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.

The Corn Exchange, Manchester

Wasting a little time while my car was in for repair involved a train ride into Manchester and the inevitable coffee stop. Today I decided to venture into the Corn Exchange to enjoy the lovely surroundings, with a coffee courtesy of Caffe Nero, in one of the coolest looking structures I have seen for a coffee shop.
I opted for the cappuccino (to suit the purpose of this blog) as I find the Americano a little on the strong side in Caffe Nero.
It was a good choice, as the frothy milk offset the strength of the coffee nicely, making for a very nice cappuccino, as many are just not strong enough. I was able to sit and enjoy a lovely cup of coffee, while having the extra experience of watching SKY TV record a scene from the comedy series Give Out Girls. Signs around the mall suggested that the public should be aware that they may be filmed while in the building, but I think I was far enough out of view to not appear in the background.

Annie Peaches Tea Room, Lamberts Mill, Rawtenstall

After a lovely walk around Clowbridge Reservoir, my wife and I stopped off at Annie Peaches tea room in Lamberts Mill, Rawtenstall (BB4 7NX) for a spot of lunch and a coffee.
It is a very well presented cafe area within a mill that sells furniture, clothing and gifts (so is worth a visit to look round the other departments as well).
They have a very high (5) hygiene rating, and the place does feel exceptionally clean, bright and airy.
The service is exceptionally good, friendly and polite, and the food looks and tastes very nice indeed.
The cappuccino (got there eventually!) is a little on the small side, but has a good amount of froth, and a good flavour. Maybe a little milky for me, but that is just a matter of taste.
Overall, the cafe is very much to be recommended, and I will certainly be going back, and recommending it.
Here are a few pics, including the Mexican Chicken sandwich that my wife ordered. Couldn't resist the array of colours, complimented by the side salad.

Tags: Coffee shop in Rawtenstall, photography by Howard Wilkinson Photography, wedding portrait and event photographer, also offering commercial photography services.

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

The Mess Cafe, Sharston, Manchester

Not being one to miss the chance to try out a newly opened cafe, I ventured down to The Mess Cafe, Harper Road, Sharston, Manchester, M22 4RG.
The cafe has only recently opened, and is run by the Message Enterprise Centre. Please click the link to find out some more about the amazing work they do to help young offenders find work and gain experience, and to see the other businesses they operate at the same premises (you could have your hair and nails done, then enjoy a leisurely, and very nice lunch).
The cafe area has a very light and airy feel, with a modern-style decor, and the menu is fresh and interesting, with highlights such as the breakfast bagel (which is already getting a bit of a cult following) and the grilled chicken and chorizo salad with haloumi (see pictures below).
They have one of the best ranges of coffees I have seen, with a clear explanation of what each one comprises, and a nice selection of sandwiches, paninis, soft drinks and cakes. (Did I say cakes!).
I had to go for the obligatory cappuccino (of course, subject of this blog!) and it had to be a large one with chocolate sprinkle (why do a "cappuccino" any other way!).
It was a good size, very good-looking, and had a nice, albeit slightly too-milky-for-me taste. Maybe a bit more froth would have been a bit better, but overall a great cup of coffee.
If you are looking for somewhere in the Wythenshawe/Sharston area of Manchester to get a great cup of coffee or enjoy a relaxing light lunch, you could not do much better than drop in to the Mess Cafe, Next to the Message Trust.

Links: Howard Wilkinson Photography, FACEBOOK PAGE

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.

Housing Units, Hollinwood

A quick little visit to Housing Units of Hollinwood ended up in the inevitable visit to the cafe for a coffee and a spot of lunch.
The quality of homeware and furniture in the store is exceptional (and the prices reflect this), and it is a pleasure to browse such quality products, get ideas, and make up an imaginary wish-list. On this occasion we did not come away with anything, but made some mental notes for when we move into our new home (hopefully quite soon).
The cafe was busy (normally a good sign!) so we left our lunch until after we had looked around, and managed to time it just right, as the main lunchtime rush was over by the time we got there.
I ordered a steak and cheese pannini with a cappuccino (no surprise there), and my wife went for a "Half-and-half" soup of the day and sandwich with a latte.
I have to be honest, the standard of food and drink in the cafe did not reflect the quality in the rest of the store. The cappuccino came with plenty of froth, but the coffee was not at all inspiring and chocolate powder was sprinkled with the finesse of a grit spreader. The pannini was rather too well done, which made eating with a knife and fork rather hard work. Fingers it had to be (not a major complaint as I prefer to eat sandwiches that way). My wife's soup was not particularly hot, contrasted with a tuna sandwich that did not give the impression of the Tuna having been chilled right up to preparation. Slightly disconcerting, and the psychological effect detracted slightly from the overall enjoyment.
The cleanliness was without question, and the standard of service and turnout of staff was in keeping with the Housing Units. I can only assume that we caught them at a bad time, and it will not necessarily mean that we do not go again.