Coffee Appreciation

^^ I shouted at you on York Way one morning last week. The first time you didn't hear, so I shouted in a more urgent, high pitched tone and you looked around confused but still didn't see me.

For what it's worth, I give Prufock 8 out of 10.

Good points: delicious espresso, great looking cakes, interesting tall bike in window.
Bad points: full of hipsters, cakes were too expensive to actually buy, no bike stand outside, no comfy chairs and too busy - not a place you'd want to spend an afternoon.

But the coffee was awesome :)

And the rudest staff in the whole world (apart from my most recent visit).

strange I haven't been in about a year but they were super nice when I used to go semi-regularly.

st ali/workshop on the other hand was uber rude for months when they first opened until they seemed to remove the collective stick from their arses and now seem ok when I go in.

^ This. I went to Prufrock nearly every day from the moment it opened for about 8 months while I worked in the area. And the only reason I came back wasn't for the queues or over priced food but solid coffee and lovely people behind the bar.

Haven't been back in a while though so can't judge. I'm aware that Gwilym is rarely there but I thought Jeremy and his wife were still running it? (And they've got world champ stripes written all over them).

I'll go in there tomorrow and see what reaction I get.

As I said, last time was great- but before that I took a client in for a coffee and the service was acutely embarassing and uncomfortable.

Nice, didn't realise they had guest espresso blends. I found ritual to be a bit meh but if they can source some Sightglass from SF I'll be all over it like a rash.

Yeah, interestingly that's exactly what I said to them (barring the ritual = 'meh' bit). Give them some hassle, maybe they'll specially import sightglass for us! The american lady who served me was a fan too.

For what it's worth, I give Prufock 8 out of 10.

Good points: delicious espresso, great looking cakes, interesting tall bike in window.
Bad points: full of hipsters, cakes were too expensive to actually buy, no bike stand outside, no comfy chairs and too busy - not a place you'd want to spend an afternoon.

But the coffee was awesome :)

Sorry you didn't like it all - service has always been impeccable for me and never too busy. But I'm happy for them if they're getting more business.

The service I've had in St Ali has always also been excellent. Really 'above and beyond' sorta stuff. The downside in the area for me is Dose, who are closest to my office but also the least friendly.

It wasn't me that had a problem with the service, it was absolutely fine for me. Mine are minor grumbles really, it was a really good suggestion thanks! I just prefer my coffee shops with big leather armchairs and not many people in them.

Aw no jeremy is awesome! and super nice. As too was Kirby when she was there.

Is there a good coffee place with big leather arm chairs and decent coffee?
Notes (both) have a good vibe, no arm chairs. Ben & Rob there are super nice too! barista crush

I prefer my coffee shops with kick-ass coffee.

Agreed about the bike parking.

I prefer my coffee shops with kick-ass coffee.

Ha, yeah this too. I did give it an 8 out of 10!!

Anybody know the Canterbury / Kent area? Will be down there for a few days soon so want to see if there are any decent place for coffee?

It wasn't me that had a problem with the service, it was absolutely fine for me.

Oops, I hit the wrong quote button there.

Aw no jeremy is awesome! and super nice. As too was Kirby when she was there.

Is this for me, re.: Dose? I have had good service in there, don't get me wrong - I just find them quite curt sometimes. Everyone's going to have a different opinion on these things, to be fair. I still go there to buy beans, but my alternative coffee shops in the area are less busy when I go in, so they are able to take more time to make brewed coffee for me which I like, and their staff do this thing where they recognise me when I go in and look me in the eye and smile... makes a massive difference to me.

In praise of St Ali, they once gave me a coffee and a bag of beans on trust when I realised I'd left my wallet in my office. Big bonus points on that front.

Nope Jeremy is the Prufrocker - slightish build, beard, squirrelly coloured hair, very enthusiastic.

^^ I shouted at you on York Way one morning last week. The first time you didn't hear, so I shouted in a more urgent, high pitched tone and you looked around confused but still didn't see me.

Oh good, I thought I was hearing things! I thought about turning around to see who it was but I was already late for work. Should have DAS'd me (even though I would have been on my road bike...)

Anybody know the Canterbury / Kent area? Will be down there for a few days soon so want to see if there are any decent place for coffee?

My sister is studying there – she's not quite the fiend I am, but she recommends Browns (http://www.brownscanterbury.com/), cosy sounding, well run, can't vouch for the coffee but they offer a pour over drip filter which is potentially a promising sign.

^ Cheers. I'll give them a try.

EDIT: Gave them a try and they were pretty good. Had an excellent brewed coffee from Chirri Coop in Ethopia; tasted and smelt like honey. First time I've had a brew from a Clever Dripper as well and they seem pretty good.

My daily brew

The foam is crudely done with a whisk in a small saucepan.

^ what did you brew the shot with? just trying to work out what's in the silver pot in the top pic (i.e., milk or coffee)

Anyone got an opinion on the Toddy?

I got an Aeropress and love it. Keen to try a Toddy.

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1346623463&sr=1-1"]Amazon[/ame]

^^ That's my stovetop, using Monmouth Espresso beans ground in a Porlex

I'm currently hooked on **Brunswick House's **coffee.

They use Coleman's beans.

It's a pity the staff are so surly/hungover all the time.

^ Too add to this, now I've reminded myself, the girl in there today was canoodling with her lover boy when I went in, over a coffee and croissant. I actually thought they were customers.

When I asked if the cafe was open she smirked, slunked off her stool (wearing a nude colour American Apparel body which exposed her long, toned, tanned back, plus what looked like pyjama bottoms), sauntered around in an exaggeratedly coquettish, seductive manner (either hungover or still a bit pissed), couldn't make a flat white, or find the milk jug which was right there on the counter, til I pointed it out to her, and all the while her man in the corner was eyeing her up.

I actually felt guilty for interrupting the pair's foreplay. Embarrassing or what?

And then, when I said goodbye she didn't even reply!

makes note of Brunwick House's address, gets dressed, makes for door

Anyone got an opinion on the Toddy?

I got an Aeropress and love it. Keen to try a Toddy.

Amazon

My local cafe does cold brew with a toddy and it comes out really well. I did consider getting one but I really don't need moar coffee stuff so I tend to just do it in a cafetiere.