It's not just about the coffee.... I like food as well....!

You may have guessed from the content of this blog that, as well as being a great fan of coffee, I also very much enjoy the food as well. You may also have picked up on the fact that my other passion in life (and business) is photography. Sometimes I have the pleasure of seeing both worlds collide, sometimes in rather spectacular fashion.
One such occasion was when I was recently asked to do some food photography for a local, and rather well-known chef, to illustrate his regular feature in the Manchester Evening News.
I was faced with a procession of exquisite looking dishes, ranging from starters, through mains, and onto some delightful desserts, one of which was a rather amazing Mille Feuille, which I also had the awesome privilege of eating at the end of the shoot.
As the memory of the dessert has remained with me ever since, and the requirement to go and take some character shots of the aforementioned chef for a local charity function he was involved in arose, my (slightly twisted) mind put the two together with a somewhat bizarre idea to reproduce a well-known tourist photograph theme. I had already noticed the similarity between the structure of the Mille Feuille and the layered construction of the leaning tower of Pisa, and the idea came quite smoothly in the wee hours of the morning (as such ideas often do). Having finished the charity shots, in various outfits, I politely asked Mr Nutter (his real name!) to stand in a certain position which enable the necessary adjustments to be made later that day. Since the finished picture surfaced, Andrew has used it as his Twitter profile photo (and is still currently doing so to date), and has had a life-sized cardboard cutout made of it to stand in his restaurant.
This pretty much sums up the facts that a) food can be fun and b) you can have a lot of fun at work.

For more of me:

www.howardwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

http://howardwilkinsonphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/HowardWilkinsonPhotography

Twitter: @photographyman

Instagram: howard_photographyman

For more of Andrew Nutter:
www.nuttersrestaurant.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/nutsfood
https://twitter.com/NuttersOfficial

Shelly B's Cafe, Rochdale

This particular cafe is argued to serve the best breakfast in Rochdale. I have not tried them all, but can only vouch for the fact that it would take a lot of beating.
Today's visit was for lunch with a friend (he was paying, so even better!). I opted for the gammon, egg, chips and peas, which at £4.50 is excellent value for money and, as you can see from the photos, very nicely done. In fact, writing about it now, just three hours later, I could happily go back in and eat it again (that definitely doesn't mean it did not fill me, just that it tasted so good).
A very recent addition to the cafe is a new coffee machine, which I have left far too long to go and sample. Just another reason for dropping in today.
The picture does not quite show the ample proportions, and a good sized cup is always a good thing.
Taste of the blend used is similar to a Starbucks flavour, so will appeal to many and, with a good frothy foam, generous chocolate sprinkle and appropriate strength for a cappuccino, made for a very enjoyable experience.
Close to both the bus station and the town centre tram station (2 minute walk), this is an ideal place to start of a visit to the town with a good breakfast, break for a hearty lunch, or finish off with a coffee before heading home.
If you do call in, say hello to Shelly from me!
Comes highly recommended.

The Fairview Inn, Rochdale

After spending some time with my big sister and her family, partaking of the tremendous carvery on offer (no room for pudding, unfortunately), we moved to the outside patio area to enjoy a coffee and, (for the wife, nephew and niece) a pudding.

The name of the establishment sums up it's location and, as you can see from the photo, there is a fair old view across the town of Rochdale, to the hills beyond. Perfect for a summer evening.

The cappuccino was very frothy, with a good sprinkle of chocolate powder, and a very nice taste. Looking forward to the next one.

This is now our choice of an easy tea, when we do not want to cook, and I certainly think I will be having a cappuccino next time we go.

For more details, or to book a table, please follow the links below:

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK PAGE

CommuniTea Room, Rochdale

I am pleased to say that a new cafe has opened in Rochdale. Set up by a group of local people, and I understand financed by themselves, the CommuniTea Room, is aimed at serving just that, the Community.
As I understand it, all proceeds from the cafe are put straight back into serving the community, providing space and services to those people that need somewhere to go, or someone to talk to. I believe the plans are not yet fully implemented, but they are on their way with them.
I started with an Americano, as this is a better way to judge the pure taste of the coffee blend, and it was a very pleasant-smelling, aromatic flavour, with an almost fruity after-taste.
The next round was a cappuccino, and the pictures show how well that came out. The milkier rendition softened the taste of the cafe rather, but made it slightly more enjoyable, if anything.
The cafe has been very tastefully decorated, and is a pleasant place to be, and the gentleman serving while I was in is worthy of the title.
Going off the coffee, and the very reasonably-priced menu, I can see myself returning quite soon. Not least to try the Chinese chicken-flavoured samosas, that looked rather amazing.

Gordon's Bistro in Gordon Rigg garden centre, Rochdale

Yesterday we paid another visit to Gordon's Bistro, in the award-winning Gordon Rigg garden centre on Kingsway, Rochdale.
I have been there several times, for pleasure, or to hold informal meetings in connection with my businesses.
Yesterday was a family time with one of my sons, and his family, after a lovely walk around Cowm Reservoir, Whitworth, watching the water skiers and having fun times with my grand sons.
A couple of things stood out for in particular, leading me to give them another entry on my blog...
Firstly, the rather cool G logo on the top of my cappuccino, and secondly, a rather impressive example of exceptional customer service.
One member of our group managed to accidentally drop their sandwich on the floor, while trying to share the very generous portion of coleslaw and side salad with someone else. When the waitress realised what had happened, she immediately took the recovered sandwich away and said they would make a completely fresh one. A few minutes later she returned with a freshly-made replacement.
Bearing in mind it was a customer's fault the sandwich was dropped, there was no obligation to replace it, but they did so without thinking about or questioning the situation. Top marks in my reckoning.
The prices are not the cheapest, but the value is excellent, if you know what I mean. Presentation, quality and quantity of food are top notch for a garden centre cafe, and I would thoroughly recommend Gordon's Bistro to anyone.

For details of my businesses, please have see the following links.

www.howardwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

http://howardwilkinsonphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/HowardWilkinsonPhotography

To save money on your monthly bills: www.sm4me.co.uk

To look at a very interesting second income opportunity where you can work once and get paid for it again and again, and get paid on work that other people do: www.mm4me.co.uk

Any questions, please just ask.

Bean Coffee Shop, Number One Riverside, Rochdale

Apart from being a completely state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly, and very impressive building, the new municipal building at Number One Riverside, Rochdale, also houses a very nice new coffee shop in the Bean coffee chain.
It is very modern, fresh, bright and airy, and has a full glass wall looking out over the newly restored section of the river Roch, after which Rochdale is named.
The cappuccino was very nice, with an excellent consistency of froth, just the right amount, and a wonderful-tasting coffee underneath. So nice I just had to have seconds!
The Frappe Latte was very nice too (so I was told). And Grumpy Mule fairtrade products used too. Nice.
Well recommended place to enjoy a coffee, or whatever your taste in drinks.

Tags: Coffee and wedding photography in Rochdale by a professional photographer using a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini

Crown Carvery, Sandbrook Park, Rochdale

Just off the motorway network, on a complex with an Odeon cinema, bowling alley several eating establishments (including a very good Indian restuarant), a gym that puts fitness first, and a rather large DIY store, The Sandbrook is a great place for a meeting/family meal/evening out.
It was a business meeting with one of my team (network marketing opportunity: www.mm4me.co.uk) that I decided to sample the house cappuccino.

Presentation was remarkable, with the chain's logo embellished on the top of the foam, but the experience was a little short of the initial impression.
While the foam was a reasonable consistency, and decent thickness, the coffee underneath had the appearance and taste of a rather machine-produced coffee, rather than a barista engineered one. It did the job, but only just.
The reason for being there was not for the coffee primarily, it was for the meeting, and the meeting was well worth the visit. I would suggest that the very reasonably priced carvery is probably more of a reason to visit the establishment than to satisfy the need for a cappuccino.

Bella Vista - Wedding reception coffee

On Saturday, I was shooting the wedding photographs for Toni & Stephen at the Bella Vista Italian Restaurant in Milnrow, Rochdale.
I have been there a few times to photograph weddings, and normally partake of a coffee whilst there.
This time, however, I happened to notice that every guest at the wedding, when coffee was served at the end of the wedding breakfast, received a rather splendid frothy coffee. No mean feat, considering there were around 80 guests. The waitresses ran a cracking little production line of trayfuls of cups, each with a coffee shot in, being topped up from a large jug of freshly foamed milk, then whisked out to serve to the tables. Very impressive!
The coffee was smooth, tasty, with a typically Italian-style blend.
As a wedding venue, the Bella Vista is one of the best around, with lovely places to take photos, and stunning views across the Pennines and surrounding hills. For me, as a wedding photographer, it is a local venue (5 minutes drive from my house), and one of my favourites for photo locations. To reinforce this, it is also where my son held his wedding reception a couple of years ago.
The food is always excellent, service very thorough and efficient and, bearing in mind the purpose of this post, it is probably worth calling in just for a cappuccino!
To have a look at some of my photogrpaphy work, please have a look at my photography blog, Facebook page, or website. 
Thanks for reading!

 

Tags: Manchester Oldham, Milnrow rochdale wedding photographer

Tasty Illy coffee at Macaroon in Bamford, Rochdale

Passing by the row of shops going into Bamford this morning I happened to notice a little coffee shop selling Illy coffee. Not being able to resist one of the tastiest coffee blends I know, I was duly tempted, and succumbed to the coffee urge.
The Illy cups are a little on the small side, compared to another cafe I know which has chosen to retain its own, larger cups, which are (in my opinion) much better suited to enjoying a reasonable sized cuppa.
However, coming back to the cappuccino in question, I have to say that it was an almost perfect cup of coffee with good strength, smooth foam and a generous sprinkling of chocolate powder on the top.
It still amazes me that some coffee shops still ask if you want chocolate on your cappuccino.....it wouldn't be a proper cappuccino without chocolate powder on top, would it?
All credit to Alison for a lovely little coffee shop, with a nice menu, and some lovely looking cakes (maybe some other time...).

Tags: Howard Wilkinson photography rochdale Manchester Oldham wedding photography

Feel Good Cafe now serving Illy Coffee

A little update to the post about the Feel Good Cafe in Rochdale. Click on the link to go to their Facebook page.
They are now serving Illy coffee. 
Not that I would complain about their previous coffee, but the Illy blend is rather nice.
Here's a quick pic of an Illy cappuccino.

Tags: Illy coffee, cafe in rochdale, Feel Good Cafe, cappuccino, frothy coffee.

Feel Good Cafe, Rochdale

Only open for four weeks, we were introduced to this new little cafe in Rochdale today. Opened in conjunction with Rochdale Town Centre Management, it is a great addition to the town.
It is not the most conspicuous place to find, being above the 25 Ten Boutique on the corner of Yorkshire Street and Cheetham Street, but is worth the search. Decor is fresh, bright and airy, and the first-floor windows along one full side give an open view over Yorkshire Street.
Prices are extremely reasonable, the loyalty card gives a free drink after 6 stamps, and the food is very nice.
For those to whom this matters, the hygiene is to an extremely high standard.
There are also some small alcoves within the cafe that are going to be used to allow local crafts/artists to display their work, which will further add to the charm of the place.
Overall, much to be recommended, go and check them out.
On the main subject, the cappuccino is right up there, good froth, reasonable strength, and they obviously use a nice brand of coffee as the taste is just right.

Keep it Local - Coffee Options in Rochdale

It's great when your local town centre has a selection of great little coffee shops to drop in on, although it does make the decision harder when there are a few to choose from, as I don't like to show any favouritism.
I therefore try to mix it up, partly for variety, and partly to support as many of the local businesses as I can.
Right in the centre of the Town Square Shopping Centre is a friendly little cafe called Coffee Options. It is right in the heart of the shopping centre and next to the market, so gets a good circulation of passing trade.
They serve a nice selection of cakes, snacks and even ice cream (no longer governed by season, apparently, just a favourite with the children at any time of year). A young boy was just collecting a tub of blue ice cream in front of me in the queue.
They also serve a very nice cappuccino. Perfect strength, nice size (the large one), good amount and consistency of froth and, most of all, taste very much to my liking.
This is a cafe I will definitely be calling in at on a regular basis.

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 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...

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!