Cosy Coffee Shops

Milk Bar, Soho, London

2009-11-29T16:45:00Z

One of many top coffee shops in Soho is the renowned and popular Milk Bar.

]]> I visited as my weekend of London coffee shops drew to a close.

I'd popped by a few weeks previously with friends, without camera. The majority opinion then was of great coffee and superb bacon and eggs, but also of bare walls and a glum atmosphere. So not entirely unlike my experience of Milk Bar's big sister, Flat White.

This time around, the staff and customers seemed a bit more chipper. And, again, the coffee was fantastic (though I'm not a big fan of coffee served in a glass). It comes from Square Mile, supplier of many a top London café.

My girlfriend's hot chocolate was "really yummy", she tells me. It's nice to see that sort of attention to detail (so many places neglect things like hot chocolate). It's also nice to see cup-cakes, and a water fountain.

Seating is by way of wooden benches and chairs. It's not the most comfy of places but it's chilled, friendly, and easy enough to find a spot for a relaxing cuppa.

By the time you read this, Milk Bar will have undergone a change of decor, replacing pale walls with something a bit more colourful. The baristas tell me it will change around every 6 weeks, which is either an idea nicked from Tina We Salute You or vice versa (or just a coincidence, of course).

Not uber-cosy but highly recommended, particularly for the coffee.

Milk Bar
3-5 Bateman Street
London
W1D 4AG

Nude Espresso, London

2009-11-29T15:00:00Z

Between Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane is Nude, with the bare cheek to be one of the best coffee shops in London.

]]> Nude was the fourth coffee stop on my rainy weekend in London.

It is different from the others as the coffee beans are unique to Nude. It used to buy from Monmouth Coffee Company, but now sources its own and roasts them on site. It is the only coffee shop I know of in London which does this (Monmouth roasts its own, but not on site).

It's a popular, bustling place. It's run by Rich, a Kiwi, who is passionate about his coffee. So it's another place in London run by folk from down-under, and what a wonderful job they're all doing.

My coffee was fantastic, and expertly presented. On a weekend of amazing coffee, it stood out. So it's yet another London café fully deserving of the "top notch for coffee" label.

There are plenty of seats and it's lighter and more inviting than some other cafés in the capital. There are a few corners for a lengthy sit-down, though when I was there it was very busy and quite noisy. The service is friendly and the food (although I didn't have any) looks great.

Comfy, friendly, and brilliant coffee. A very fine place.

Nude Espresso
26 Hanbury Street
London

http://www.nudeespresso.com/

Gwilym Davies' Coffee Cart, nr Columbia Road, London

2009-11-29T12:00:00Z

It's official - the world's best coffee-maker of 2009 is in London, and he's hidden away behind a flower market.

]]> The ever-popular Gwilym Davies won the UK Barista Championship in 2009, then flew to Atlanta and - to the delight of his fans back home - picked up the title of World Barista Champion.

You might expect to find him behind a swish coffee bar, or running a prestigious roastery (like 2007 World Champion, James Hoffman). In fact, Gwilym can be found in the corner of a flea market behind Columbia Road, running a nameless coffee cart.

I was delighted to meet Gwilym, despite torrential rain trying persistently to dampen my spirits. I also had the pleasure of bumping into James of Square Mile (see above). It was Square Mile coffee in Gwilym's world-beating cups, and the same roastery supplies the beans for Gwilym's cart.

The coffee was wonderful - even my non-coffee-drinking girlfriend thought so. It is extracted from the same machine that helped Gwilym to his world title.

This is the humble setting for the best barista in the world, and a wonderful testament to the quality of coffee in London and the UK. It was a pleasure to meet those involved.

This isn't a coffee shop, and it's not cosy. Sometimes there are queues, and it might not be Gwilym pulling the shots. But it's well worth a visit for those readers who favour great coffee over comfy sofas.

NB: Sundays 8am - 2pm only!

Gwilym is a hard man to track down. To find him at other times check out the "Tracking World Barista Champion Gwilym Davies" article at the excellent Young And Foodish blog.

Gwilym Davies' Coffee Cart
7B Ezra Street
nr Columbia Road Flower Market
London
E2 7RH

Sundays 8am - 2pm only!

Taste Of Bitter Love, London

2009-11-29T11:00:00Z

On Hackney Road in London is the intriguingly monikered Taste of Bitter Love.

]]> Taste Of Bitter Love (or "TOBL" - after a Gladdys Knight And The Pips song) is a tiny place. There are three small tables - enough for 6 people.

It packs in a lot of character for somewhere so petite but it's a bit too cosy (small) to be cosy (comfy).

The coffee comes from the excellent Square Mile roastery. My latte was great, and I also had a fresh pastry which went down a treat on a post-wedding Sunday morning (not my wedding, by the way).

Though this blog is not about tea, I should convey the expert thoughts of my tea-drinking partner, who was disappointed to receive just a tea bag rather than a whole pot (though we wondered if the other types of tea might be served differently).

This is one of many London coffee shops run by Antipodeans, in this case Australians. They're a friendly bunch, and expert baristas.

There's no toilet but the landlord owns a pub down the road and you can use the facilities there.

This is the only coffee shop I know with Fonda's Workout Book on display. A fantastic claim to fame.

I accidentally left without paying, realised ten minutes later and walked back to hand over the cash. Yes, I'm excessively honest, but TOBL is deserving of my hard-earned cash.

Taste Of Bitter Love
276 Hackney Road
LONDON
E2 7SJ

Mon - Fri: 7:30 - 4
Sat: Closed
Sun: 10 - 3

http://www.tasteofbitterlove.com/

Tina We Salute You, Dalston, London

2009-11-28T09:00:00Z

This is the wonderfully-named Tina, We Salute You. And we salute Tina, the muse for this super place.

]]> As soon as this entry was published, the photos were out of date.

Every 8 weeks, Tina undergoes certain changes. The walls are whitewashed and a local artist takes over, creating a brand new decor for the next two months. We arrived on the last day of the current theme (by a graffiti artist).

If we'd come a couple of days later, we would have been sitting in a 1970s Christmas lounge.

What a brilliant idea. Another brilliant idea is to offer coffee of the very highest order. Mine was perfectly presented and delicious. The beans come from the highly regarded Square Mile Coffee, a name you might be familiar with if you frequent London's top coffee shops.

Another brilliant idea is kitch ceramic teapots and cups, with proper loose-leaf tea and a strainer. I don't know anything about this "tea" stuff, but my girlfriend does and she was dead impressed.

And there are more brilliant ideas... great big doorstops of toast, a communal table with preserves in the middle, and, of course, the name, which the friendly owners tell us came about one drunken night.

Many of the customers are regulars (a good sign). One of them asked me not to make her favourite place too popular!

You'll have to make a detour from the well-beaten central London path to get there, but if you do I very much doubt you'll be disappointed. Tina, We Salute You is one of those very special coffee shops which left me not just content but inspired.

Tina, We Salute You
47 King Henry's Walk
London
N1 4NH

Tuesday-Saturday 8am-7pm
Sunday 10am-7pm
Monday closed

http://www.tinawesaluteyou.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-United-Kingdom/Tina-We-Salute-You/54908535403

TeaHee!, Easingwold

2009-10-31T16:00:00Z

TeaHee! (don't forget the exclamation mark) is a comfy little coffee shop in the pretty North Yorkshire town of Easingwold.

]]> The shelves are decked with jam, cuddly toys, strings of garlic and fairly lights. Chunky wooden tables are topped with vintage tins. Counters are stacked with cheese and cakes. It's the stuff of picture-postcards.

My coffee (a latte) was pretty good. The beans come from Coopers; the same supplier of Leoni in the not-very-far-away town of Malton.

Coffee fans, don't let the surreptitious reference to tea in TeaHee! put you off... you'll be glad to know the subtitle to this place is "Cheesemonger and Espresso Bar", and they take their coffee seriously.

My girlfriend enjoyed her tea and the snow-dusted ghostly gingerbread man.

TeaHee! has won much acclaim. In 2008 it scooped a couple of regional "top tearoom" gongs (coffee lovers - stay with me) and has accumulated six titles from the prestigious Great Taste Awards. It also won an award for the best bacon buttie in Yorkshire.

The owners have even met the Hairy Bikers... wowsers.

For warm, sunny days (not the day I visited) there is a well-kept back yard with a few tables.

Inside and out, it's a friendly, colourful, popular and charming place - a lovely spot for a sit down.

If you're still wondering how a tea room has sneaked in to this exclusively coffee shop domain, then stop wondering - this is as much a coffee shop as it is anything else, and definitely deserves a spot in Cosy Coffee Shops.

TeaHee!
3 Tollbooth Cottage,
Market Place,
Easingwold York YO61 3AB

Tel. 01347 823533

Mon to Fri - 7am to 6pm
Saturday 7am to 5pm
Closed Sunday

http://www.teahee.co.uk/

The TeaHee! blog: http://teahee-easingwold.blogspot.com/

Farrer's Tea And Coffee House, Kendal

2009-09-14T10:00:00Z

Not far from the Lake District is Kendal, with its mint cake and cafés. One of these cafés is Farrer's Tea And Coffee House, which has been recommended by a reader.

]]> My girlfriend and I sat down near the kitchen, which in hindsight was probably the worst seat in the house. The clankings and bangings were distracting, and the waitresses were shuffling up and down the stairs in a terrible hurry.

Our waitress seemed to be in a constant state of nervous tension, which didn't do much to help us relax.

The menu makes a big deal of coffee, which comes from Farrer's own roastery just down the road. I had something from a caffetiere, which was ok.

There didn't seem to be an ordinary latte on the menu (the closest option being a "caffe latte machiato", which is very different from a latte as the espresso is added after the milk, rather than before). Most coffee options are "dusted with chocolate" by default, which I tend to think is a bad sign.

One of the shop assistants told me that the coffee is ground first thing every morning, "so it is fresh". In fact, this doesn't mean the coffee is fresh - ground coffee lose its freshness very shortly after grinding.

So this may not be the best place for coffee, but maybe I'm getting a little pedantic. This blog isn't just about coffee, it's also about setting, and that's the best thing about Farrer's. It's generally very pleasant (apart from where we sat, on the lower ground floor) and the olde worlde, characterful surroundings are wonderful.

There are plenty of seats (the upper floor seeming like the best spot) including a small outdoor area (in the middle of the pavement) and an extensive shop with plenty of pretty tea-and-coffee-related things.

Normally, I would expect to adore this sort of coffee shop. On this particular day I didn't take to it, but this may have been partly down to bad luck, and I've been wrong before on a first visit.

I would love to go back and give it another try, especially in view of the good things I have heard. Without doubt it's a popular place.

Farrer's Tea and Coffee Shop
13 Stricklandgate
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4LY

Website: http://www.farrerscoffee.co.uk

The Square Orange, Keswick

2009-09-13T11:45:00Z

A terrific coffee shop in a beautiful part of the world.

]]> The Square Orange is plucked straight from continental Europe and plonked in the most English of settings - the Lake District. It is clearly inspired by the café culture of France and Italy, offering time to sit with a coffee or a cool draft beer.

The only thing missing is an old frenchman smoking away in the corner (not that that would be allowed today, even in France).

The coffee is very good (I had a latte). It comes from Absolute Coffee, a roastery I am not particularly familiar with (although I know of the owner Youri, who has been kind enough to recommend a few places on the readers' recommendations page).

There are fresh pastries available and the daily papers. There are also plenty of board games, including chess, Pictionary and Connect 4, the last of which kept my partner and me occupied for some time.

There are also options for a cooked lunch, focussing on "stonebaked pizzas". Despite the food and the alcohol, this still feels very much like a coffee shop (if it didn't, it wouldn't be in this blog).

On doing my usual pre-visit research I noticed a second and larger Square Orange in Kendal. However, on writing this entry (about a month later) I couldn't find any mention of it, and must assume - sadly - that it has closed down.

If that's the case then it's a real pity, because the Square Orange in Keswick (the only one remaining) is a friendly, relaxing and welcoming place. We very much enjoyed killing an hour or two here.

A very decent coffee shop which I am delighted to recommend.

Keswick Square Orange
20 St. John's Street
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5AS

Website: http://www.thesquareorange.co.uk/

Gatehouse Coffee, York

2009-08-08T09:00:00Z

Us York-ites are spoilt for choice when it comes to indie coffee shops. As if we needed another, up pops Gatehouse Coffee, one of the most interesting cafés you could wish to find.

]]> It's nestled into Walmgate Bar, one of York's many ancient sites (note: in local parlance, a "bar" is a gate and a "gate" is a street).

The Bar is a bit out of the way (about 10 minutes walk from the centre) and there's not much else around, but it's a wonderful building and well worth the trip. This is what it feels like to stumble on to Platform 9 3/4 (I imagine) and into a bygone age of stone and leather. More charm than a Professor Flitwick class, you might say.

And because it's out on a limb, it's a perfect place for sitting reading for a few hours (I've happily filled a couple of work-related study days here).

The coffee comes from Union Handroasted, a well regarded London roastery which supplies a few other cafés in this blog. The baristas are passionate about their coffee and they do a fantastic job. I've popped in a few times over the last couple of months and tried a few brews, all really good and very well presented.

Intriguingly, most of the voices I've heard on my trips have been American, including those of the baristas. Many are students of the nearby Bible College (more on that below). They're a nice, friendly bunch.

Equally intriguingly, to reach the toilet you have to walk behind the counter. Surely a health and safety issue?! If you still fancy food, there are a limited number of basic options (including a few sweet things).

Now for the interesting part. Gatehouse is owned by Calvary Chapel, an evangelical Christian fellowship originating in the USA with a branch and Bible College nearby. It used to be housed in the Bar and, after moving to bigger premises in 2008, it kept the building and turned it into a café. But this is no pale church room with 50p instant coffee, it's a right proper coffee shop.

Almost every book on the amply-filled bookshelves has a Christian theme. There are various religious adornments. Christian rock, the Vogon poetry of the music world, plays constantly through the speakers. It's no surprise that I've seen a lot of customers wearing headphones. Bring an iPod or chatty friends (seriously).

The baristas tell me that Gatehouse is first and foremost a missionary; it's more an extension of the Chapel than a business. Even the price of the coffee is kept low to entice visitors and to spread the word of God.

As an empassioned secularist and humanist, the views of Calvary Chapel are pretty much the opposite of mine. It's a pity for me that the almighty has to intrude (and so excessively) while I sip my coffee. Even the loyalty card quotes the Bible, and it seems that things don't bode well for unbelieving customers like me ("whoever believes in him [Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life").

After an internal struggle with perhaps my least favourite thing (evangelical religion) on the one side and one of my favourite things (a decent coffee shop) on the other, I'm glad to say that the friendliness and comfort of Gatehouse won the day. I've been back and I'll be going back again.

I'm sure some will find the Christian theme a bonus, and others a novelty. For the rest of you, be prepared, and hopefully you'll enjoy the friendly atmosphere, good coffee, comfy chairs and smashing olde worlde surroundings.

Just remember the headphones.

Gatehouse Coffee
Walmgate Bar
York

Open every day except Sunday.

Some information about Walmgate Bar at the York Council's website

Coffee Aroma, Lincoln

2009-07-19T12:30:00Z

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

The Little Red Roaster, Norwich

2009-07-17T14:30:00Z

This is a little coffee shop with its own roaster, which is itself quite little, and red. It's not far from the centre of Norwich.

]]> My poor sisters and girlfriend were dragged here during a trip to Norwich with just the promise of a free coffee (i.e. paid for by me) keeping their little legs moving. As it turns out, they were glad to have made the effort.

And by "effort", I mean a short walk from Norwich city centre. Perhaps they were just worried I'd get us all lost (completely unfounded).

The coffee options are many and varied, including a flat white (always good to see those on a menu). Whenever I try a flat white I hope it's as good as the ones I've had in London (e.g. at Fernandez & Wells and Flat White), but this one wasn't, quite.

But it was delicious, and beautifully presented. I also had a latte which was equally delicious, and equally well presented. Our little group enjoyed all our drinks.

The coffee is roasted on the premises in the eponymous roaster, a dainty red thing behind the counter. One nugget of wisdom I've picked up on my coffee trawl is that it's a tricky business, roasting coffee. Very few coffee shops take on the burden of doing it themselves.

The coffee is Fairtrade and organic. There's also a good selection of food available, including fresh pastries.

The LRR is a cute, comfy and picturesque place, hence all the photos. They make great use of a small, flowery outdoor area, perfect for a sunny day, and the window bench is ideal for people-watching.

But it is very small and I understand it can get busy. Not surprising - it's the sort of friendly, communal, feel-good spot that engenders a bit of a cult following.

This is easily the best coffee shop I've found in Norfolk.

Small but perfectly formed. A little bundle of joy.

The Little Red Roaster
81B Grove Rd
Norwich
NR1 3RT

Tel. 01603 624886

Facebook: Little Red Roaster's Facebook page

Java Lounge, Douglas, Isle of Man

2009-07-07T12:30:00Z

Up a flight of stairs in the middle of Douglas is Java Lounge, a popular coffee shop.

]]> There is no Starbucks or Caffe Nero on the Isle of Man, presumably for lack of demand amongst the 80,000 or so inhabitants. It's left to the indie coffee shops such as Spill the Beans and Java Lounge to provide the locals' caffeine (oh, and a Costa, apparently).

There are plenty of shiny red sofas and a few cosy corners, making for a comfy spot to slouch with friends or attempt a crossword. It's light and airy and benefits from being slightly hidden (it's up a flight of stairs and easy to miss).

The window seats are handy for watching Douglas shoppers amble about their business. Books and art add a splash of colour.

All the usual drinks options are available, plus light bites. I didn't especially enjoy my coffee (from the familiar name of Illy).

It's not particularly full of charm and cheerfulness, but it's a nice place. An alternative is the excellent Spill The Beans.

Java Lounge
43/45 Duke Street
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 2AU

Website: http://www.java-lounge.co.uk/

Hemingways Coffee House, Liverpool

2009-07-04T14:00:00Z

Hemingways is a cool, comfy coffee shop tucked away in the back streets of Liverpool.

]]> A few minutes before I'd stumbled across some sort of open-studio / artists' commune in an old warehouse, complete with cannabis plants and very relaxed French dreadlocked creative types (and some beautiful art).

Hemingways was a suitable next stop, with its chilled and airy surroundings and plentiful and very (VERY) comfortable sofas.

I had an unusual sort of coffee. The menu said it was a "tazza d'oro".... it rang a bell and when I looked it up later it turns out I was thinking of a roastery. But apparently it's also more or less an espresso plus cream (so I think it's the same as an espresso con panna, which is the more usual term).

But anyway, whatever it was it was very nice, though maybe not the best indication of the overall quality of Hemingway's brews (I would have ordered another but I was all coffee-ed out by then).

And of course, in addition to these unsual bits and bobs, all the usual coffee choices are present, plus food.

This is one of two Hemingways branches, the other (which I didn't visit) being on Tithebarn Street. This one's very close to the centre but still manages to be in a quiet, undiscovered sort of spot.

It's a place to relax and have a chat with the baristas, who are a friendly bunch. Maybe have a game of something - there are plenty available. It says something about a coffee shop that they're happy for customers to embark on a game of Risk (which, from experience, normally takes hours and hours).

A great place with plenty of space and very comfy sofas (did I mention that already?).

Hemingways
52 Duke Street
Liverpool Chinatown
Liverpool
L1 5AA

The Mocha Lounge, Liverpool

2009-07-04T11:00:00Z

On a rare visit to lovely Liverpool I popped into The Mocha Lounge for a morning coffee.

]]> It's a plush and palacious room set down from a quiet road.

There are chandeliers, an ornate mirror and rustic chairs and tables. It's a sort of art deco hideaway (ok, I can't say "art deco" without admitting I'm rubbish when it comes to architectural styles and am probably wrong -- ok, disclaimer over).

There are also modern sofas, plants and big shiny wall menus. It even has interesting doors leading to the toilets (what more could you want?).

All in all, an interesting mix of new and retro.

It was fairly empty when I visited (about midday on a Saturday). It felt a bit too large to be perfectly cosy, although there are plenty of spots for sitting and relaxing. Lots of comfy sofas... always a good thing.

My latte was really good, with some lovely latte art. As far as I can tell, the Mocha Lounge is supplied by the excellent Has Bean roastery (it certainly was in 2008 and I've seen nothing to suggest it isn't still... unfortunately I haven't been able to contact the owners by e-mail but I'll update this entry if I get some more details).

It's licenced and there are light bites for lunch, but it's still very much a place for coffee drinkers.

A very nice spot for a very nice hot mug of something. Unlike many places, it's large enough to be assured of a comfy seat in which to while away the hours.

Keeping in mind I've only been to a couple of the city's coffee shops, I'll tentatively suggest The Mocha Lounge serves the best coffee in Liverpool.

The Mocha Lounge
20 Sir Thomas Street
Liverpool
L1 6BW

Open 7 days a week.

Tel: 0151 236 7737

Websites: http://www.themochalounge.co.uk , http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liverpool/The-Mocha-Lounge/22360471222 , http://www.myspace.com/mochacoustic2 (Myspace page with details of Friday night music)

Café Harlequin, York

2009-06-27T14:30:00Z

Of all the coffee shops I've found in York so far, Harlequin offers the best brew. And it's a lovely place in many other ways.

]]> Harlequin popped up from right under my nose. York is my home town and it troubles me to think that this fantastic coffee shop went undiscovered for so long..... my radar is obviously not what I thought it was.

I had heard good things about it but not, as such, as a coffee shop. But then I started hearing good things about the coffee. So, a visit was due....

My coffee (a mocha) was great. The beans, including a custom Harlequin blend, come from the renowned Has Bean roastery (http://www.hasbean.co.uk/). There are bags on sale under the guise of "The Coffee Shack". Co-owner Gordon explained later that one variety was in the winning cup at the 2008 World Barista Championships.

My partner plumped for a tea and was given the option of milk or lemon to accompany (a nice touch). She tells me it was delicious. It came loose in a china pot, to be poured through a strainer (another nice touch).

It's in a bit of an odd spot. Bang in the centre of York, on the first floor and accessible through an inconspicuous beige door. As a result, there's limited passing trade, and many of the customers are regulars.

The interior is unlike most other coffee shops in this blog. It's a big, calming room and distinctly tea-roomy with its table cloths, round glass-topped tables, pale walls, chandeliers and ornate mirror. It has little of the character I hanker after in indie coffee shops (contrast with Coffee Culture, just round the corner).

Gordon tells me he hopes to open a second room upstairs and to generally re-arrange things a bit, including popping in a few comfy sofas. As it is, it's nicely decked out, just not my cup of tea(room).

But everything else is great, including friendly service and excellent drinks. The food is also very good, with efforts made to source local produce.

Gordon showing us the ropes......................and my fumbling attempt at a latte

About a month before my visit, Gordon had found out about my interest in all things coffee, and he kindly invited me and my girlfriend along for a behind-the-scenes tour, which was fascinating. What do you mean it was only for a write-up in Cosy Coffee Shops....? Don't be so cynical.

By the way, my later visit as a "normal" customer was strictly incognito and made while Gordon was away!

One of Gordon's creations

Gordon has competed successfully in regional barista and latte art championships and loves what he does.

It's always great to find someone who is passionate about nice things, whether it's coffee, tea, food or anything else. Everything at Harlequin is done with perfection in mind, and it's highly recommended.

Café Harlequin
2 Kings Square
York
YO1 8BH