tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21651834953633997952024-02-19T09:16:41.963-08:00teashopandcaffNoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-11377941264233141512023-09-30T14:21:00.004-07:002023-09-30T23:01:50.100-07:00Soprano's in Sevenoaks<p>I've been visiting Soprano's in Sevenoaks for some time. It's one of those places where you know you're going to get some good food. I'm not saying it's something special. No, it's a caff at the end of the day, but in all honesty, caffs are where it's at, they always have been. Simple. If I had to guess how many times I'd visited this particular caff, I'd say half a dozen times, not that many, but I know one thing: it's a place I can trust for a good snack. And trust is the crux of everything.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgT-9yJ6k75HR7swnprZdU1n8wptv1GimX21ZJeBh9HfnmLyfq_HVt2VX_qAxYh3DJ7js22X1vC_x4ytL0m-b3q0NOTAjh4ZV8_9WYHP60XyjZ86bQ2tCeIBuEk0pTNr_YZUTB7veh0-jOIIKEEEvIv2MNwcaizmlJ4CAXPM7VIJ6SOx3o7y0LI2aeyM-/s784/SopranosExterior.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgT-9yJ6k75HR7swnprZdU1n8wptv1GimX21ZJeBh9HfnmLyfq_HVt2VX_qAxYh3DJ7js22X1vC_x4ytL0m-b3q0NOTAjh4ZV8_9WYHP60XyjZ86bQ2tCeIBuEk0pTNr_YZUTB7veh0-jOIIKEEEvIv2MNwcaizmlJ4CAXPM7VIJ6SOx3o7y0LI2aeyM-/w400-h300/SopranosExterior.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soprano's in Sevenoaks, 30 September 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was there today (30th September 2023). But I narrowly dodged a bullet. Those with me wanted to go to Wagamama, but no, anything but that I was thinking! Fortunately there were huge queues outside of the place so I thought we'd head to Sopranos instead, although that's not strictly how things happened. My companions had been to Soprano's already - while I was parking the car. They found it full and sent me a text saying they were heading for Wagamama instead. I really wasn't that happy, but fortunately I passed it before they did and noticed the huge queues. We headed back to Soprano's where a vacant table certainly lifted my spirits.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5w2IckYD6o575bl95qQY4HLFjl0hBofSYRdgW3v30ah0ODKh0SdwtteEqZoWJyH1TkONUL4PKOGkRYwyeOnCu6TJm9uLmVfKE_TkBlX8Fm8KRKpfu3fFlvo9KGmT_W2Bo98vVqdPGL-pr512ZB8ipapsmIaa2FrbL2hqbxy3BqEL0ZVR-dTtSHRx16uhr/s588/SopranosInt.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="441" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5w2IckYD6o575bl95qQY4HLFjl0hBofSYRdgW3v30ah0ODKh0SdwtteEqZoWJyH1TkONUL4PKOGkRYwyeOnCu6TJm9uLmVfKE_TkBlX8Fm8KRKpfu3fFlvo9KGmT_W2Bo98vVqdPGL-pr512ZB8ipapsmIaa2FrbL2hqbxy3BqEL0ZVR-dTtSHRx16uhr/w300-h400/SopranosInt.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>We were shoe-horned in and handed laminated menus. Two salmon pancakes were ordered and I chose a traditional Tuscan flatbread (Jerzy Piadina) filled with chicken, pesto and cheese. And it was that last ingredient that was nagging at me. When I examined the menu I soon realised that virtually every dish included cheese, it was hard to avoid it. But there was no point going elsewhere. <p></p><p>There were problems. The waiter committed the ultimate sin: he tried to upsell us with a portion of chips. We didn't want chips but he foisted them upon us and I wasn't quick enough to notice what he'd done. That was annoying. So annoying that it coloured our entire experience. We felt a little bit conned and I hate that. There's nothing worse. In fact, it was so annoying and affected everything and will probably mean that we don't visit Soprano's for a very long time. Why? Because we will always remember it and that will drive us to find somewhere else to eat until, one day, we forgive them. It's amazing how small things can change my entire relationship with a restaurant. One of my favourite all-time 'caffs' is the Pop Inn in Redhill. I used to go there all the time and slowly made my way through the menu, loving every minute of the place, getting to know the staff and so on. Recently, however, I asked for one piece of toast and marmalade and was told by the waitress that I have to order two slices. I did, but I have now resolved never to go back there. Why couldn't I have just one slice of toast? There was no reason and that's why I'm not going back there for a very long time.</p><p>The bill for the two salmon pancakes, the Jerzy Piadina, the infamous small portion of chips, a cappuccino, a pot of tea and a hot chocolate was £36.35.</p>NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-33783562437474361762023-01-21T14:28:00.003-08:002023-01-22T00:54:29.781-08:00Coffee at Kiwi House, Limpsfield Village, near Oxted, Surrey<p>Riding down Titsey Hill on a bicycle weighing up my options: do I turn right and head towards Oxted where a choice of Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero and a couple of independents nestle quietly in the High Street awaiting my custom or do I bear left and ride through Limpsfield Village where I think there's an independent coffee shop. If I opt for the latter will it be open, is it still there? It doesn't matter as I can always double back, head up Granville Road and ride into Oxted for cup of chain store cappuccino.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K-DJ0tk1rxUWSxNQVSBEPd8Ol3nAz2F-FklhLNHzoGCrtY1cxEPNEgld1_bfsw4My--R9MuMnnxY-drPmnX8FCtAIKHRo7CvrFEY3O5RBB06JuKIDVyb_NQvSt2mXW0RPKk716MBnOMvhXMAytioAa4yNmvBfBzWRtxVDbE30tPK9xyx0zggVAok1A/s791/ExtShotKiwiHouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="791" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K-DJ0tk1rxUWSxNQVSBEPd8Ol3nAz2F-FklhLNHzoGCrtY1cxEPNEgld1_bfsw4My--R9MuMnnxY-drPmnX8FCtAIKHRo7CvrFEY3O5RBB06JuKIDVyb_NQvSt2mXW0RPKk716MBnOMvhXMAytioAa4yNmvBfBzWRtxVDbE30tPK9xyx0zggVAok1A/w400-h300/ExtShotKiwiHouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee at Kiwi House, Limpsfield Village, Surrey</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Fortunately, it was open and it was called Coffee at Kiwi House, a rather strange name for a coffee shop, but what a wondrous place! Wooden floors and furniture, a little bit on the trendy side, run by women (the best coffee shops are run by women!) and there was also a very feminine edge to the clientele too. Alright, there were two men in there, chatting away, plus yours truly, but there were more groups of women, some old, some young and the vibe was laid back and friendly.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANYQo9hLYuc4TGWRmnKZCxl3GrOgc_Q8RO7zAUF7WM1ZJySZDCrbvryTfxIcrGJ5rWmdO9YadgL4X9R9aVAkpn9VOrn5YCJp5oWG698rXZz8p8PGM_XdTpwzyTTrX0LtJgw3bt5ottMZyxi-859uu525pXTzZt6qm4MYSMVb9PEIt7LAygVauYHzqKQ/s593/CappoatKiwiHouse.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="445" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANYQo9hLYuc4TGWRmnKZCxl3GrOgc_Q8RO7zAUF7WM1ZJySZDCrbvryTfxIcrGJ5rWmdO9YadgL4X9R9aVAkpn9VOrn5YCJp5oWG698rXZz8p8PGM_XdTpwzyTTrX0LtJgw3bt5ottMZyxi-859uu525pXTzZt6qm4MYSMVb9PEIt7LAygVauYHzqKQ/s320/CappoatKiwiHouse.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cappuccino and an almond croissant</td></tr></tbody></table>And now I'm going to make a huge claim. I would argue that the cappuccino I enjoyed at this great establishment was, by a mile, the best I've experienced... anywhere in the world - and believe me when I say I've had my fair share of frothy coffee in stores throughout Europe and in the USA. Now, you might think that an extravagant claim, but I stand by it in the same way that, up until recently (and I'll qualify that word 'recently' in a minute) I would argue that the best almond croissant I've ever eaten was purchased from an AMT Coffee kiosk on East Croydon station. Recently, however, there appears to be either none left or they've stopped using that particular supplier. And talking of almond croissants, the ones on offer at Coffee at Kiwi House are certainly 'up there'; they're a million times better than anything I'm likely to experience in a chain operation and I would say that my purchase of a cappuccino (the best in the world) and an almond croissant (let's for now say the second best in the world) was well worth the money spent. I can't remember exactly how much, but let's assume it was in the region of £7. <p></p><p>I sat there looking out of the window and then perusing the laminated menu left on the wooden table. It was nice to be in the warm and I certainly wasn't looking forward to going back outside, jumping on the bike and riding up the rather daunting Titsey Hill. And that, of course, is the problem with coffee shops in general: you're not there for the long haul, it's a quick fix, a coffee, an almond croissant and then you must be on your way. </p><p>The all-day menu had plenty to offer the weary and the not so weary. Scrambled egg made with three free range eggs (£7.50); avocado and tomato with coriander, extra virgin olive oil and lime (£8.00). Both the scrambled eggs and the avocado are served with either wholemeal or white bloomer, bagel or toast (gluten free); and let's not forget the additional extras ranging from grilled tomatoes (£1.25); baked beans (£2.00); sliced avocado (£2.50); sausages or bacon (both £2.75) and then smoked salmon (£3.25). A toast portion is £3.00 with an extra £1 charge for sourdough. Home-made granola will set you back a fiver, creamy porridge is £3.50 and then there are a range of panini breads for £6.75, fairly pricey sandwiches ranging from £7 for thick smoked bacon or pork sausages up to a staggering £9.75 for an egg, bacon and sausage sandwich - although I can't vouch for what you get for the money (that's why a return trip is needed). I'm guessing, based on my assessment of the place and having enjoyed the ambience with a coffee and croissant, that it's good and filling and not disappointing, I just get that vibe from the place. Posh Cheese on Toast comes at a posh price (£7.50) although it is served with a side salad as is a home-made quiche, which also comes with salad. There's a ploughman's lunch which will set you back £9 or £11 depending on what you have - sliced ham, mature Cheddar or brie. Two choices for the lower price, three for top dollar.</p><p>My almond croissant set me back £3.00. A plain one costs £2.50 and is served with jam and butter. Cakes range from £2.50 to £3.50 for small and large varieties and believe me, the larger ones are large and look very impressive. Home-made scones and toasted tea cakes cost £2.75.</p><p>I sat there enjoying the vibe, enjoying the almond croissant and calmly sipping my cappuccino, which must have set me back just over £3.00. The price list is on a board behind the counter and I can't remember exactly how much it was. All I do know is that I'll definitely be making a return visit to sample the food on offer.</p>NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-72045370236027845562022-09-07T10:00:00.004-07:002022-09-07T12:33:45.075-07:00The Peckish Café, Haywards Heath, East Sussex...<p>There's a whacky music shop next door to the Peckish Café in Haywards Heath in East Sussex and I simply had to take a look before checking out the culinary delights of the caff, of which more later. I didn't spend more than a minute in the music shop as a change of ownership was underway. I spoke to the man who had taken over, who hailed from a more well-known establishment in London's Denmark Street, and he explained how there were big plans afoot for the shop, but from what I could see there was nothing but a jumble of musical instruments of all shapes and sizes. I figured I might be able to get a decent Fender Precision bass guitar for a next-to-nothing price - not that I can play a note, but I'm good at working things out and have always fancied sitting around at home on a cold winter's night trying to work out the bass line of this or that tune. The man started talking about some obscure brand of instrument for just £299 and I figured that it wouldn't be up to much so I made my excuses and left (and I won't be returning despite exhibiting a level of crazed enthusiasm for what the man was planning to do with the place).</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H_rF5jGFfE5Yn_IZZvC4rb5zZtRgE3YSkdXDpZQuXKZz3QCbkP7r_a6m8ONeRDOdFk-JArs5pWM57hnIOIoGpphYuGVlMu5HIdrnyC0XFoNhmWmGJAwvgqByo9rAg7O9-bwhiXSSPhltzoF0vvLUBC9Z1tQixNSzg1_aW_7AJQG5gnYm7OL8iU0p-A/s640/Unknown-6.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H_rF5jGFfE5Yn_IZZvC4rb5zZtRgE3YSkdXDpZQuXKZz3QCbkP7r_a6m8ONeRDOdFk-JArs5pWM57hnIOIoGpphYuGVlMu5HIdrnyC0XFoNhmWmGJAwvgqByo9rAg7O9-bwhiXSSPhltzoF0vvLUBC9Z1tQixNSzg1_aW_7AJQG5gnYm7OL8iU0p-A/s320/Unknown-6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see it from the train!</td></tr></tbody></table>I bowled into the Peckish Café next door with all the bravado of a seventies television game show host and was immediately taken aback by the general finish of the place; let's just say it was a little, well, down at heel is probably the kindest way to describe it. I don't know about you, but when a place looks a little rough there's a strong chance that the food might be equally rubbish, although there was a fair choice of breakfasts and omelettes, 'jacked potatoes', main courses, paninis, sandwiches and what have you all at the sort of prices you might expect to pay in a 'caff' these days. And when I say 'the sort of prices you might expect to pay', I mean 'extortionate'. That might be a little harsh, but then it is a criticism of caffs in general where simple menu items (like, say, a chicken baguette) will cost the earth. Take, for instance, a chicken and pesto panini (not on the menu, but I asked for one as I preferred not to eat the chicken and cheese panini which didn't really appeal). They gave me an initial strange look – <i>'he wants to veer off of the main menu!'</i> – but they agreed and soon, along with a large mug of tea that set me back a reasonable but oddly priced £1.59 – I was given my lunch. To be honest (because I'm nothing but honest on this blog) it was a little disappointing mainly because of its size; it was small and I expected more for the money, even if they did offer salad and I refused it. I guess the salad would have made it look a little more value-for-money than it was, but it was £5.49 for the panini and £1.59 for tea (why £1.59?) and together that added up to £7.08. I suppose, judging by the prices in other caffs it's on a par, but I still felt a little resentful paying just over seven quid for a tiny chicken roll and a mug of tea. And guess what? No dessert menu. I was in the mood for an apple pie and custard, but was told they don't offer them anymore. Why the hell not? Surely an apple pie and custard is a caff staple, or it should be. Clearly not at the Peckish Café where those feeling peckish might question the very name of the establishment if they can't order a simple dish like an apple pie.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK6hx5A5yP_S-WcNEW2MgRDCDef9514cjh9gs8injS2PzS8j85OC3E7m-i5fEewMP3MKNMCMxEOyEA-RfFLIyUfGKEmcogYA5dmL-EP8ZPqWElp30GYbjhzO5LhjQrobTVRQlmevmIccqCr-Cm6k5mTp_2fOfqT_m2qMyazNGazCSaEKkImrjO2_Y3w/s640/Unknown-8.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK6hx5A5yP_S-WcNEW2MgRDCDef9514cjh9gs8injS2PzS8j85OC3E7m-i5fEewMP3MKNMCMxEOyEA-RfFLIyUfGKEmcogYA5dmL-EP8ZPqWElp30GYbjhzO5LhjQrobTVRQlmevmIccqCr-Cm6k5mTp_2fOfqT_m2qMyazNGazCSaEKkImrjO2_Y3w/s320/Unknown-8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken and pesto pannini and tea</td></tr></tbody></table>The general grubby nature of the decor was a little off-putting, especially when there was a large Waitrose café just across the road where, dare I say it, slightly more well-heeled people were on their iPads and doing things Waitrose people like to do; but don't get me wrong, I'm a caff lover through and through and places like the Peckish Café are always high on my agenda. I just think it could do with a lick of paint and some decent tables and a dessert menu... and they need to take a long hard look at their portion sizes. To me, caffs are all about big portions (huge portions) and value for money and for some reason the down-at-heel decor didn't do the Peckish Café any favours. Not that I was longing for the Waitrose Café, I wasn't, but the meal was just not cricket I'm afraid, something was amiss and it had plenty to do with portion size and no desserts. That said, I'm glad they didn't have any desserts because I'm in the mood for <a href="https://clockworkmotorboats.blogspot.com/2022/05/comfort-its-about-more-than-eating-cake.html">comfort eating</a> at the moment (I need the comfort, believe me, I need it) and it would have been something else to fret about on the bike ride home. Talking of which, I need to change into my cycling gear and get out on the road!<p></p>NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-51125285654544320072022-03-10T10:51:00.008-08:002023-09-30T23:02:36.447-07:00Flavours, Warlingham Green, Surrey, United Kingdom<p>Discovering a new 'caff' on my doorstep is always cause for celebration, even if the caff in question has been in place for some time. I've passed by many times, but I've never been inside, until recently. It's one of those long and narrow affairs with a servery counter on the left as you walk in, widening out at the rear, and my favourite seat is right at the back in the left hand corner.</p><p>One of the best aspects of Flavours, well, actually, there are many 'best' aspects so let's discuss them one-by-one: first the full English breakfast consisting of sausage, bacon, fried egg, toast and a choice of either baked beans or tomatoes (choose the former as the only thing I don't like about it is the tomatoes. Why? Because they're tinned plum tomatoes and for me, they're only good when used to make chilli con carne or spaghetti bolognaise, although, to be honest, my preference would be for tinned chopped tomatoes. How true this is I don't know, but somebody once told me that tinned tomatoes - be they plum or chopped - are better for you healthwise that actual tomatoes.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjElBSIZUBGaxlMtzR2mH9vkE0uubpxF9dgt2FPnBjHJtMdzI6YxG-i_94SdwKxqx1GhApKBaazJ5lgzsLgNjWxRyS8aPA0E-XX53-Ph8GqolQtuLhdoBETuC7ttAWKIP7TxMzAZL_Vx_PABFt_ht_YKb4Y97jxaNq_fqrx1xZGPv3513V4ui9j6qxrdA=s593" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="445" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjElBSIZUBGaxlMtzR2mH9vkE0uubpxF9dgt2FPnBjHJtMdzI6YxG-i_94SdwKxqx1GhApKBaazJ5lgzsLgNjWxRyS8aPA0E-XX53-Ph8GqolQtuLhdoBETuC7ttAWKIP7TxMzAZL_Vx_PABFt_ht_YKb4Y97jxaNq_fqrx1xZGPv3513V4ui9j6qxrdA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Full English at Flavours, Warlingham</td></tr></tbody></table>The second plus point of Flavours is the fact that they make their own millionaires shortbread. The 'lady of house' is in charge of these and I think the man (who I'm guessing is her other half) makes the breakfasts, although there is help in the kitchen so who knows who does what, I'm just guessing.<p></p><p>A third plus point is that the people working there: they're friendly, they like a chat, they put you at ease and that's all you want at all times, to be put at ease, to feel relaxed and in safe hands.</p><p>I've only ever had the full English breakfast plus a mug of tea, everything else seems to pale into insignificance, if that's the right phrase; it's the place to go when you're in the mood for a full English, a good old nosh up, and for two people it will cost you around £20 if you indulge a little and order a millionaire's shortbread.</p><p>I mentioned tea, and for good reason: it's excellent and it comes in a decent-sized white mug. It's been a few months since I last visited and now that I'm writing this I feel I ought to go again and soon. Well, to be honest, since that last sentence was written I have been there again. I was there just the other day, last Saturday to be precise, and every time I visit I order the same thing, the Full English.</p><p>There is outdoor seating for hotter, drier days when customers can take in the fresh air and watch the hustle and bustle of Warlingham Green.</p><p>But there is a problem. They only accept cash and it doesn't matter how many times I go there, I always forget. Fortunately, there's a cashpoint virtually next door and a Co-op across the green that cashes money so I doubt you'll be caught out. Personally I think people who don't accept debit and credit cards are behind the times, but each to their own. All I know is that the food is good and it's always worth a visit. You can always assess the quality of a caff by the quality of its sausages and Flavours offers brilliant sausages with their full English breakfast, so I have no real complaints and will, no doubt, return again soon.</p>NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-36561834140939476902019-09-18T13:53:00.000-07:002019-09-18T14:07:32.102-07:00Skylight Diner, 402 West 34th St, New York, USA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been four months since I last found myself in New York City. The last time was because the hotel I was staying in stole my passport. I was in Pittsburgh, but had to travel to New York to get hold of an emergency passport in order to fly home. This time I was in New York for a better reason: I was on holiday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2XiCT0D7zTr_qm_kBDHX7JVzvrRBzlpjXEUaf8qOV6K9HffMdSnItZEoak02kaj5sSFHtC3uGcvwjOLgRkG-NPvV3bZ7I0Im-09IUV2AHdsxIIiMDs_YfM-0Ctl0bzdAMcEcDe7SJ7Ai/s1600/IMG_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="439" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2XiCT0D7zTr_qm_kBDHX7JVzvrRBzlpjXEUaf8qOV6K9HffMdSnItZEoak02kaj5sSFHtC3uGcvwjOLgRkG-NPvV3bZ7I0Im-09IUV2AHdsxIIiMDs_YfM-0Ctl0bzdAMcEcDe7SJ7Ai/s400/IMG_5972.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Skylight Diner in New York...</td></tr>
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There was (and is) plenty to do and see: the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Macy's, the 9/11 memorial and, of course, a traditional American diner.<br />
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I was staying in the NewYorker Hotel on 34th Street, a great place, it has to be said, and an even greater concierge who knew just the place to visit for breakfast.<br />
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The Skylight Diner was just across the road and I couldn't wait to have a big breakfast. And by 'big' I only really needed a bowl of porridge and fresh fruit, just like what I eat at home. Here in the USA, they call porridge oatmeal and I ordered a huge bowl of it along with strawberries, blueberries and sliced banana (see photo below). That and a cup of Lipton's English Breakfast tea (decaff) was very English, but it was all I wanted. I could have eaten much more; there was, for example, a whole section devoted to omelettes hovering around the $9 to $12 mark. How about an avocado omelette ($10.95) or an egg white low cholesterol omelette ($12.45) and containing peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomato and basil. There's a classic Denver omelette containing ham, peppers and onions ($10.95) or an Anthony Quinn omelette with tomato and feta cheese ($12.45).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycFB5pavCJbXSjwS9tC25r3IPzDUDuJuG-D9j8PYW1ITQbsQGGnhPY9OFtEtU5jbydhMiYx16uF8uuu8cMzELWCi7XakJ6Etc4WeRBuNKHa2v28yeBAXjisfAGWBiP23FDU0d5QGRoopM/s1600/IMG_5970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="439" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycFB5pavCJbXSjwS9tC25r3IPzDUDuJuG-D9j8PYW1ITQbsQGGnhPY9OFtEtU5jbydhMiYx16uF8uuu8cMzELWCi7XakJ6Etc4WeRBuNKHa2v28yeBAXjisfAGWBiP23FDU0d5QGRoopM/s320/IMG_5970.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oatmeal with fresh fruit - wonderful!</td></tr>
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There's pancakes and French toast (I love French toast) and there's steak too, like an NY boneless strip steak and two eggs ($19.95). There are breads and pastries, egg white breakfast wraps, variations on an egg sandwich, yoghurts, cereals, tea, coffee, soda, it's all here at the Skylight and it's retro, just like I'd expected it to be and I would have gone back for more, but it all adds up and there's a Pret on 8th Avenue that sells oatmeal, a large cup of English Breakfast tea, and an almond croissant for far less than I paid for breakfast at the Skylight, but that's not what it's about. Yes, you can pay less for your breakfast at a Pret, but the Skylight is the real deal and that's all that matters. </div>
NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-25682754300422523182019-05-24T00:32:00.000-07:002019-05-27T22:28:25.727-07:00The Morning Star Cafe, Second Avenue, New York, USA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mooching around New York on a Friday can get a bit boring as wherever I go, I find throngs of people milling about, not mooching, but milling. I don't know the difference - between mooching and milling - but I think mooching is more meaningful, more inquiring, more subversive, perhaps. Anyway, I'm mooching around, walking along Lexington heading nowhere in particular, although I was heading in the direction of Times Square, but eventually realised that it would be good to stop for lunch. Perhaps the mint tea and a cookie earlier made finding a lunch spot less urgent than it might have been, I'm not sure, and I need to put a stop to cookies, I really do, but lunch is always an absolute necessity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9E-AG6kRXh8zIehXgUGY_Am3tMKYlKWX91d8l5tpGI9QqGdECUDt9cem5fmT7dZLj4x4KKhv0e9jyQ-IMkI5Phfu6ZYTVH_bhKuOhOtWDcVkZhj5ll1s4Z9EyxtBvs_EMLr-ngpKyC-7/s1600/IMG_5514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="782" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9E-AG6kRXh8zIehXgUGY_Am3tMKYlKWX91d8l5tpGI9QqGdECUDt9cem5fmT7dZLj4x4KKhv0e9jyQ-IMkI5Phfu6ZYTVH_bhKuOhOtWDcVkZhj5ll1s4Z9EyxtBvs_EMLr-ngpKyC-7/s400/IMG_5514.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you find yourself on Second Avenue in New York, visit this place!</td></tr>
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There are plenty of restaurants in New York, some pricey, some not, but I didn't want a pretentious establishment, I wanted something that offered a proper lunch. Remember, I gave up alcohol 18 months ago so I don't need the ponce-a-rama of a licensed eaterie, anything (within reason) would do, although a takeaway was out of the question.<br />
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I've passed the Morning Star Cafe once or twice since I've been in the Big Apple and as I pass it again I think that destiny, fate, call it what you will, has decided that I must go in. It looks promising from the outside: a caff that is open 24 hours (that could be good or bad), a place that sells good, wholesome food at reasonable prices and a place that is just what the doctor ordered in terms of being the sort of place you can get comfort food. After hesitating I go in and peruse the extensive menu and eventually I choose a pasta dish: penne with brocolli and sliced chicken, lots of garlic. It was fantastic and I began to wish I'd had dinner here last night instead of the ridiculously expensive Montebelo's, a recommendation of Danny, my hotel's concierge.<br />
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There's diner-style seating and friendly staff and there's even online ordering of food, with 10% off on your first order.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDELyjtBCIY6g0yBg6vGXLAPFV3VgZDOOPf4y_4b22jYBSgBWzs5xAjrM0T8s_f6Ve7g7r1NCpHRVbBnjuw3G-kOw3XepPR63p51tmmWc7tsfr3fHSpwRxTFYMc8CAIaCmmlXV6wjMLU1h/s1600/IMG_5513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="439" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDELyjtBCIY6g0yBg6vGXLAPFV3VgZDOOPf4y_4b22jYBSgBWzs5xAjrM0T8s_f6Ve7g7r1NCpHRVbBnjuw3G-kOw3XepPR63p51tmmWc7tsfr3fHSpwRxTFYMc8CAIaCmmlXV6wjMLU1h/s320/IMG_5513.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penne with brocolli, chicken and garlic</td></tr>
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The Morning Star serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is really a classic American diner. The menu is extensive, too big to cover here, but let's just take a few items: pastries and bread, fresh eggs (any style) - and that includes corned beef hash and eggs for $14.95. Bagels and Lox. Fine, I know what a bagel is, but what does Lox mean? It appears a lot on the menu and I'll have to investigate. There's a few variations on an egg sandwich including the Western Sandwich (with peppers, onion and ham, $8.95). Let's not forget omelettes ranging from $9.95 (plain) to $16.95, the latter being Lox and Onions. What is Lox? But forget Lox for a minute, check out the extensive range of omelettes. There's loads of them! I've never seen such a wide selection.<br />
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There's a 'healthy corner' where you can find all the usual suspects (fruit, porridge and yoghurt) and then there's the less healthy stuff (pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles). I love French toast, by the way. Sandwiches are another 'big' part of the menu and again there's a few of the usual suspects on parade (tuna, cheese and BLT) but what about a veal cutlet parmigiana for $14.95? Sounds good to me. And if that's not right, there's carved sandwiches (beef, ham, turkey, brisket and meatloaf). And then there are triple decker, 'specialty' and hot open sandwiches, plus wraps.<br />
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Home-made soups, side orders, salads, 'diet delights', 'Greek Corner', burgers, sautes, seafood, pasta, entrees, desserts, roasted or broiled chicken dishes, beverages, juices, smoothies and alcoholic drinks too. The Morning Star Cafe is the place to be in my opinion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS5THOKVjLd3_2saFkQVIVJnNnruzdptwb-jZ4698FSJnFTqQ0MdS33Tjigeg_AQ03_STB9fxA6W-Iszga7K-aTliaSl_qR3wHb_9vK1lYdhMtuDc95bflufPh3rmQBbc3zRAwN1LQHsk/s1600/IMG_5515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="438" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS5THOKVjLd3_2saFkQVIVJnNnruzdptwb-jZ4698FSJnFTqQ0MdS33Tjigeg_AQ03_STB9fxA6W-Iszga7K-aTliaSl_qR3wHb_9vK1lYdhMtuDc95bflufPh3rmQBbc3zRAwN1LQHsk/s320/IMG_5515.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New York subway we know and love...</td></tr>
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I chose penne with chicken, brocolli and garlic olive oil. It was amazing. Perfectly cooked, although the brocolli could have been tenderer. I added a couple of mint teas and the bill came to something around $28.00. Perfect. Better than the $70 I spent in Montebelo's the previous night.<br />
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They've got wifi here too and I wish I hadn't visited that coffee shop for the tea and cookie earlier as I could have come straight here and chilled out for longer. Unfortunately, the trip to the airport and a flight home was playing on my mind.<br />
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The Morning Star Cafe can be found on 2nd Avenue. The web address, where you'll find out more about the extensive menu, is <a href="http://www.morningstaronsecond.com/">www.morningstaronsecond.com</a><br />
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NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-52784199846240990362019-04-14T12:42:00.001-07:002019-08-20T10:07:06.129-07:00Poppins Restaurants, Redhill - at last it's open and it looks very promising!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The big dilemma in my life at present is hardly a matter of life or death. In truth, it's pretty unimportant in the general scheme of things, but I'll admit that it's bugging me slightly, hence my desire to get something down on paper, as I'm doing now. The dilemma in question is this: is the Pop Inn cafe in Redhill better than Poppins? The latter has recently opened. And let's face it, it's been a long time coming. For months, possibly years, Poppins has covered its windows with newspaper and I was beginning to think it would never open in Redhill. I started to wonder if the potential operators, the franchisees no less, had had second thoughts, leaving the franchisor (Poppins Restaurants) to find somebody else, but no, it's now open and I've been there twice. The first time was for a cup of tea and a toasted teacake, allowing me to make my first comparison between the two restaurants: a cup of tea in the Pop Inn (which on the A23 on the outskirts of town heading south) is £1, but it's £1.60 in Poppins (although it's a larger cup). I'm not sure if they sell toasted tea cakes in the Pop Inn. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Friday (12 April) it was time to visit Poppins for a full-blown meal, although, in the end, I settled for baked beans on toast, a cup of tea and apple pie with custard. Unfortunately, I opted for cold custard, which was a mistake on my part. Next time it'll be warm apple pie and ice cream.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nr2gR36po5hplZr427aUo5eaJmlJHclQNJuabXuyzJsmHmrdoCB4KCIVaodmaibI48-V0GMQMZQw_f2VpTlcozfmxESzK4zs_W-hrmRR0doj9nVQBqBqWKhioyMBw89k6m81L7AoGEZ-/s1600/IMG_5326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nr2gR36po5hplZr427aUo5eaJmlJHclQNJuabXuyzJsmHmrdoCB4KCIVaodmaibI48-V0GMQMZQw_f2VpTlcozfmxESzK4zs_W-hrmRR0doj9nVQBqBqWKhioyMBw89k6m81L7AoGEZ-/s320/IMG_5326.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mug of tea, £1.60, but a big mug!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And let me add now that beans on toast doesn't really count as a proper meal, which means I'll be back for something more substantial.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poppins, it has to be said, is much more comfortable than the Pop Inn, not as basic. There's padded banquette seating, American diner style, and the decor is slightly better, although that might be because it's new and the Pop Inn has been around for a few years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both establishments offer good service. Faultless service, in fact. It might have something to do with the familial connection between the two restaurants. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but there definitely is a familial link between the operators of both restaurants.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I guess it would be fair to say that Poppins is a tad more upmarket than the Pop Inn, and that might be the reason behind the slightly higher prices. Perhaps the rents are higher in the centre of town. In terms of menu variety, they are about the same. I've already reviewed the Pop Inn restaurant on these pages, so here's a little bit of information about the Poppins menu. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breakfasts range in price from £5.50 for a Late Breakfast Special consisting of griddled bacon, fried egg, sausage, fried bread, tomatoes and mushroom; and for £7.80 there's the Inclusive Breakfast (two bacon, sausage, tomatoes, beans and hash browns, two slices of toast, butter and preserves, tea and coffee).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are jacket potatoes (ranging from £4.80 to £5.80); burgers (from £3.60 to £6.70); omelettes (£5.20 to £7.20); salads (£3.50 to £6.40); main meals (everything from chicken nuggets to pies and, at the top of the pile, a sirloin steak); fish dishes, 'world favourites' – like curry and chips – and a wide range of 'sweet treats' and pancakes, including apple pie and ice cream or custard. There's also a children's menu and a takeaway menu.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And if you think that's more than enough, there's a wide range of snacks – and they look pretty substantial too – plus a range of hot and cold drinks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are Poppins outlets all over the UK (including one in my home town of Sutton, Surrey) and I'm sure they're all on a par with the Redhill outlet, which will provide healthy competition for other operators in town, including the M&S cafe and others, although the Piazza in the Belfry has gone, sadly.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like the Poppins Restaurant in Redhill – I'm back in on Wednesday 17th April. The staff are very good, the portions ample and the general decor is good. It's a cosy place AND there's free WiFi. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And guess what? It's open from 0800hrs to 1700hrs six days a week and from 0900hrs to 1600hrs on Sunday. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Postscript, 20 August 2019:</i></b> I went to Poppins for lunch today and I must put it on record that the Pop Inn café on the A23 offers far better value. The Pop Inn offers the most amazing chicken fillet baguette for just £3.30 whereas Poppins offers a chicken baguette with mayonnaise for £4.00 – they're chalk and cheese. My advice? Go to the Pop Inn on the A23, it's simply better.</span></span></div>
NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-5695542817745897762018-09-26T05:01:00.002-07:002018-09-26T05:02:50.883-07:00Majorca Café, Fenwick's, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdkAs3QG9U-ZPsjs4HV3rgBmxix8kzAVFFssmlv7Ou2QPcBLtpTw4KMC-VSVgJUZ8liuEWS6I2H8IcFJeZftTh7BBggG7P6Tkp7AL-3b4q0dhP05orhBLphj-1mdHKh-tjOv9KLEawzP/s1600/IMG_4683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdkAs3QG9U-ZPsjs4HV3rgBmxix8kzAVFFssmlv7Ou2QPcBLtpTw4KMC-VSVgJUZ8liuEWS6I2H8IcFJeZftTh7BBggG7P6Tkp7AL-3b4q0dhP05orhBLphj-1mdHKh-tjOv9KLEawzP/s400/IMG_4683.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Majorca restaurant in Fenwick's Newcastle</td></tr>
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Newcastle-upon-Tyne is an interesting place and I've always loved it. When it comes to caffs and teashops, there's plenty to choose from, but one of the best places I've experienced is the in-store caff at Fenwick's. You can't beat a decent in-store caff and the one in Fenwick's, Newcastle, is fantastic. And there's plenty of choice as there are effectively three restaurants next door to one another, the first a kind of coffee shop, then the Majorca café and then Tivoli – they go up in quality from the coffee shop to the cafe to the restaurant and I'm guessing they're all good.<br />
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I visited the Majorca café with two companions. There's a servery, cafeteria style, so you'll need to remember your tray. My dad once told me a good joke about cafeterias and it went something like this: "I took my mother-in-law to a really posh restaurant and she let me down – she dropped her tray." I know.<br />
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Anyway, back to the Majorca café. It might have been spelt 'Mallorca', can't remember, but either way it was top dollar. The servery starts off with cakes and then there's a hot servery selling excellent meals, like mince with dumplings or a gammon joint and an array of vegetables, such as carrots, green beans and cabbage. Seriously, this is what a caff is all about and I found myself at the Majorca on two occasions: day one I had the mince with dumplings and day two the gammon. This is what you might call 'wholesome food', comfort food, all that was missing was a decent apple pie and custard. There was another occasion when I went back for a scone and tea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mince, dumplings and vegetables – amazing food!</td></tr>
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Question: why can't all restaurants be like this? A day or two earlier I went to Jamie's Italian (yes, there's one in Newcastle). Well, first, he's not Italian and my advice to anybody considering an Italian meal is simple: go to an Italian restaurant, they're miles better, believe me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gammon and vegetables – also amazing!!!</td></tr>
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What the UK needs is less of the Jamie's Italians – as I said, he's not Italian and nor is the food, go to an Italian trattoria instead – and more of the Majorca restaurant in Fenwick's, which offers good, solid, enjoyable, tasty, filling food that is unmistakably British. I loved this place so much and if ever I find myself in Newcastle again, I'll be going there for sure.<br />
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The bill for three on both occasions was something like £28, so under £30 for a decent, wholesome meal. My companions ordered broccoli soup with bread. All amazing!!!<br />
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<br />NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-56979087570343522472018-03-25T00:46:00.002-07:002019-11-22T02:13:32.002-08:00Pop Inn Café, Redhill, Surrey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pop Inn Café – perfect in every way!</td></tr>
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I won't beat around the bush: I've passed this café on many occasions, but I haven't crossed the threshold for two reasons. First, it's always packed, and second there's a 'fast food' air about the place. The tables and chairs, for example, are secured to the floor, which, in my book, means that the clientele are inclined towards stealing the furniture – or the restaurant simply doesn't trust its customers. Who knows and who cares?<br />
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Last week, on a short walk – known by myself and the international man of mystery as the 'caff combo' – I passed the Pop Inn Café, noticed it was empty, which might have been because it was market day, and decided to give it try. Inside I found that I was one of eight customers.<br />
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I thought the format was the usual 'caff affair': you order your food at the counter and pay up front and then take a seat and wait to be served. It's the same deal in the M&S café, Café Piazza and the recently opened Sainsbury's Café. But I was mistaken. While you can simply walk to the counter and order your food, the Pop Inn offers table service, giving the place an out-of-character air of superiority as customers can peruse the extensive menu and then exclaim, "Garcon!" and await the scuttling waiter or waitress who will then take their order. While the menu is displayed over the counter in true fast food restaurant style, it's even possible to choose your food without picking up the menu.<br />
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I perused the extensive menu and opted for home-made chicken curry and a mug of tea – the whole lot set me back just £6.50. The mug of tea was £1, arguably the cheapest in Redhill (unless anybody knows better). Sainsbury's charges £1.20 (the mug is much larger) if my memory serves me right.<br />
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Anyway, I took a seat and awaited the meal. I must say that I was impressed with the menu selection; there was everything under the sun: breakfasts, set breakfasts, sandwiches, roast meals, paninis, jacket potatoes, burgers, grills and lunches, omelettes, pies, kids' meals, salads and rice dishes. My chicken curry was categorised as a rice dish – understandably so as it was served with rice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple pie and custard and a mug of tea!</td></tr>
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There was also some notable dishes, like the Belly Buster Special Breakfast (basically a lot of food) for £9.90. A sirloin steak costs the same. And let's not forget shepherd's pie, chips and peas (£6.50). I must also point out the selection of 'sides' – meaning I could have ordered a shepherd's pie with a side of mashed potato, which would be akin to simply ordering two shepherd's pies, or it might be if there was also a side order of minced lamb. But enough of the jokes.<br />
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While the tables and chairs were screwed to the floor, the chair was comfortable and padded (not the usual hard, loudly coloured plastic shell seat (like the ones in nearby Merstham's Quality Café).<br />
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When my food arrived I was over the moon. The quality (and quantity) were well beyond my expectations. First, the portion size (I got as much curry as rice) but then the quality was good too – it was all perfect! And let's not forget the word 'home-made'. In a nutshell, it was a great curry, so great that I got carried away and, after finishing every last bit I perused the menu and found desserts. For me, the mark of a good caff is the dessert menu and the Pop Inn Café didn't disappoint. It offered what should be a caff staple: apple pie with custard (£2.80); so I ordered it and another mug of tea and enjoyed the experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those chairs are padded and comfortable.</td></tr>
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Overall, I'd say this: never judge a book by it's cover. While the Pop Inn Café does have that 'fast food' air about it and the furniture is screwed to the floor, the reality is an amazing restaurant offering decent food at very reasonable prices. You can bet one thing: I'll be back, along with the international man of mystery. This place is a serious rival to other Redhill establishments. It's only drawback is its location: outside of town on the A23, so it takes around 10 minutes on foot from the centre of the town, but don't let that bother you and make sure you're not tempted to visit The Garland (a Harveys of Lewes pub) as you'll get better value in the caff and you won't have to worry about drink-driving (the caff ain't licenced).<br />
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Lastly, the Pop Inn Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a takeaway service.<br />
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<b>Top tips for what to choose: </b>outside of the above-mentioned chicken curry, I've been bowled over by other dishes, notably the jacket potato and chilli and, most recently (and arguably the best value for money) the chicken fillet sandwich, which, at just £3.30 is truly amazing. Have it with nothing added (no salad, no sauce) and go for the baguette (not the roll or bread options) and you will be in seventh heaven, literally. It's so tasty.<br />
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<b>It's worth pointing out that:</b> the chilli is also home-made and is seriously tasty.<br />
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Also good is the Spanish omelette and, if you're in the mood, the shepherds pie with chips and gravy.<br />
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<b>Steer clear of: </b>the pies, they're not that good.<br />
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NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-54068165100867307312017-12-13T09:14:00.001-08:002017-12-15T01:22:09.622-08:00Das Bruckner Kaffeehaus, Linz, Austria<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Das Bruckner Kaffehaus, Linz, Austria...</td></tr>
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I was sitting in Riva, a 'swanky' Italian restaurant, when I suddenly realised that this arrogant establishment wasn't going to bust a gut and fetch me a menu. I decided, therefore, to simply get up, put my coat back on, don the bobble hat (without a bobble) and deprive them of my hard-earned money. I would probably be sitting there now, waiting for a menu, if the truth be known. I walked out of the front door with not a word to the silly-looking waiter and searched around for somewhere else to enjoy lunch. And how glad I am that I made that decision because I soon found Das Bruckner Kaffeehaus, an excellent café with a pleasant vibe.<br />
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The waitress service was second to none – friendly, attentive and nice – and the food offering was perfect beyond belief. The menu was fairly extensive, offering everything from daily hot specials, soups, snacks, breakfasts, hot dishes (of which more later) beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, not forgetting a fruit tea (Julius Mienl's Organic Fruit Symphony). And yes, that's the only fruit tea they have, I was informed. Whether it's the only fruit tea they have, full stop, or whether they have temporarily run out of other brands, I'll never know, although I might try to make a return visit before heading for Vienna.<br />
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Calming classical music was doing its job of keeping customers happy when I arrived at around 1316hrs ready for something decent to eat. The place was virtually empty, but as the day wore in it got increasingly busy. By 1430hrs it was jam-packed<br />
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Das Bruckner Kaffeehaus certainly lived up to its name – it was more of a coffee shop than a restaurant, but it was licensed too and the hot food was extremely good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home-made apple strudel – seriously, it's really, really good</td></tr>
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I ordered beef goulash, which came with a hot bread roll. The meat was very tender and the sauce was thick and warming and tasty and with the assistance of a fruit tea – Julius Meinl's Organic Fruit Symphony – and a Fever Tree Sicilian lemon tonic (both nicely presented) I was made up, so much so that I decided to push the boat out and order a home-made apple strudel, which was equally fantastic.<br />
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This was a bright and airy establishment with friendly and efficient staff and I loved it, so much so that I paid cash and tipped the waitress with a well-earned five Euros (well deserved in my opinion).<br />
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Lastly, this is not a small place either. It's not huge, but as I got up to leave I noticed there were tables at the far end of the establishment too, so there's plenty of room!<br />
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<br />NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-12815087823084034162017-12-01T02:55:00.000-08:002017-12-05T08:44:58.434-08:00Chartwell House, Westerham, Kent.Nothing better than a National Trust property if you like a bit of cake and pot of tea or if you want something a little more substantial, like a hot meal. Once you've finished stuffing your face you've always got plenty of grounds surrounding whatever property you're visiting; so there's ample opportunity to stretch your legs and burn off all those calories.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuscan bean soup, a roll and a mince pie!</td></tr>
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I've been to many a National Trust property and often return to my favourites, like Sheffield Park and Wakefield Place and, if I'm really honest, I don't visit these places to admire the house and its history, I'm only there for the cake or a hot meal, accompanied, as always, by tea. Wonderful! I'm also keen on the National Trust shops because they sell relaxation and comfort, from paperweights to weighty tomes on something connected to the place I'm visiting, or picnic blankets and scented candles, it's all good comforting stuff, even if there's an element of 'old fogey' about it.<br />
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Last weekend (the weekend before the beginning of December) I headed to Chartwell in Westerham, Kent. Why? Well, because it's nearby (only 11 miles) and the plan, as always, is to indulge in some cake or a savoury snack and then walk it off around the grounds. It was lunch time when we arrived and there was a Christmas market in full swing – National Trust properties are always very festive – so after a brief look at the stalls we headed for the café where I chose a warming Tuscan bean soup with bread and a mince pie thrown in for good measure (I never used to like mince pies or Christmas pudding for that matter, but now I love them). And before you ask, yes, I like sprouts too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The busy servery counter at Chartwell House</td></tr>
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The café here is cafeteria style and on our visit, because of the Christmas market, it was very busy. So busy I almost couldn't find a table. But eventually I found somewhere, opposite a large and well-decorated Christmas tree, and settled down to eat my soup, which really did the job. Perfect. I followed up with the mince pie and then took a stroll around the grounds. Excellent. It's so good that I'll be back again this coming weekend as they have something festive going on, which means more food!<br />
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December is a good time to check out National Trust properties (those that are open beyond October) as they offer a lot of festive activity which can be combined with some hearty food and a decent walk – not to forget some decent cakes and pastries.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-89090761638188163692017-10-31T11:10:00.000-07:002017-10-31T11:30:23.504-07:00A. Schwab, Beale Street, Memphis, USAI decided to take a stroll from my hotel, the Sheraton Memphis Downtown, to the famous Beale Street, Memphis' answer to London's Carnaby Street or the King's Road, I suppose. It's where you can buy tee shirts with 'Memphis' written on them and other 'knick knacks' that scream 'Memphis'. I did buy two tee shirts and a base ball cup and yes, they did have the word 'Memphis' on them. But where to eat?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut butter and banana sandwich, Elvis Presley's favourite snack</td></tr>
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I wanted a 'caff' but couldn't really find one and then I stumbled upon A Schwab a kind of shop and caff blended into one where, among a small selection of snacks, they serve Elvis Presley's favourite food item, the peanut butter and banana sandwich. While I'd enjoyed a fairly large and healthy breakfast, I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to try the Elvis snack being as I was in his hometown, so I ordered it and a coffee and took a seat at the long bar, which was very 1950s/1960s America.<br />
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The sandwich was pretty damn tasty and toasted, although the manager of A. Schwab told me she didn't know whether or not Elvis had his sandwich toasted. I watched as she prepared it and she did so very carefully, cutting the banana in half prior to peeling it and then only peeling the half that was going to be used for my sandwich. To do all this she'd donned a pair of surgical gloves, for hygiene purposes, and then first spread peanut butter on the white bread and then adding the sliced banana. She put the lot in a toaster for a few minutes and then served it on a plate with a chequered black and white napkin. I ordered a coffee too and the bill was a little over $7.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A. Schwab on Beale Street, Memphis, sells Elvis Presley's favourite snack</td></tr>
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The manager told me she preferred it toasted and I think I agree with her and then we, that is me, the manager and her assistant, started talking about time zones and how, in the USA, there was Eastern, Central, Pacific and Mountain time zones. Nobody was really sure about the latter, I certainly wasn't, not hailing from these parts, but they eventually decided that mountain time was in places like Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. It also covers parts of Canada and Mexico, I discovered by checking out Wikipedia.<br />
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A. Schwab was a great place, it sold wooden catapults for kids as well as teeshirts and other 'stuff' too numerous to mention. In fact, there's a lot of history behind A. Schwab. It is classed as a dry goods store and is the only remaining original business on Beale Street. It is a family-owned store with the following motto:<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">"If you can't find it at A. Schwab, you're probably better off without it!" </i><br />
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The Schwab family sold the business towards the end of 2011.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-58232212829919622032017-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:002018-10-11T23:58:09.118-07:00Sainsbury's café, Redhill, Surrey, UK<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The newly expanded – and vastly improved – Sainsbury's in Redhill has opened and with it comes a strong competitor for other foodservice brands in town, although I'd imagine that the M&S cafe and Cafe Piazza will probably survive because I wonder how many people already in the Belfry Centre, shopping at lunch time, will want to haul their sorry arses over to Sainsbury's unless, of course, they've got to pick up the weekly shop and don't want to pay M&S prices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The new Sainsbury's cafe is an impressive establishment. For a start, it's big. There's a variety of seating (round tables, square tables and four booths with padded seating. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large mug of tea for just £1.20 and a ham and cheese panini</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm not sure if the Sainsbury's café has a name, other than 'the Sainsbury's café, but it occupies a large space and boasts a long servery counter offering cakes and pastries and paninis plus a range of main meals (fresh salmon fillet, £6.00; hand-battered cod & chips, £5.50; Yorkshire ham, egg & chips, £5.00; cottage pie, £4.50, Mac & Cheese, £4.00; beef lasagne, £4.50; and a range of jacket potatoes starting at £2.75 (with butter) and ranging up to £4.50 for prawn with mayo). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm intrigued by that 'Mac & Cheese', presumably they mean macaroni cheese, unless they are borrowing from McDonald's, but this, of course, is something I need to investigate on future visits. What is a 'Mac' other than a computer or a fast food burger sold by McDonald's?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hot snacks include a range of baguettes (bacon, sausage and meat-free sausage) all for £3.00 or £3.50 for hot beef. Omelettes are £3.75 and soup of the day with a roll is just £2.75. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Specials exploit the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference brand, offering smoked haddock fish cake with peas and mash, £5.50, or sausage mashed potato, peas and gravy, £6.00. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The usual hot drinks are on offer and a large mug of tea is a respectable £1.20. The cup is huge. So for £3.95 you can have a large mug of tea plus soup and a roll. Brilliant!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">When I arrived there was an unacceptable 40-minute wait for food – probably because the place has just opened and people are sussing it out for themselves – so I ordered a cheese and ham panini (£3.85) and a tea (£1.20) which set me back £5.05. Not bad.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The servery counter at the new Sainsbury's café</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was given one of those vibrating pieces of plastic that shake and flash when the food is ready to collect. When it went off I stood up and walked over to the counter to grab my panini. It was good but unlike in Café Piazza, where crisps are offered as an accompaniment, free of charge, at Sainsbury's you simply get the plain panini, all alone on a large white plate. I'm being unnecessarily picky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It goes without saying that I'll be returning to this excellent foodservice operation – it might prove to be the best in Redhill (if you're talking pure 'caffs'). There are plenty of other dishes to sample. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What I also like about the new Sainsbury's caff is its huge windows, which let in a lot of light and the fact that, apart from Sunday, it's open until 7pm six days a week.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">Postscript: </span></b><span style="color: #222222;">I've been taking maximum advantage of the Sainsbury's caff all week (week commencing 6 November 2017). Foodwise, I've had jacket potato with tuna and sweetcorn, jacket with baked beans twice and today, 10 November, just like on 6 November (Monday) fishcake, mashed potato and peas washed down with a peppermint tea. It's all good, I can tell you, and far better value than the M&S café in the Belfry Centre. The food is fairly well presented too, especially the jackets, which are served in a square, white, deep plate (alright, a bowl) along with a crisp salad. There are sachets, portion packs, of sauces and dressings and yes, they have Heinz Salad Cream – what could be better?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Problems: </b></span><span style="color: #222222;">Not many, to be honest. In fact there's only one problem and this is the occasional time when there's a long wait for the food. Lunchtime, 17 November 2017, I was told there would be a half hour wait so I settled for a cheese salad baguette. On Wednesday 11th October 2018 I gave up waiting and enjoyed liver and bacon at the Pop Inn (this text added 12th October 2018).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Other problems:</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> Sometimes the cutlery is a little dirty.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Plus points: </b></span><span style="color: #222222;">Read the review, but for me it's food quality, the peppermint tea (which is Sainsbury's own brand) and the size of the place, not forgetting that there are 'normal' tables as well as booths and sofas. Also, it's open weekdays (all days except Sunday) until 7pm. I'm planning on leaving work early one of these days and chilling with a book and a cup of tea – perfect!</span></span></div>
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NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-35501678898038228432017-10-19T00:18:00.001-07:002017-10-19T03:16:48.424-07:00Hinterland Urban Refuge, Brussels...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQl_ssxDBzcZgRz_A13SCaT6-tMTi9VQWMkutX_f6Aa9Y4R4PBEdy3WURTAE3vYfXcQVVttS4mlVzkJU_oHVHwyvr-ug8rx59neMp_kLGY7wqQhDaK4USx2ubnvCE4EwqZwEfua_rSp-u1/s1600/IMG_3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQl_ssxDBzcZgRz_A13SCaT6-tMTi9VQWMkutX_f6Aa9Y4R4PBEdy3WURTAE3vYfXcQVVttS4mlVzkJU_oHVHwyvr-ug8rx59neMp_kLGY7wqQhDaK4USx2ubnvCE4EwqZwEfua_rSp-u1/s320/IMG_3716.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hinterland Urban Refuge, Brussels</td></tr>
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I'm constantly on the search for peace and relaxation and I'm always convinced that I'll find both in a coffee shop. I'm looking for somewhere I can chill out with a decent book – I'm currently re-reading <i>1984</i> by George Orwell – but in all honesty, I think if you look too hard for anything, you'll never find it. Or rather you will never find exactly what you want, there will be something awry, something missing.<br />
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Well, Hinterland Urban Refuge in Brussels looked like being the perfect place. It was mid-afternoon, the weather was perfect and I found myself mooching, as I'm prone to do. I stumbled across what looked like (and to be fair was) a decent little coffee shop: slightly trendy, actually very trendy, mildly pretentious (well, alright, very pretentious) and deliberately a bit 'down at heel' (by that I mean the decor was deliberately a bit 'distressed' (bare brick walls and a mix of wooden and tiled floors as if the place was in the middle of being decorated).<br />
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Queen was playing on the sound system (not ideal if you wish to read quietly while enjoying a coffee and a cookie); there were 'trendy' magazines hanging on the wall, such as <i>hole&corner</i>, <i>Drift</i> and <i>Conde Nast Traveller</i>, not forgetting a magazine with Zayn Malik of One Direction fame on the front cover (immediately any 'trendiness' goes out the window if there's an image of Zayn Malik in view).<br />
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So, exposed brickwork, wooden-topped tables with black metal pedestals, Queen on the sound system, spot lights on the ceiling, all the makings of a place of relaxation were there and to be fair, I enjoyed my brief stay. I ordered cappuccino and a dark chocolate cookie (both excellent) and I did try to read my book, but the general hubbub, the Queen soundtrack, and what have you made me give up and thumb instead through the aforementioned trendy magazines. <i>Drift</i> had a small article on the names of coffee-based drinks.<br />
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<i>What's the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino, or a long black and an Americano? Most baristas will tell you they're practically the same. In each pair, the former is the Australian name of the traditional, Italian name for the drink. But the name isn't the only thing about these drinks that has changed in Australia. Few baristas use the traditional foam once spooned over cappuccinos, dismissing this stiffer, drier fluff as a product of improper technique. Now, most baristas finish all milk-based espresso drinks with microfoam. It's finer, more tightly knit bubbles not only create a silkier texture, but can be poured to create designs on top of drinks, better known as 'latte art'. </i><br />
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And there was an image of a cappuccino that was the exact replica of that on my coffee (see image below).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv4miISj4ca4QWUT1uHINrneY5GbNTNih3kLr8V4uYjn94ASPbwszjwHV-nZ0GJIYIFtITd7y6ogYVsm_VIJkz1i9uL7YrAht6qERLkEKlAndpnKd8lzYTlQtb_sNuBw5Xd5EXlNCwaKB/s1600/IMG_3714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv4miISj4ca4QWUT1uHINrneY5GbNTNih3kLr8V4uYjn94ASPbwszjwHV-nZ0GJIYIFtITd7y6ogYVsm_VIJkz1i9uL7YrAht6qERLkEKlAndpnKd8lzYTlQtb_sNuBw5Xd5EXlNCwaKB/s200/IMG_3714.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee and cookie!</td></tr>
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It was around 4pm, probably a little before the hour, when I arrived and the place was full of women, there were a few kids and a 'trendy dad' with long hair and jeans.<br />
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This was a good place, it had a trendy name, the coffee tasted good, the cookie even better and even I don't mind a bit of Queen now and then. The chairs, however, were a little on the hard side, not ideal in terms of chilling with a book, but I'll let them off. Would I return, yes I would.<br />
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Hinterland Urban Refuge can be found on the Chaussee de Charlerol 179, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Brussels.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-76452752129689561082017-10-14T02:29:00.002-07:002017-10-20T06:22:07.514-07:00West Country Food Company, Winchester, UK<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqDG-mozMI9t5feXRD-foj1O9xAd9tzpB4Aymf75_dioB5U-1K4sSpSQJemggNtrjubPVQoxZjL1fRfAV_v_NvJMyDHob7cXOX6zJBYvhBvakrji_Jza3SgM0TEuZNK_FXxpV5ZTOKc5n/s1600/IMG_3689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1262" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqDG-mozMI9t5feXRD-foj1O9xAd9tzpB4Aymf75_dioB5U-1K4sSpSQJemggNtrjubPVQoxZjL1fRfAV_v_NvJMyDHob7cXOX6zJBYvhBvakrji_Jza3SgM0TEuZNK_FXxpV5ZTOKc5n/s320/IMG_3689.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Cornwall Food Co, Winchester</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love Cornish pasties and I'm</span> so glad that somebody had the good sense to develop a foodservice brand around them. Today there's a handful of operators and most of the time they're kiosks on railway station concourses or part of a shopping mall food court. Fine, but make no mistake, the pasty is one of those difficult-to-eat products, especially on the move. Countless times I've dropped chunks of meat on myself while trying to take a bite out of something that really needs a knife, fork and, of course, a plate and a table.<br />
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Imagine, then, my delight when I found myself in Winchester looking for something to eat for lunch and spying a West Cornwall Food Company outlet bang in the middle of town – and what's more there was an upstairs seating area! Coffee and a pasty! What could be better? Well, a table and some knives and forks made the whole experience that little bit better as I left the place without gravy stains on my trousers.<br />
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If you're hungry, you can't beat a pasty; they're very filling and will keep you going until dinner time, which is all I really want. So, hats off to West Cornwall Food Company for a great traditional pasty and a decent cup of coffee.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAkOTa49j-4Xqy-w_-EMKLvtSf4At3XVwVsYK6_22k3lO2yLfidU35I9sz2vUscjtPRbNvY85Wg13MBgfHQksVuT1qwrUZxQwPTIwf3EUWHIPsshmVzvY2aATsDL5Pj-LPi7BMjPbZSY-/s1600/IMG_3688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1505" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAkOTa49j-4Xqy-w_-EMKLvtSf4At3XVwVsYK6_22k3lO2yLfidU35I9sz2vUscjtPRbNvY85Wg13MBgfHQksVuT1qwrUZxQwPTIwf3EUWHIPsshmVzvY2aATsDL5Pj-LPi7BMjPbZSY-/s200/IMG_3688.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
The only negative point about the Winchester West Country Food Co. outlet was that they were slow clearing the tables. I had to move somebody else's debris to another table and I noticed that other tables needed clearing too. This, of course, is basics, and needs to be addressed, but other than that, there's not much to say about a pasty and a cup of coffee, they're not exactly the height of culinary excellence by any stretch of the imagination, but they fill a hole and they're fantastic.<br />
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As for Winchester, in all honesty I found it a bit boring. Alright, there's the cathedral (yawn!) and a Turner exhibition (yawn!) but outside of that, for me at any rate, the pasty was the highlight of my day.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-45486371453660718772017-08-01T23:08:00.000-07:002017-10-20T06:22:31.294-07:00Muffin Break, Belfry Centre, Redhill, Surrey, UKI've paid about four visits to Muffin Break in Redhill since it arrived a year or so ago, probably longer, not exactly sure. Four visits. It's not a regular haunt, put it that way, as there are plenty of other offerings in Redhill, such as the M&S Café, which is always a safe bet, or Café Piazza at the opposite end of the centre on the first floor level. There's also a coffee shop on ground floor level opposite Waterstone's, Ho Sete, which is fine if you don't mind being 'exposed' to passing shoppers.<br />
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But let's get back to Muffin Break, so-called because it sells, among other things, muffins. You could say that muffins are the 'signature dish' of the place. Which is fine if you like muffins, but I don't. I hate them with a vengeance. They're too doughy for my liking and no amount of convincing me otherwise will change my mind. I have a similar aversion to scones, but I'd eat one if the only other choice was a muffin. If muffins were the only choice, I'd starve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muffin Break, Belfry Centre, Redhill, Surrey</td></tr>
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I was in Muffin Break this week. It's a bright place with a fast foody air to it; there's a counter with a menu on the wall behind it and, in essence, the range of food on offer includes various filled ciabatta breads, toasted sandwiches, and a few other hot snacks plus the aforementioned muffins and a few cakes. There's the usual array of hot and cold drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc) and that's about it.<br />
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My companions chose a cheese and pickle sandwich each plus hot chocolate and a mug of tea and I chose a cheese and jalapeno ciabatta sandwich with a medium-sized black coffee (that's an Americano in pretentious speak).<br />
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The cheese sandwiches were fine, the tea was good, the hot chocolate fine and the Americano was good too, and so was the jalapeno and cheese ciabatta There's nothing wrong with the cuisine, the service is pretty good (although the man forgot my ciabatta and I had to get up and ask for it again) but other than that it was fine. But it's a little pricey for what it is, I find. Some might beg to differ, but my bill hovered around the £20 mark and while that's probably the norm these days, there's something lacking for me that means I'm not a regular customer at Muffin Break. Perhaps the reason I think it's not good value for money is simply that I can't seem to relax there, it's not cosy, and while one could argue that the M&S café isn't cosy either (it's also a brightly lit cafeteria style operation with the menu displayed behind the counter like a fast food outlet) it has something, possibly the banter with the 'dinner ladies' who run the place. Similarly Café Piazza, although I would argue that the Piazza is cosy because it's darker and the food is more hearty, even the 'meal deals' which include a drink.<br />
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Out of 10 I'd give Muffin Break a five and I would rate the M&S café and Café Piazza both around seven.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-81399304901407234882017-05-07T22:46:00.000-07:002018-05-26T22:54:34.559-07:00Barista Parlour, Nashville, USA<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "bitstream vera sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">With a cab virtually waiting downstairs to take me to Nashville airport, I've just got time to say a few rushed words about an amazing coffee shop in The Gulch region of Nashville, TN. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "bitstream vera sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Established in 2011, there are three Barista Parlor outlets in Nashville offering artisanal coffees in a hip environment. The one I visited was located just off of Division Street at 610 Magazine Street in an area known as The Gulch.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One word descirbes Barista Parlour – 'cool'</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial, tahoma, 'bitstream vera sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The Gulch is about 20 minutes on foot from Nashville’s downtown and it’s full of decent restaurants and bars as well as a rather hip hotel called the Thompson. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "bitstream vera sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Barista Parlor came highly recommended by somebody I met in the equally cool Tailgate Brewery on Demonbreun Street (another fine establishment in this great city). I memorised the directions from my hotel and decided to hot foot it down there to have breakfast before flying to Dallas and then back to London.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "bitstream vera sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Barista Parlor is cool. There is no other word to describe it. First it has a record player and on the turntable is Beck. Brilliant. Second it has two Royal Enfield motorcycles on display and third there’s some high quality chocolate, some excellent-looking pastries, some really decent coffees and some merchandise, although the teeshirts were a little pricey at $30, which is a shame because I wanted one.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "bitstream vera sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">There are two espresso machines located centrally and once you order your coffee you’re given a number and your order is brought to you. All you have to do is chill and listen to the music.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Barista Parlour – fantastic, especially with Beck on the sound system</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial, tahoma, 'bitstream vera sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I ordered breakfast of scrambled egg, sausage, black coffee, a scone with jam) and it cost me $14. It arrived well presented on a rectangular white plate and I enjoyed every bit of it, and likewise the coffee, which arrived on its own small trade, just a mug and a jug.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "bitstream vera sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">For me Barista Parlor represents the kind of America I like; it's akin to the vibe that emanates from places like the Ace Hotel in Portland, Oregon, and why oh why did I think that sitting in the Starbucks reading my book, Hotels of North America by Rick Moody, with an English breakfast tea and an almond croissant, was in any way a good thing when no more than 50 yards away was Barista Parlor. All week I had been unaware of its existence.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "bitstream vera sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Sadly, I committed a cardinal sin: so carried away was I with the greatness of this excellent place I clear forgot to tip the guy behind the counter, but hopefully there will be another occasion in the not too distant future.</span><br />
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NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-29142820338751078232016-09-22T01:48:00.000-07:002016-09-29T13:13:43.801-07:00EAT, Finsbury Pavement, London, UKSometimes, very rarely, good things happen. In amongst all the rubbish and attitude you get on the streets and anywhere, there's something decent. For me it just happened. That's often the way in life. Things happen. Good things happen when you least expect it and for me it was because I found myself with a choice.<br />
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I could have gone into the Starbucks and had the usual huge cup of tea and an almond croissant, but no, I'd already been to this particular outlet so I opted instead for the EAT outlet next door. It was easily the best decision I'd made in a long time. Alright, I still opted for the large tea and an almond croissant, but this place had something that the Starbucks was clearly lacking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat on Finsbury Pavement, London, near Moorgate</td></tr>
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First the service was top notch, there wasn't a big queue, but there was a sense of efficiency, which I like; I knew I was going to get served and quick and that the end result would be good, and it was.<br />
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Card in machine, 'remove card', take large tea and almond croissant to a table. And guess what? Decent power points meant I could charge my phone and free WiFi meant I could write this. Yes, I'm writing a review on EAT while in the establishment and I'm well-positioned to give you a good run down on what's on offer.<br />
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But let's first look around. There's a mix of wooden floors (it might be laminate, it might be linoleum, it might be real wood, but I'm not going to ask as I reckon they wouldn't know). There are round tables, square tables, high tables by the wall, a large table near the front, on which I can be found typing this review while sipping my large tea. There are angle poise lamps, bright yellow, meaning that this place is all set up for people to just come in, grab a tea or a coffee and a snack and do a bit of work if the fancy takes them. After my meeting I might come back here and write some more.<br />
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There's music playing and I'm so glad I found this place, peppered as it is with power points. I'm even charging my phone as I pen this review. There's a man opposite me with a Samsung lap top and a sweat shirt with the word 'animal' printed on the front.<br />
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Behind the counter there's a couple of people, busy serving people. Over their heads is a light box display, like you get in fast food outlets, offering the breakfast menu. You can get porridge here in small and regular sizes, classic jumbo oats for £1.49 (small) or £1.99 (Big); there's quinoa and buckwheat with banana, honey and seeds for £2.29 (small) and £2.69 (big) and there are extra toppings available too.<br />
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Then there's an Egg Pot (£3.89) which consists of egg, avocado and beans with feta (if you're vegetarian) or ham hock if you're not.<br />
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Sourdough toast is on offer ranging from just 99p for sourdough toast with butter, then avocado sourdough for £3.49 and the same with feta or the ham hock for £3.99. Great.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Eat – what a great place...</td></tr>
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There are rolls ranging from £2.95 for egg, avocado and chipotle ketchup, British back baco for £2.95, the same bacon with a poached egg for £3.50 and a roll containing the whole lot for £4.50.<br />
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Chilled and hot drinks are offered (a small tea is £1.55) and I think a large is £1.65 (I just got up and checked). Then there's a cold display unit offering packaged stuff like fruit juices, sandwiches and salads and, well, this is a class act I can tell. I'll definitely be coming back here and that's a fact.<br />
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EAT is a chain operation, but sometimes it's good to recognise excellence when you experience it, and that's what happened this morning when I bowled into the Finsbury Pavement outlet in London.<br />
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Top marks.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-30823359410716733412016-08-01T14:30:00.000-07:002017-01-03T04:11:06.915-08:00Steyning Tearooms, Steyning, West Sussex, UKYou can tell a decent tearoom when you see one. Normally, it's busy. So busy you can't get a seat. When I stumbled across the Steyning Tearooms that's how it was. There was one table vacant close to the cash register and the espresso machine. It was cramped, but it was a seat and we were luckier than a woman who turned up after us only to be told she'd have to see if anybody wanted to share.<br />
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"Would you mind if I shared your table?" the woman asked two women.<br />
"I'm sorry, but we're having a private conversation about work," said the younger of the two women dismissively.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ham and cheese sandwich with salad....</td></tr>
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I felt like getting involved, but decided to keep out of it. The rejected woman stood around for a few awkward minutes and then left the tearooms and stood outside cooling off. Now, I know one thing. Had I been asked the same question by the same woman I would have welcomed her with open arms, but my table only just seated two.<br />
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My lunch companion ordered a savoury scone with cheese and onion marmalade. I ordered a cheese and ham sandwich on brown bread, served with a richly colourful salad. We ordered a pot of tea for two and when it all arrived it was wonderful. The cheese and ham sandwich was perfect and the scone, I was told, was also pretty damn good. And let's not forget the tea. It was perfect too.<br />
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The Steyning Tearooms offer a wide variety of different foodstuffs, but it's not cheap. A ploughman's lunch would set you back £8.10 and if you wanted one with cheese and ham, it would cost you £9.10. A warm local bacon and goat's cheese salad was £8.10, a smoked salmon and crayfish salad was the same price and a wide range of sandwiches, like mine, would cost anything between £5.10 and £6.95 (for crayfish mayonnaise, mature Cheddar and bacon). My cheese and ham sandwich was £5.65.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scone with cheese and onion marmalade...</td></tr>
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There's other stuff too. Crumpets are £2.55 for two, a toasted teacake with butter is the same and if you want a slice of toast it'll cost you £2.00. Then there's a Sussex rarebit – Sussex Cheddar and mustard served on toasted local 'chewy' brown bread with a side salad (£7.45) or a children's special Teddy-Bears Picnic – a basket of home-made teddy-bear cheese biscuits, a little cup cake, grapes and juice served in a teapot (£5.95 or £6.25 if you add a ham, Cheddar or tuna mayo sandwich).<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Famous scones!</span></b><br />
The Steyning Tearooms, however, is famed for its 'famous scones'. Despite their fame, they're not pricey in the slightest, the most expensive being the one ordered by my wife – cheese and apple served warm with butter, cream cheese and onion marmalade (£3.80). The second most expensive scone was a plain or fruit version served warm with jam and Roddas Cornish clotted cream (£3.60).<br />
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Afternoon tea with a scone or cake is £10.95 or £11.95 if you want both a scone AND a cake.<br />
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Daily blackboard lunch specials are also available – and looked very tasty, I can tell you.<br />
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Our bill was just over £13 and it's worth remembering that credit and debit cards are NOT accepted here. Not that it presents too many problems as there's a cashpoint machine a short walk from the teashop.<br />
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This is a great place and we will return – but only if we get a seat.<br />
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<br />NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-35928979004612366062016-07-17T11:39:00.000-07:002016-07-17T12:10:34.768-07:00Tiffins, Petworth, West Sussex, United Kingdom<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffins, Petworth – a brilliant teashop and caff</td></tr>
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Petworth in West Sussex is one of those towns where one can
wander around, looking at antiques and admiring (during the summer months) the
splendid hanging baskets that seem to be everywhere. </div>
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There's a fair smattering
of eateries here too in the shape of pubs and cafés and tearooms, everything
you might expect, and let's not forget Petworth House, a stately home the town
can be proud of; and while I haven't been there for some time, I expect that
it too has a café and a gift shop – for me the highlight of any stately home
visit. Let's be honest, if it wasn't for the tearoom and the gift shop, it would be incredibly boring.</div>
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But this review is not about stately homes, it's all about Tiffin's Tea Room, a place I
stumbled upon a year or two ago and one I keep coming back to with my family as
it's perfect in every sense and never, ever disappoints. There's a touch of
Miss Marple too, a key ingredient of any self-respecting tearoom thanks to its mis-matching cups and saucers – a touch
of the Margaret Rutherfords, perhaps – it's all here, but couched in a bright and breezy
environment with friendly staff and pleasant customers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four cheese ciabatta with onion marmalade...tops!</td></tr>
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Tiffins' key attribute is the friendly staff. All the best
tearooms and caffs have a 'larger-than-life lady and Tiffins is no exception. I
don't mean 'large' in the physical sense, but in presence and while I don't
know the name of the woman at Tiffins, I get the impression that she's in
charge. What I like about her is she knows what she's doing, she knows the
menu, she knows everything and she takes control, which is great. It's important to have somebody there, guiding you through the menu, helping you make that all-important choice and backing up whatever decision you make. It's part of the experience.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I was at Tiffins yesterday (Saturday). We had decided to
drive to Petworth and a trip there isn't complete without a visit to this
great tearoom. The larger-than-life-lady greeted us like old friends, which was
great, we took a seat, a waitress approached and we ordered. I had a
three-cheese ciabatta with onion marmalade plus a pot of tea, we ordered two
carrot and coriander soups, which always includes a slice of crusty bread and
butter, and a jacket potato with tuna and beans, plus another tea. In fact, it
was tea all round and a hot chocolate for my daughter.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bright and breezy interior at Tiffins...</td></tr>
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The food here is wonderful. The soups are flavoursome, the
ciabatta was just what the doctor ordered and the jacket potato an ample size,
but not over the top (as they can be in some establishments). The tea was
pleasant too, it always is, and the other clientele quiet and well-behaved – no
babies having their nappies changed in here – although I don't want to give the
impression that Tiffins is in any way 'stuffy', it isn't. Quite the contrary –
it's a bright and breezy place with specials advertised on a colourful wall on the left as you walk in; they sell their own jams, chutney and honey for £3.50 a jar, there are
home-made cakes.</div>
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We ordered a Victoria sponge and a rhubarb and ginger
sponge. The latter was iced. Both were perfect! </div>
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Off the top of my head, I can't remember the final price, but it would have been reasonable – it must have hovered around the £18
to £25 mark as we were a party of four and I don't begrudge paying that sort of money if the food is good and the service impeccable.</div>
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It goes without saying that whenever we're in Petworth we find our way to Tiffins for one simple reason: it's perfect in every way. Service with a
smile always, decent food and beverages, reasonable prices and a pleasant, bright and breezy
atmosphere. It's what a British tearoom is all about after all.</div>
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NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-33030109362073610372016-07-16T13:26:00.001-07:002016-07-16T13:26:34.099-07:00Robertsons Coffee Shop, Oxted, Surrey, UKThere's nothing worse than the smell of babies, if you get my drift, with your cherry Bakewell – or any other cake for that matter. There's nowt worse than the smell of babies answering the call of nature, full stop, especially when you've ordered a toasted teacake with cinnamon honey and a pot of tea, and there's nothing worse than a running commentary from the baby's mother as she goes through the process of changing her baby's nappy. Actually, there's more. There's nothing worse than the sound a baby makes prior to having its nappy changed – especially if you're eating.<br />
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I was in Robertsons Coffee Shop in Oxted, Surrey, on a Saturday afternoon. I'd nipped in for a quick cuppa and something to eat, having enjoyed a cheese and pickle sandwich and a bowl of soup in the same establishment the previous Saturday. I've been here before, a few years ago, and there's now a sign outside exclaiming 'under new management'. Look, it's quite simple, I don't have a problem with women breast-feeding in public, but when it comes to changing a baby's nappy, surely that's why they invented baby changing facilities in the restrooms.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a good place, but we happened to experience a nappy changing moment.</td></tr>
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My companions and I ordered two teas, a hot chocolate, two toasted teacakes with cinnamon honey and two scones – very dry scones – and, all-in-all, we weren't over the moon. Cue a nasty aroma drifiting in from the other corner of the room where a baby was enjoying answering the call of nature, twice, in the space of about 10 minutes, accompanied by some stunningly realistic sound effects – realistic because they were real, not fake. The sounds certainly affected my attitude towards the food I had ordered. And let's not overlook the running commentary from the mum, something like, "Ooh! Look at that!" as she admired the contents of the baby's nappy, which, like a museum, had opened to the public, in this case the clientele of Robertsons Coffee Shop.<br />
<br />
There was an awning outside, it wasn't cold, but the weather was changeable: one minute sunshine, the next rain. Why didn't the manager point the woman in the direction of the fresh air, thereby allowing the aroma, if that's the word, to travel the length of Oxted's quaint high street and disappear into the atmosphere rather than mix with the more pleasing aroma of freshly ground coffee?<br />
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Robertsons is one of those quaint places that sells teapots and biscuits and different teas, not forgetting chocolates and cups and saucers and coffee beans. The teashop or 'caff' element of the business is through some doors at the back of the shop. It's an enclosed space, not ideal if you're baby's in the mood to pick up the phone to Mother Nature. Windows were good and it wasn't good for the nostrils, put it that way – or the appetite.<br />
<br />
But let's take a look at the bill. There were four of us and the bill was just short of £18. A pot of tea for one was £2.50 (we had two pots) – more expensive than in a Costa. A hot chocolate was £3.25, those dry scones were £2.25 each and the toasted tea cakes were £2.50 each! The smell of a baby being changed? That was complimentary – on the house!<br />
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We left Robertsons Coffee Shop almost £18 lighter and let me make one last observation: the cakes on display were not exactly a welcoming selection. Most had been sold, but not replenished. There were small chunks of three different cakes under one of those clear plastic containers. It could be that the cakes were so good they had all sold out, bar what was left, but when I visit a coffee or teashop and there's a paltry display of cakes, it's always a little bit depressing, even more so if there's the unmistakable smell of babies.<br />
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Look, where the baby was concerned, these things happen and I'm sure Robertsons Coffee Shop isn't always choc-a-bloc with babies desperate to lighten their loads by answering the call of nature – twice. For that reason, we won't rule it out in future if ever we're in Oxted – and we will be – but I'll check the price of a cuppa in Costa first, although I'm sure there will be babies misbehaving in there too.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-43014869081243729922016-02-18T06:19:00.002-08:002016-02-26T23:34:16.966-08:00Danny's, Redhill, Surrey, UK – what a caff!<div>
I've been here before, many times, but this is the first time I've put pen to paper. There are a number of caff options in Redhill - Cafe Piazza, the M&S cafe, Mamma Mia, a Subway, which doesn't really count, and a place called Cafe de France, which looks decidedly downmarket and is often full of slightly degenerate-looking people, sitting outside, smoking, even on the coldest of days. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage pie, vegetables and tea. Top notch.</td></tr>
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Today is not cold, but I'm a little fed up with pounding the streets on a 5km yomp around town - or rather the outskirts of town. </div>
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So I resolved to have a well-deserved and much needed hot meal. I'm fed up to the back teeth with egg sandwiches. First, they stink like a fart and second, there's nothing to them; no sooner are they opened, they are gone, and then the hunger sets in and I become prone to eating shit like cookies and cakes. </div>
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I thought I'd give Danny's a go – a good go! This is a busy place with a decent takeaway service and a few tables. There's wooden (or laminate) floors, white and pink walls and, it has to be said, some decent and traditional caff cuisine. Good no-nonsense service too. </div>
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All the old favourites are here: chicken stew, cottage pie, pie of the day, pasta dishes, you name it, and the portion sizes are huge – just what the doctor didn't order, but who cares? The only mildly unhealthy element of my meal was the custard accompanying the apple pie. Again, do I care? No I fucking don't!!!</div>
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So I ordered the cottage pie, which was amazing. A whole plate of food arrived: cottage pie, green beans, carrots, gravy – just like school dinners – and then I ordered apple pie with custard, oh, and two mugs of PGTips. Wonderful! In all honesty I could have sat there all afternoon reading Paul Auster's <i>New York Trilogy</i>, but I've got work to do. </div>
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The food quality was good – or good enough for my needs. Alright, the veg was over-cooked, but I'm not going to complain. Why would I?</div>
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Clientele wise it's interesting as there's a clear divide between the eat-in and takeaway customers: the former being old people – the Red Hillbillys as they're affectionately known – and the latter being office workers. </div>
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I've got to go, but this place certainly rocks and it gets my vote. I'll be back as this beats most of the similarly-priced establishments into a cocked hat. My bill for cottage pie, apple pie and custard and two mugs of PG was £8.</div>
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It's really important to eat a good, hot meal at lunch time. For the past few months, possibly years, I've been relying upon sandwiches. Not a good idea. Now that I've got some fuel on board, I feel almost superhuman. Can't wait for dinner either!</div>
NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-2569846355422365732015-11-17T14:15:00.002-08:002015-11-17T15:07:28.319-08:00Caffé Della Galleria, Firenze, italy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Caffé Della Galleria</td></tr>
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Having arrived by train from Milano, I wandered alone around Florence waiting for my family to arrive and I found myself considering something to eat. Nothing major, just a snack item and a glass of red wine. I really wanted somewhere to chill other than the hotel room, so I headed out into the twilight and stumbled across<br />
Caffé Della Galleria.<br />
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There's a huge gallery across the road, but also paintings in the caff, so the name probably relates to the former but is somehow bolstered by the latter.<br />
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There's outdoor seating and inside wooden floors and plain, grey tables. In a nutshell, it's a caff that's licensed offering tea, coffee, beers, wines and cocktails along with panini breads.<br />
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I ordered a ham and mozzarella panini with a glass of Chianti costing 11 Euros in total. Pasta dishes were also available as well as salads and desserts including pannacota and tiramisu (both 5 Euros). An espresso was 3 Euros, cappuccino 4 Euros and ice cream ranging from 6 to 8 Euros.<br />
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There's also a range of Dishes of the Day including Tuscan soups (pappa al pomodoro); Ribollita (bread with vegetables); and pasta al ragu. <br />
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It was dark by the time I left and wandered back to the hotel.<br />
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<br />NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-15234677762370008632015-10-17T18:10:00.000-07:002015-10-17T18:57:02.535-07:00Toni Patisserie & Café, East Washington, Chicago – this is the best 'caff' in the worldI think I've found it. The best café in the world. The place I've been looking for, but haven't found... until now. And I had to travel across the Atlantic to find it. In the Windy City of all places. The last time I found myself wandering around this great city, I thought Corner Bakery outlets were the first, the last, the everything Chicago offered, but boy was I mistaken. Corner Bakery shops are everywhere in the Windy City, but Toni Patisserie & Café? There's only one of them to the best of my knowledge and while the place looks as if it's been around for decades and might even have been in situ during Al Capone's era, it turns out I was mistaken. According to the owner, whose wife is called Toni and it is she who makes all the wonderful cakes and pastries that are displayed behind the glass counters, the café's only been around for the last four years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could tell from the outside that this was the best 'caff' in the world...</td></tr>
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It has a distinct French feel about it. There are marble-topped tables and wooden floors, a long glass counter behind which can be found blackboards, high up on the back wall, advertising what's on offer. There are specials too, like cream of brocolli soup, cream of mushroom soup, pumpkin roulade (for dessert) and so on. It's also licensed. Now I know that traditionally that would be breaking the rules of this website, but rules are there to be broken. It is licensed and that's what gives this place it's quirkiness. The wine, for instance, doesn't come in a wine glass but a small glass beaker and the portions – if that's a word one can use for wine – are huge. A small beaker of Pinot Noir is a fair bit larger than a 250ml glass, I can tell you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A decent-sized glass of Pinot Noir...</td></tr>
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I knew immediately I saw this place that it was going to be good. I saw it after it had closed on a Sunday evening around 6.30pm. I'd arrived early for a drinks reception at the cultural centre across the street and decided that I'd look around for somewhere to relax with a cup of tea before going back to the venue for the reception. I saw Toni Patisserie & Café and immediately thought: this is the place. This is THE place! The exterior looked right, the interior had something about it and I vowed to return.<br />
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And return I did. The first great thing about Toni's is that you place your order at the counter, take a small metal stand with some kind of message that must say to the waitress 'this person has ordered these items' and you find a seat and wait. So, I checked out the specials board and saw mushroom soup. I know that earlier I'd said 'cream of' but it was mushroom soup. Then I ordered a Le Cubain sandwich containing roasted pork, premium ham, cornichon, Dijon mustard and garlic aioli on a French roll. I followed this up with a glass of the Pinot Noir and took my seat.<br />
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The food was wonderful. Tremendous even. But this wasn't a meal, of course, it was a snack. A roll with a bowl of soup and, rather quirkily, instead of a mug of tea, a glass of wine. Perfect. This strange, not strange, but quirky place was a café in the true sense of the word and it was filled with normal people enjoying their lunch break. Ordinary people in other words. Office workers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom soup, a Le Cubain and a Pinot Noir...</td></tr>
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The soup was thick and tasty and the roll was simply amazing. Flavoursome. That's how I'd describe this place, it was flavoursome in the extreme. I loved it. I loved it so much that I decided to order some more. I chose a cup of English Breakfast tea and a chcolate chip walnut cookie. The tea arrived in a huge mug – absolutely perfect for me and a great counter weight to that Pinot Noir. The cookie too was to die for and for the tea and the cookie I paid $6 in cash, having already paid a perfectly reasonable $26.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate chip walnut cookie and tea</td></tr>
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In fact, I loved Toni's so much that on my last day in Chicago, having checked out of my hotel and taken an architectural river cruise along the Chicago River, I went back there. Once again it was bustling. Toni's is never going to be empty. In fact they have a mix of tables here, some are tall and round and seat two, in fact I think most of the tables tend to seat two, but then there's also a big table that people can share and a few slightly larger and lower round tables that would seat four comfortably. On my second visit I shared the big table and got chatting to two women who, like me, and I guess everybody else, including to Chicago cops who turned up on mountain bikes, love this place.<br />
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Now you might have thought that on my second visit I'd choose something different, but I loved that Le Cubain so much I ordered it again, but this time I had two Pinot Noirs and for a starter I had cream of brocolli soup, or perhaps it was just brocolli soup. Both the soup and the Le Cubain were, as I suspected, wonderful. The wine was good too and, for good measure, I ordered English Breakfast tea and a chocolate pastry that was also out of this world.<br />
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I might have started reading my book, I can't remember. I certainly flicked through a newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, which I left there. I even managed a brief chat with the owner, Toni's husband, but I'm not sure I saw Toni herself.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the excellent cakes and pastries on offer at Toni's</td></tr>
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This really was a friendly place offering great food and great value. Everybody seemed happy and why not? This place was, in my opinion, the best 'caff' in town, if not in the world. It ticked all the boxes so, for now, it's the Teashop and Caff Best Caff in the World... until somebody comes up with something better. Now that, my friends, will be a tough call.NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165183495363399795.post-61569077603094091302015-10-14T03:01:00.001-07:002015-10-14T03:01:25.123-07:00The Bar at the Fairmont Hotel, Chicago, USA<br />
This chameleon-like operation changes throughout the day. One minute it's a coffee shop and the next it's a bar. Located in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel, a big 'corporate' affair, it a pretty good place.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Tasty, tasty, very, very tasty, it's very tasty</td></tr>
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I'd arrived early and needed some breakfast so I checked out the menu and got stuck in. In fact I'd go as far as to say that I enjoyed a really decent mug of tea – which makes a change – and then I had a choice: a Breakfast Piglet (smoked honey ham, fried egg, Wisconsin cheddar, bacon, onion, jam and roasted garlic) OR a Sun-dried tomato and basil panini with a side order of strawberries and blueberries. The Breakfast Piglet was also a panini, although, really they were both toasted sandwiches, which I suppose is what a panini is, but in my book they were both toasted, crusty bread sandwiches.<br />
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I opted for the healthier of the two options, the sun-dried tomato and basil sandwich, and, to be honest, I wasn't too impressed by the name Breakfast Piglet as I had visions of the staff going out back and slaughtering a baby pig and then bringing it to me on a plate with an apple in it's mouth. My order arrived in one of those takeaway containers (odd when you consider that they'd offered me the choice of a paper cup or a proper mug for my tea – and I chose the latter – but gave me a takeaway container for my food order. It didn't matter.<br />
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The sandwich was tremendous. Very tasty. I could have eaten another one. The tea was the best I'd experienced on this trip to Chicago, so top marks to the The Bar at the Fairmont Hotel, although where I got that name from I don't know, probably the receipt. The bill, incidentally, was $11.60 and the sandwich set me back $8.00. The tea was $2.60.<br />
NoVisibleLycrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104556901898736084noreply@blogger.com0