Frankie & Benny Cappuccino

Went for a sneaky tea at our local Frankie & Benny restaurant with my good lady recently and, despite running out of time, couldn't resist having a quick cappuccino fix.
The froth was legendary, as you can see from the photo....made me want to minimise myself and go running in it.
One of my little issues with cappuccinos on offer at many establishments is that they are almost no different to the lattes, just served in a different shaped cup, and with a sprinkle of chocolate on top. This could not be said of the F&B cappuccino.
As we all know, a cappuccino should be noticeably stronger than a latte, and this one certainly fitted the bill. Not bitter in the slightest, but rich enough, and strong enough to let you know you were being hit with a definite coffee fix. A great after-dinner coffee.
After being introduced to Calzone for the first time (Chicago Grinder!), and enjoying it very much, the almost perfect cappuccino rounded the meal off nicely.

Tags: Rochdale, Frankie & Benny, Calzone, Cappuccino

Coffee House, Horse Carrs, Rochdale

A new coffee shop opened recently in Horse Carrs, Shawclough Road, Rochdale, OL12 6LG.
Based in a lovely old house, the counter is in the hallway, at the foot of a grand staircase, and the seating areas occupy two of the rooms leading off the hallway, which are very tastefully decorated in period-style colours, with log-burning stoves (great for wintery days).
The menu is simple, but the quality excellent, and certain of the ingredients, and the cakes (!) are provided by Slattery's of Whitefield, so the quality is without question.
I went for the curried vegetable soup, which was exactly as imagined. Just the right consistency and not too spicy, just enough to tickle the taste buds at lunchtime on a sunny autumn day. The coronation chicken sandwich was very nicely presented and tasted terrific.
I had to try the cappuccino, as this is the subject of this blog, and I was not disappointed. Very nice looking froth, with a good texture, covering a very tasty coffee with a good strength.
Sat in the window, looking out at the trees, leaves nicely turning to their Autumn hues, it was all in all, a good lunchtime! 

Tags: Rochdale coffee, cappuccino, Horse Carrs, Open Door Church, Slattery, 

Pizza Express - What a great coffee!

I have recently been frequenting a local Pizza Express as part of a promotion for a business which I have become involved with to make a bit of extra income.
The pizzas are amazing, the raspberry sorbet delightful, and the cappuccino awesome.
The taste is one of the nicest coffees I have ever tasted, the froth is perfect with a generous amount of chocolate sprinkled on top, and even the saucer is pretty cool!
There is only one complaint, and this was echoed by my three guests who also partook of the same drink, that it is too small! A slightly larger cup would have made it the perfect cappuccino.

Tags: coffee beans, ground coffee, extra income, home business, perfect cappuccino

Beans coffee shop in Oundle, Northamptonshire

During a recent stay with friends in Northamptonshire, we were treated to a little trip to Oundle, a very lovely small town which plays host to a boarding school.
We so enjoyed the town, with it's beautiful old buildings, and great selection of small shops. 
Having been to nearby Olney a couple of days before, and enjoyed an Americano coffee in the Beans coffee shop there, it seemed right to sample the cappuccino in the Beans coffee shop in Oundle.
It was a good choice. Great taste, nice and hot, just enough froth, and perfect texture, as you can see from the photos.
It has to be one of the most picturesque locations for a coffee shop, and to sit in the window enjoying the sun, while partaking of my favourite drink, was a very pleasant experience. I would definitely repeat it if I pass that way again (on a sunny day!).

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.