Coffee Aroma, Lincoln
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  A downright marvellous coffee shop. |
On a wet Sunday we detoured to lovely Lincoln and popped in to Coffee Aroma.
Downstairs is the bar and a few seats. Upstairs is comprised of a couple of rooms, lovingly decked out with comfy chairs, retro wallpaper and cushions. There's a great big old wooden table - perfect for communal coffee sippage (how did they get the thing up the stairs?!).
It's a gorgeous, picturesque place, not to mention comfy and charming. I can't think of a coffee shop with a nicer interior. Just perfect for relaxing with a good mug of coffee.
That would do me nicely, thanks very much, but I was delighted also to discover coffee of the highest order.
The beans come from Has Bean, a very well regarded roastery. My latte was perfectly presented and was bubbling with freshness. And it tasted beautiful. My girlfriend's tea was excellent (she tells me).
As the rain worsened we stayed for a bit longer and I tried a "Jamaican Blue Mountain" coffee. By reputation at least, this is the best coffee in the world (perhaps apart from that one that is pooed from a cat...). I'm not a huge fan of filter coffee but it was delightful. I couldn't say if it's the best in the world, but if it's good enough for presidents of the USA it's good enough for me.
As the owner (Richard Teasdale) prepared it, he described his method, originating with a 20th Century German chemist. It helps reduce the bitterness often found in filter coffees, he explained.
Richard - as you can tell - is a coffee geek, in the nicest possible way. He has had some success at barista championships and has rubbed shoulders with the best in the world. He's a friendly guy, driven to create the perfect coffee experience.
Nice touches include a glass of water with coffee (a simple idea - I wish more places did the same), free wi-fi and a few bits of interesting artwork. There's a covered outdoor seating area, delicious cakes and an alcohol licence.
Recently (July 2009), Coffee Aroma started offering evening meals, with the assistance of a nearby restaurant.
As suggested by the huge photo board, the cow with an "I love Coffee Aroma" badge and the nearly 1000 fans of the "Coffee Aroma Appreciation Society", this is a much-loved place with a bit of a cult following.
It's one of those terribly rare places that combines a wonderful, cosy atmosphere with superb coffee. It's everything that I love about indie coffee shops.
The Angel Coffee House:
I had hoped to visit "The Angel Coffee House" on Free School Lane, but didn't quite have enough time.
Coffee Aroma
24 Guildhall Street
Lincoln
LN1 1TR
Website (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6493197626&ref=share
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Welcome to Cosy Coffee Shops, a blog dedicated to seeking out terrific independent coffee houses. Some are particularly comfy and relaxing, some serve outstanding coffee, some have both. Most serve drinks that are ethically sourced (for example, Fairtrade). We've visited everywhere at least once. Read more about this blog...
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My son had been raving about Coffee Aroma for a while. He's at Lincoln Uni and likes this place as much for the great beer range as well as the superb coffee.
After one of those trips that parents make, lugging quantities of stuff up and back, my son took me in and I have to say it is as good as it looks above.
On the next visit I'll seek out The Angel. For a guy who worked in the City of London for 22 years, I saw Seattle Coffee arrive and the whole coffee shop thing develop. In Canary Wharf, when we moved there, I kept fueled on huge coffees. Anyway... my experience was in another league this time.
Definately worth trying!!! The good news is that having found this website I'll be seeking out good independent coffee shops in future.
I work as the manager at The Angel, super shame you couldn't make it to ours :)
Next time you're in Lincoln, call in and introduce yourselves!
Chris, The Angel Coffee House