Peace, Love & Cake - Royton

Not only do they serve an amazing cappuccino, they also do a pretty awesome chicken club sandwich.
Great coffee, lovely menu, very pleasant staff and good service.
What more could you ask of any cafe?
Well worth a visit.
My loyalty card is nearly full!

 

p.s. In response to the comment, the club sandwich cost £4.25.

Debenhams cafe, The Rock, Bury

I recently enjoyed a cappuccino in a cafe with a very interesting view, especially if you are a habitual people-watcher.
The cafe in Debenhams, on The Rock, Bury, is on the upper floor and has a full glass wall looking out onto the paved area below. This means that you can enjoy a drink and people-watch without them having any idea that you are there, unless they look upwards at quite a steep angle. In fact, so absorbed was I in being nosey, that I forgot to take notes on the coffee. Ah well, there's a confession I suppose.
Here's a picture, just to show you what I mean.

The Sugar Lounge, Rochdale

What a pleasant surprise. We dropped in on The Sugar Lounge, a fairly new eatery in Rochdale this lunchtime for a quick snack, and what a impression it made on us.
The decor is minimal, but very tasteful, the service exceptional and friendly, and the quality of food offered above reproach. The menu is varied and very reasonable, with lunchtime offers including soft drinks.
I went for the piri piri chicken sandwich, and the photo below really doesn't leave me needing to find words to add to what the picture shows, it did taste as good as it looks.
My wife had the peanut caramel brownie sweet (that is one portion, not three on one plate!). The sweets are sourced from a superior quality supplier, somewhat above the usual wholesale level of food offered in some cafes.
The final surprise came from the lounge downstairs which features furry walls and very atmospheric lighting, leaving us wanting to find an excuse to get down there again.
Oops, nearly forgot to mention the cappuccino....one of the best I've had, albeit rather small for my liking. Perfect cup of coffee, taste-wise though.
Have a look at their Facebook page for more pictures and info.

Photos taken on Sony Xperia X10 

The Crimble, Rochdale - Restaurant and wedding venue

A recent visit to The Crimble to offer my services a s a wedding photographer resulted in us returning a few days later with family to enjoy a coffee in an amazing place.
Well hidden, off the main road, The Crimble is a gem of a place, with resident peacocks strutting their stuff around the grounds, and other wildlife (rabbits, squirrels) often showing themselves around in the gardens.
I was amazed at the wedding room, and the amount of money that has been invested in making the place an absolutely wonderful place to get married, from the chandeliers straight from the sister ship to the Titanic, through to all the art deco features and ornaments, and the grounds which will make a lovely backdrop for wedding photographs.
The restaurant has a very good reputation with all the people that I have recently heard talk of it, although I have not yet sampled it myself (at time of writing this entry they have an early diner offer)
Should you be thinking of getting married at The Crimble, I would suggest you get in touch with David, the wedding co-ordinator to have a look around, you will certainly not be disappointed, and probably be very impressed. (I like the place so much that I will offer you a special price for shooting your wedding photographs at The Crimble).
Coming back to the matter in question, for this blog, the coffee was well up there in the cappuccinos that I have enjoyed, and I would not hesitate to recommend a visit to The Crimble.

Photos taken on Sony Xperia X10

Gordon's Bistro is open!

The long-awaited cafe is now open at Gordon Rigg's garden centre on Kingsway, Rochdale.
They have vastly increased the area of the upstairs section and installed a very nice bistro area with diner-style seating and traditional tables/chairs.
The whole area has a light, airy feel to it and, with the views out of the upper-level windows across to the Pennine hills, is a very pleasant place to site and enjoy a meal, or just a snack or coffee.
The menu was a very pleasant surprise, offering a varied and very interesting set of choices, with a specials board to look at as well. The staff very very friendly and helpful too.
I went for the potato cakes with ham and melted cheese, a choice which proved to be absolutely perfect. Tasty, and just filling enough for what I needed that day (well, with the chunky chips it certainly was!).
There was, obviously, the need to check out the cappuccino as well. This was also a very commendable experience, nicely presented and a great mix of the strength of coffee blended with the frothy foam on top. Almost perfect!
And the two strawberry tarts were not both for me...

Photo taken on Sony Xperia x10

The Fox Bar & Bistro, Ripponden

On Good Friday we arranged a church walk around a local reservoir in Rishworth. It was a very pretty walk, and much appreciated by all who came along.

Afetr the walk, as is our usual plan, we planned to convene on a suitable eatery. Using an amzingly useful app on my phone, we had sussed out the local options a few days before and decided to give the Fox Bar& Bistro a try (rather bold, not having eaten there before and taking a group of around 20 people).

The choice proved most worthy, as they looked after us very well. I phoned ahead, as we started to walk, to let them know how many would be turning up an hour or so later and, without asking, they had sorted a long table for us to all sit together in one side of the restaurant.

The food was very reasonably priced, with the special lunchtime offer of two meals for £15.00 (from the bar meals or pasta dishes) and the quality was extremely commendable. One couple in the group were from a catering/hotel background and they were very impressed!

I cannot omit to mention the Tuscan lasagne, which I had, as the combination of pasta layered with ham an egg was a rather unusual twist on a traditional bar meal and still lingers very favourably in my memories. One to try again, I suspect.

Coming back to the matter in question, the coffee....

It was a very hot and sunny day and, following the meal, as people started to drift away, we sat outside in the sunshine and enjoyed a cappuccino al fresco (the best way to enjoy a cappuccino). As you can see, the presentation was a little on the "messy" side, but gave opportunity to lick chocolate powder off fingers. The temperature was little on the cool side, but the coffee had a very nice taste, was just the right strength for me, and had the perfect balance of froth to liquid.

Overall, temperature aside, a very enjoyable cappuccino, enjoyed outside on a sunny day, at a very recommendable establishment. Top marks from me.

Photo taken on Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

Stanwick Lakes, Northamptonshire

A recent visit to stay with friends led us to go for a walk around the Stanwick Lakes country park in the Nene valley, Northamptonshire.

The park is very family-oriented, with a playground (the likes of which I wish they'd had when I was young!) and excellent vistor centre. There are some lovely walks to be had around the lakes, and plenty of birds to spot. There is an adventure trail, and some great rope bridges, rope slide, etc. to have some fun on.

Coming back to the visitor centre, there is a gift shop and cafe, with a balcony overlooking one of the lakes. This is one of the nicest places I have ever had the pleasure of sitting to enjoy a cappuccino and, I must add, a very nice cappuccino it was, too.

Not too big, nicely presented, just the right amount of froth (enough to be able to "eat" some of it with the spoon) and just the right strength. In the said location, with an almost perfect cappuccino, in the company of my beloved, on a glorious sunny Spring day, with not many people about (midweek), what more could a man ask for?

Here are some snaps to give you an idea of how nice it was...

Photos taken on Canon EOS 5D mk2 with 24-105L lens

The Turnpike Inn, Rishworth

On the way back from delivering a wedding album the other day, we stopped at the Turnpike Inn at Rishworth to sample their coffee, as they always have a sign outside saying that coffee is served all day.

The inn has relatively recently been very tastefully renovated and made for pleasant place to sit and enjoy a coffee, looking out over the reservoir across the road.

As you can see from the photo below, the cappuccino was very nicely presented, so much so that it seemed a shame to drink it and spoil the effect.

Thirst being what it was, it had to be done, and the coffee went down just perfectly. It was a little on the strong side, but that was exactly what I needed at that moment, so top marks.

The menu was very tempting with a good choice and quite reasonable prices for the type of establishment, but time dictated that we get back and get on with some work, so maybe another time...

Overall, it is definitely a place to stop off at if you are passing that way, you will not be diappointed.

 

Photos taken on Sony Xperia X10

Holden Wood Antique Centre Tearoom, Haslingden

One of the lesser known gems of a cafe is situated in the rather pleasant surroundings of a renovated church in Haslingden, known as Holden Wood Antique Centre tearoom. Follow this link for the tearoom's own website.

The main church building houses an Alladin's cave of antiques ranging from toys, through to books, jewellery and furniture. It is an amazing place to browse, bringing back a lot of memories from childhood (oops, showing my age a little), and giving lots of inspiration for home ideas. This alone makes the place worth a visit.

When we first went there was a "coffee shop", which consisted of a small side room with very basic tables and chairs, and was not very inviting. However, and it's a big "however", they have completely set the game at a higher level and opened a cafe/retaurant in a very tastefully done extension on the side of the church. It utilises the old outside wall of the church building, which brings the old architecture into the atmosphere, and the large windows give views out onto the Lancashire hills, making it one of the nicest locations around to enjoy a meal, a drink, and your favourite company. The food is excellent, to the highest of standards, to say nothing of the cakes!!

My drink of choice was presented very nicely (see below) and was very enjoyable. We have been there several times before, will definitely be going again, and would happily recommend it to anybody.

There are numerous walks locally, as well, so you can make a day (or half-day) of it with a walk and refrshments.

Photo's taken on Sony X10 phone.

Coffee at home - Philips Senseo Coffee Maker

For Christmas 2009, my son and his girlfriend (now wife!) bought us a Philips Senseo coffee maker, not least due to our reputation for being partial to a nice coffee every now and then. It was not intended to stop us going out for the occasional (!) cafe coffee, as is our pleasure, but more to give us the opportunity to make a nice coffee at home.

There are times when, working from home, the desire arises for something more than just an instant coffee and, it is at these times that the Senseo coffee maker gets put to use.

With the cappuccino pods, used with the accompanying topping sachets, you can get a very nice cappuccino. When using the normal coffee pods, I tend to use one of the powdered milk products, such as Coffee-mate, which fulfils two purposes.... it produces a reasonable amount of froth and it helps keep the temperature up.

There are several blends of coffee available in the pods, and I am using the Morning Americano at the moment. This has a strong and rich flavour, just the job for a late-morning coffee.

Here's a little sample of what it looks like...

The Range, Rochdale

This one is the nearest coffee shop to my home. In fact, very walkable, and they do a nice panini too, ideal for an easy lunch out.

I'm sure a lot of people visit The Range and don't even know there is a cafe upstairs, much to their loss.

With comfy settees in addition to the usual tables and chairs, it is a great place to meet friends for an informal coffee and a chat (or take the grandchildren for a hot chocolate and a cookie!).

Anyway, coming back to the subject in question...  The cappuccino...

When you order a "large" one, it comes in a LARGE mug. Good so far. Lots of froth on the top with a sprinkle of chocolate powder so looks the part. However, when the froth settles (on stirring, as I take sugar), the mug is only just over half full, and the temperature is a little cool for me, allowing you to drink it straight down, should you choose. As I like to take my time to enjoy a large coffee, it is soon too cool to enjoy.

Don't let that put you off, though, I am rather fussy about my coffees. The cafe is clean, comfortable, with good service and nice sandwiches and cakes. There's plenty to look round in the rest of the store too, including a garden centre section. Well worth a visit. And there are other stores on the retail park as well...

Here's a pic to whet your appetite:

Costa Coffee in a Pizza Hut

When the need for a coffee arose yesterday, the decision was made to go to Pizza Hut. This was nothing to do with the coffee quality, but more to do with my wife's memory of how good the three shot desserts were at our last visit.

I hadn't realised that the coffees served in our local Pizza Hut are under the Costa coffee brand, so was pleasantly surprised as Costa coffees are generally one of my fail-safe brews.

The cappucino was well presented by very helpful and friendly staff (even engaging in coffee conversation, sharing their favourite coffee experience).

Disaster struck when I ordered a dessert, though, as they had (unbelievably!) run out of hot cookie dough. I had to fall back on the toffee apple crumble, which was very nice.

Here's a pic of the coffee in question...

Ye Olde Naked Man Cafe, Settle

On the way to an annual job at Simonstone Hall in Hardraw, the pre-requisite stop at Settle for lunch included a visit to Ye Old Naked Man Cafe.

On the quest for my usual bevvy, I ordered a large cappuccino, together with a hot chicken & bacon salad baguette (a new one on me). The baguette was a great choice and went down extremely well.

The cappuccino was very nicely presented, with a lovely little shortcake biscuit (see photo), and was one of the nicest tasting I have had.

Were there to be any complaints about the cappuccino, I was glad that I did not order a small one, and it was a little short on froth (I like it when the sugar lumps stick in the froth and have to be pushed through. Trivial, I know, but little things like that amuse me).

Overall though, well worth the visit, would definitely recommend it, and that area of the world is a beautiful place to be.

WRVS at North Manchester General Hospital

Sorry, no pictures this time, just a quick post to highlight a particularly good service received today at a little cafe run by the WRVS in North Manchester General Hospital.

Having been there to visit my (very) poorly wife for the last week (now home and on the mend, I'm very pleased to say), one of my little jaunts while she had a knap would be down to the WRVS cafe in the front main entrance area, the source of the largest and nicest cappuccino I could find in the hospital (the vending stations don't quite do it somehow).

At first the mix was a little milky for me. However, when I mentioned this and asked if they could make it a little stronger, they were more than happy to oblige with an extra shot of coffee and even, with a little bit of friendly banter, gave me extra chocolate powder too.

When I explained my reputation for being a cappuccino drinker, and my recent blog, they said I should give them a mention in return for being so accommodating of my fussiness. So here it is.

Here's to those ladies, and the work they do, and the oasis they provided in a particularly difficult week.

The Lowry, Manchester

When I get a free day and want to get away from it all, i.e. have some time to myself and follow my nose, I like to hop on a train to Manchester, then get the Metrolink tram down to Harbour City. This is the nearest stop to The Lowry, only a short walk away, across a lovely part of the old Salford docklands.

Apart from the obvious Lowry galleries, there is an outlet shopping mall, two theatres, the Imperial War Museum and some lovely walks by the waterside. To say nothing of the intriguing architecture of the spectacularly renovated docks.

I happened to be involved in a small way in the building of the Lowry Theatres building, in as much as the company for which I worked at the time provided the scaffolding services for the construction and, maybe as a fore-runner to what I do now, sent me to the site to take photos of the scaffolds for their publicity. If only we knew at the time what some things are pointing towards. (Sorry, that's a bit deep, isn't it...).

Anyway, coming back to the whole point of this blog, the cafe in the Lowry (at the foot of the escalators to the galleries) happens to serve one of my favourite cappucinos in Manchester. In fact, were there to be a leader board for the best cappuccino in Manchester, this would be up there with the best of them.

On the rare days when I venture away from the title drink of this blog, they also do one of the best moccha's too.

For a couple of extra photos taken at the Lowry, please have a look at my other blog entry here.

Old McDonalds

Needed a quick coffee (and wi-fi) today so called at old faithful McDonalds for cappuccino, with a salad bowl and a crispy apple pie (they were on buy-one-get-one-free today, how to make my day!).

Whatever you might think of McDonalds, they do a semi-decent cappuccino at a very reasonable price.

Sat in the car to eat/drink so I could start downloading the morning's photos onto my laptop.

Definitely not the worst cappuccino in the world (maybe we could run a feature on that).

My local coffee shop - Coffee Cali in Rochdale

You can't beat a local coffee shop.
Whenever I go down into town there is very chance I might end up in Coffee Cali, on Yorkshire Street.
The ambience is great, with comfy seating, table/chairs, and high tables with stools in the window - great for people watching!
The cappuccino is well presented (see photos), albeit a little milky for my liking, and the service is friendly and polite They also serve a nice selection of paninis, sandwiches and cakes.
Well worth a visit if you're out this way.

Here's some cappuccino photos... enjoy!

Welcome to my coffee blog

As a fan of the cappuccino, and having a reputation for being a serial coffee drinker, I have at last succombed to the temptation to keep a record of where I partake of my favourite drink, and share my experiences with whoever wants to drop in and have a look.

I'd like to say drop in and have a coffee, but the best we can do in this situation is to drop in and talk about coffee, so please feel free to comment on posts and share your experiences.

I have often thought to find where the best coffee is to be found in Manchester, but really need to widen the coverage rather than limit it to one city. (I have my opinion on the best in Manchester, and may well divulge that in a later post. It may surprise you!)

For now, I'll leave you with one of the sights that inspired this blog, spied one day while walking along Tib Street. If only it were full, it would possibly be the largest Cappuccino ever made. Who knows?