by Liz Allen

Created on: February 06, 2011

It was a disappointment to discover in December 2010 that the owners of the Vegetarian Greenhouse Cafe in Marmion Road, Southsea, were moving on. They assured their customers, however, that the place would be reopening in January with new owners. A few weeks later, this local eatery was renamed Capers, but it was no longer a vegetarian establishment. The menu promised homemade food, with the slogan 'Simply delicious'. 

The interior has changed little, except for the wallpaper around the main seating area. Under the previous owners, it was necessary to queue at the counter to place your order and pay at the same time. Space is very limited, and people entering and leaving often had to squeeze past those queueing. Capers has made a good move in making waitress service the order of the day, although payment still has to be made at the counter before you leave. 

There are plenty of interesting sandwiches to choose from at Capers. Bocadillos are traditional stone-baked baguettes, and you can choose from white or malted wheat; they are served with a mixed leaf salad and coleslaw. There are five choices of fillings, including fresh crab salad (£5.50), Montgomery cheddar and watercress with pear, date and ale chutney (£4.95) and honey-baked ham with avocado and roasted vine tomato (£5.25). Capers' ciabatta buns are made with olive oil and served with a green salad and coleslaw. Again there is a choice of five fillings, from grilled chorizo, roasted red pepper and rocket (£5.25) through mozzarella, green pesto, roasted vine tomatoes and rocket (£5.25) to marinated salmon, roasted vine tomato and watercress (£5.50). On a cold day, a toastie might be more appealing; there are two croissant and three panini versions to choose from. The toasted croissant with goat's cheese, pear and watercress is £5, as is the toasted panini with bacon, brie and date and ale chutney. 

Capers offers a full English breakfast or a vegetarian version for £5.50. Those with a smaller appetite can choose from fried, scrambled or poached eggs on toast (£3.25) and bacon or sausage baguette (£4). Add any 'Capers on the side' item for 70p: country pork sausage, baked beans, grilled tomato, rasher of dry cured bacon, egg or grilled field mushroom. Continental breakfast is £3.95, or for the smallest appetite an all-butter croissant with preserves is £1.95. Breakfasts are served throughout the day. 

For lunch

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