A detour in Epsom: Muffin Break

This is a bit of a derailment, considering we aren't in Sheffield at the moment, but its distinctly possible this place will open up in the Steel City sometime with branches already in Derby and Doncaster, and two in Nottingham - watch that space for a slight twist on the blog in the future...

It caught our eye immediately, being new in a place i grew up, with smart decor and beautifully presented food in the counter area.  A selection of wraps looked extremely inviting, with soup, quiches and of course cakes and MUFFINS!  I got the impression that the selections would change occasionally, rather than usual chain fare of having the same thing everywhere every time.

Being in a shopping centre, this place suffered from no windows, though there was free wifi provided by The Cloud and comfy seats. There were also loads of staff milling around - perhaps too many? - but they were all friendly and greeted on arrival and departure.

We each went for a coffee and a muffin.  I had a very well sized caramel latte which I enjoyed, and Nicky his usual double espresso.  The crema was to his satisfaction but he did find the coffee slightly bitter, not sure if it was burnt or just the blend? Who knows...

The muffins however were delicious.  I had a banana chic chip, and Nicky an apple cinnamon.  Both were really fluffy, and very tasty, reminding us of South African chain Mugg & Bean (though with normal sized portions!!). Perhaps not too surprising as evidently this chain has its origins in Australia, and it definitely felt different to the usual US- inspired UK offerings.

Definitely one to try if you come across a branch!

Amici & Bici

This new coffee shop on Abbeydale Road combines a couple of things we both really enjoy, coffee and cycling.

There is ample cycle parking, though its not really on any cycling route we particularly frequent, though it could be incorporated.  Abbeydale sadly isn't the most cycling friendly road at that end, but  hardly the end of the world.  You can also trade your helmet for a bicycle lock to borrow, which is very welcome if you've been for a nice long ride on your 'fun' bike!

On this occasion however we drove, taking a free space on the side road that the coffee shop corners with.

The premises are very bright and airy, due to the many windows which creates a really nice atmosphere.  Decoration is cycling based, with some lovely paintings, and a large flatscreen TV which we imagine will show races that are televised.  Definitely one to check out on race day.  For us on this random Thursday afternoon though it felt a little quiet; perhaps the owners could investigate services showing streams or recaps of previous races, or if hooked up to a sky+ service, record a whole bunch of races from now to have running in the background (though we are uncertain if any special licence would be required for this).  Alternatively, a bit of music would be rather nice.

Of note the whole place felt cycle friendly and, especially with plentiful outdoor seating, I wouldn't feel bad rolling up in sweaty Lycra.  The seats are easily cleaned!  There is also free wifi, and loads of power outlets we noted, so a good place to sit for an afternoon doing work.

Onto the coffee then. Service was excellent and friendly, and a whole bottle of tap water was brought to our table with our drinks - much appreciated.  Nicky rated his espresso as nice though not among the best he's had, and I quite enjoyed my latte.  Both were presented very nicely in cycling themed cups.

We also each chose a sandwich from their blackboard menu.  I suspect they may change their offerings fairly often, as there were only a few choices, but I'm sure something for everyone as I was very excited about my pesto, mozzarella and Parma ham offering.

As you can see you get excellent value for money with the food, though on the downside we couldn't fit in cake.  No gluten free options really (so I needed to watch my other choices that day), but it was worth it.  We both really enjoyed our food.

We will be coming back again before too long for sure, I think I will push for a trip after a cycle so that we can have some cake next time, and maybe even a glass of what looked to be delicious freshly squeezed orange juice!!

Out of Town: Naughty & Nice, Bakewell

Ok, I know, it's supposed to be The Great Sheffield Coffee Hunt, but I hope you'll forgive this slight indulgence because this place is worth a mention, and anybody who's anybody in Sheffield must visit Bakewell from time to time.  Plus the fact that I defaced their chalk-board in the bathroom to plug this blog and a promise of a positive review..... A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...

We had been here once before, but had sort of forgotten that it was this particular venue, though on that occasion we definitely enjoyed our meal and coffee.  The reason for the visit today was a motorbike ride out into the Peaks with the promise of a nice brunch the other side for a friend of ours.

The weather was fair, but a bit too chilly for us to sit in the courtyard (after a windy ride out), so we went upstairs into the lounge.  As we arrived, there was a large party using all of the 'normal' height tables, so we just sat on the sofas to start with, the idea at this point being to grab a coffee and maybe move on for food.  Maybe we're getting old, but I just find it incredibly awkward to eat on sofas with low tables.  A vanilla latte for our friend, a caramel latte for me, and a double espresso for Nicky.  We're so predictable that way.  All went down very easily, and very enjoyable they were too.

I began browsing their food menu, and was extremely tempted by their pancakes (creature of habit), as I'd missed my favourite treat this weekend.  Other things caught my eye, too, with the time approaching 12pm; jacket potatoes (yey! Gluten free options), soup, and some very nice sounding sandwiches.  The large party departed, the tables were cleaned down, and I persuaded my companions to stay for lunch as well.  The perspexy chairs were really comfortable, and something we'll consider for our next house, I think...

They opted for their special ciabatta (brie, bacon and caramelised onion chutney), and advertising of gluten free options in their menu caught my eye.  I was informed that they had loads of gluten free bread, so I was sold.  A tuna melt with sweet chilli sauce on gluten free brown bread was swiftly ordered, and after a short time the waitress even came back to ask if I was coeliac because their salad dressing contained gluten.  This really impressed me, even as 'only' a gluten/wheat intolerant type, so I can heartily recommend Naughty & Nice for not only their consideration and vast menu choices, but also for actually knowing all of the ingredients that they use and understanding the needs of sufferers of coeliac disease.

We had another round of drinks, which again disappeared very quickly, and sat and chatted for quite some time.  Some more bikers arrived, the beauty of Bakewell I suppose, and that reinforced that we had found somewhere that was welcoming for all.

I only wish I had enough room for dessert, as the massive range of cake (including gluten free), meringue, chocolate and ice cream sundaes was extremely tempting.  Maybe next time for the Hot Chocolate Soup...  definitely our first stop next time we're in Bakewell...

A Quick stop @Barretts235

I wanted to visit Urban Pantry Deli in Crookes over the weekend to see what little treats they had on offer (Our Cow Molly Ice Cream and Teoni's cookies amongst the goodies we brought home), and whilst inside noticed flyers for @Barretts235.  Reasoning that its name suggested it was extremely close, I suggested that we nip up and have a little look.

We weren't set on having a cup of coffee at that point in time, but we were drawn in by the atmosphere and the general look of the place.  Its open, big windows, with lots of high seating looking out made Nicky rather happy.  They advertised free Wi-Fi, good food, good cakes and good coffee.  All things we rather enjoy.

We were greeted with a smile, and had a look over their reasonably priced menu.  There were plenty of specials on offer all over the place, and gluten free cake options too (though having already had that ginger crunch in the day we decided to be good...).  A latte for me, a double espresso for him, and the crema was served to his satisfaction.

We were clad in our bike gear, full armour and all, and never felt out of place.  This coffee shop was extremely relaxed and we felt like it was the sort of place we could spend an afternoon quite easily; just what we're looking for.  Their menu had loads of tasty options on it as well, which we are looking forward to trying.

Coffee wise, maybe not the best we have had in the city, but far from the worst.  They're also local supporters, with the cakes homemade by Sweet.  Definitely one worth a visit, and worth the little detour out of town.  If only we had more time (and room in our bellies) on this occasion!

Lunch at The (new) Forum

We'd decided to give Coffee Revolution, part of the Sheffield University Students' Union, a go as it has had excellent reviews for its coffee.  We walked out very quickly though, as there was a band warming up an hour before their gig start time, and it was pretty noisy.  Didn't see anything to eat other than sandwiches either - maybe we'll return one evening.

So we ventured down the road into the city centre in search of some food.  It's been a while since I last went to The Forum on Division Street.  When last we visited, it was more of a cafe/bar, though now I'll opt to call it a coffee shop/cafe/bar.  For me, 'cafe' has distinctly foody overtones, whilst the new look Forum is definitely pushing their coffee.

Since the demise of the nearby Starbucks, one assumes they are attempting to draw in the morning crowd, now that they open from 8am with a breakfast menu, and there is a new coffee bar area.  We decided to give it a try, fancying a different lunch for the day.

They're keen to push their new menus as well, including a "Fitness and Fasting" menu, with sub-200kcal options for those on the 5:2 diet.  I personally find this fad to be the same as all those other silly diets, and I couldn't fathom being able to deliver cancer treatment on only 500 calories a day, let alone engage in any activities that could be classed as "fitness", so we discarded that one.

Their main menu has a mixture of sandwiches, main meals, lighter bites and breakfast options for the appropriate time of day.  There's codes for gluten free (G) and vegetarian (V), but I have to ask why they really bother advertising doing anything gluten free when all that is on offer is a soup, chicken wings and salmon and sweet potato cakes.  Bit more variety, guys?

That said, the sweet potato cakes were very nice.  The atmosphere is much the same as it always has been; a bit of everything.  Families, early drinkers, people out for an afternoon meal.  Not too many just sitting to enjoy a cup of coffee.  Nicky's double espresso was missing half of itself, and he was charged for the full drink, which was swiftly sorted.  The crema on top was also lacking in colour and consistency, missing the smooth 'dark honey' shade that it should have, and as a result it tasted burnt.  My caramel latte was actually rather nice, though, and the milk was very smooth, so well done on that score.

As before then, we enjoyed the food, service was ok (why place my glass of tap water on the other side of the table?), but as a coffee shop?  Well, after lunch we went to Tamper for a good cup with a slice of their ginger crunch...

tamper:coffee, straight from New Zealand

I'm one of those annoying people who scours the Internet for information before trying a place. We're cycling around Flanders in July, and part of my preparation will include googling good coffee in the local towns and cities. So it's no surprise that I found Tamper online first of all, searching for coffee in Sheffield, though we seldom go into the centre itself these days. I found myself particularly drawn to their history and general ethos; Jonathan came from New Zealand and set up shop here to give us a taste of the quality independent coffee shops of his homeland. Sometimes I think my other half quite fancies the idea himself, though in place of Kiwi Brunch we'd opt for South African cuisine.

We first tried Tamper on a Saturday morning, hoping to get there before it was too busy. Having been back since late on a Monday afternoon, I'm not sure a quiet time exists for Tamper, testament to its popularity and quality. So I'll get the downside out of the way; it's not the kind of place I would sit and waste hours reading magazines or messing about on my iPad. But if I want the best coffee Sheffield has to offer, it's top of the list (disclaimer: the blog is young, with plenty more places to try, but if consensus is to be believed this is a safe statement to make).

That morning I went for French toast - my favourite breakfasts involve bacon and maple syrup, so this was a no brainer, and considering I'd spun away 580kcal that morning already I made an exception to my 'no gluten' rule. I asked for no banana, and sure enough it came with no banana! I tried some from Nicky's plate though, feeling like I was missing out because surely it must be nice if Tamper decide so, and my 27.5 year long banana-less world came to an end. Just in time for my new fitness regime.

We sat in the window watching the world go by, but truth me told most of the world popped in for a coffee to stay or to go. In for a penny and all, we then had a delicious chocolate brownie to share.

Coffee wise I went for their favoured flat white, which was lovely. I usually go for ridiculously sweet coffee, and I've come to realise that that's mostly to counter the poor quality bitterness so many places end up serving. So this was syrup free and highly recommended. Nicky went for a long black (two espresso shots, with water on the side to pour as required), and enjoyed it immensely.

Second time round it was lunchtime, and my salami, mozzarella and pesto sandwich went down a treat with one of Jonathan's Iced Coffees - the most coffee tasting one I've had this side of the equator. It's even made with ice cream, which is something I've been searching for since my weeks in sunny Cape Town.
Nicky opted for a ham and cheese sandwich, both of which were served on 'rustic' boards, and enjoyed it with another long black. Worth saying as well that in his eyes, Tamper embodies 'all you need' in a coffee shop. Give it ten years and maybe that South African competition will appear...

Tamper only accept cash as payment, but with the nearby cash point it's not an issue. They use locally sourced products where available (Our Cow Molly milk and ice cream), which is always a bonus.

This place is definitely on our favourites list, and makes the trip into town worth it for a visit alone. They get everything right, including all the small things that so many places overlook. Here I'm including a simple greeting, even when busy, remembering details about orders, and ensuring all ingredients are actually on the menu so no surprises. Service is prompt and with a smile, ensuring customers' return.

A special mention for Caffe Nero, Ecclesall Road

I wouldn't get away with a blog about coffee without mentioning this place. :-)

I've spent plenty of hours here, too. The staff are always welcoming and will remember your order if you're a regular. People tend to shy away from chains, but I would argue that Nero is a step away from the others. Whilst Starbucks and Costa are run as franchises, Nero is all one company with one owner. This means that their standards should be consistent across the brand, though I dare say I've witnessed coffee of a lesser standard than that produced here at shops further afield.

Now let's get something straight, I'm not an espresso aficionado: that honour belongs to my bike mad better half. I appreciate the merits of a coffee with marshmallows and syrup, and all that other stuff that pollutes the pure product. So between the two of us we have all bases covered and it's obvious that the guys and gals here care about how their drinks are made.

Free wifi without any silly time limits is also a plus, and clearly makes this spot a favourite of the MacBook Air owning crowd, as there are plenty of plug sockets dotted around the joint. In fact, I'm using their Internet right now with a caramel frappe latte!

I'm told their regular espresso is nice too, and we never feel rushed sat around. Despite previously citing my love of comfy chairs (of which there are plenty), I find myself often sat on the high tables near the counter for some reason, checking out the latest flyers from local talent.

The only thing for me that lets this place down is their sad lack of gluten free lunch options. I try to stay away from bread for main meals at least (I frequently succumb to their maple pecan pastries or white chocolate raspberry muffins), and really the only thing open to me with that in mind is soup without the bread.

So, if I've had lunch, ill spend a day here happily. But ill probably like to have eaten something substantial first (except at Christmas where the turkey panini is irresistible)!