £10 admission and if you don’t book early, they are sold out!
There are Truck Shows, Radio Rallies, Custom and Vintage Car gatherings and meetings of various Clubs on a regular basis.
After our meal, we moved into the lounge area for our coffees, and were comfortable on mix and match sofas, and more upright armchairs for those who need a little support.
It was very pleasant just to relax. There was no rush to move us out so the tables could be used for other people coming in: it’s a very large restaurant and bar, with seating for 300 or so.
The owners manage ‘Dickie’s Restaurant’ and ‘Olive’s Bar’ themselves, together with several family members, from brothers and sisters to sons and grandsons – how much more of a family feel could you get?
The Rout family, Derek, Karl and John, are ably assisted in the day to day running of the facility by Karl’s partner Anne Blowers (Senior Manager) and members of her family: Sarah Rushworth (Assistant Manager), Mark Franklin (Night and Security Manager) and George, Anne’s grandson, (Waiter)
Brian Beacall, Orwell Crossing’s Head Chef, is in command of the kitchen and leads a team of six Chefs, using locally sourced ingredients, including meats from Cracknell’s Butchers, sausages from Proctor’s of Ipswich, and seasonal vegetables grown on the family farm, where there is now a poly-tunnel, in which Karl is growing salad and fruit for the restaurant.
The family feel is reflected in the clientele, local families come for Sunday lunch. The ‘Best Breakfast in Britain’ (Truck and Driver Magazine 2009) is always popular. Also available are sandwiches and snacks. The desserts are made ‘in-house’ and the Cheesecakes are to die for!
We will be back, I am looking forward to the Country & Western Special Sunday events.
Thursday nights are well attended, the ‘middle of the road’ music provides a very sociable atmosphere with dancing, and the opportunity to talk about more than the price of fuel and the latest hold up on the M25!
The comfortable friendly atmosphere, delicious menu, and varied entertainment undoubtedly are reflected in Orwell Crossings new motto: good food, good music, good times!
Olive
Johns boys and Mum
