Cafe & coffee

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Mick F
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by Mick F »

We eat Macdonalds?
Not me, so it's not WE.
It must be THEY. :wink:

R2
You're right, if we didn't milk cows, there would be no milk to drink.
The point I made was the fact that there are many animals other than humans who drink milk. Wild ones too. Make it available, and they will consume it.
Mick F. Cornwall
Psamathe
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by Psamathe »

Mick F wrote:We eat Macdonalds?
Not me, so it's not WE.
It must be THEY. :wink:

As a species ...
I used to have a McDonalds every few years. I'd have one for some (bad) reason, then remember why I hate them. And after a few years the memory must fade and a set of circumstances and I find myself in one again ... after eating I remember why I hate them ... etc. But not had one for over 15 years now (last one must have been really bad !!).

Ian
mrjemm
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by mrjemm »

Back to coffee...

For me, I'd rather have a bad filter coffee than a bad espresso based coffee, and am really not a fan of Americano as a replacement. Many places when you ask for a filter coffee they'd automatically make an Am for you, explaining it's the same... it most definately is not. No depth and just plain wrong to me. Bad espresso is just nasty, and usually has less flavour, while bad filter is also nasty, but at least has some kick. I tend to live on bad filter coffee at work though, so am used to it. Now that every little cafe in every corner of the country has an ex(s)presso machine (ahem) we are punished by weak'n nasty brown water, or burnt nastiness.

On the other hand though, even the boutiquey/artisan poncy places are ruining coffee now with their take on what coffee should taste like, i.e. what is 'on trend' right now (as far as I am aware), which is bleedin' 'floral' delicate flavour, more like tea... Urgh. Reading in the Guardian, Jay Rayner has the same opinion, which is quite amusing. Unfortunately, in Lancaster, what have long been the big name of good coffee there, Atkinsons (i.e. The Hall and Music Room), are drawn to this, and so their well made coffee is sadly tending towards this fashion, and ultimately not giving me the satisfaction. Which is a real big shame- the best coffee I have ever tasted was made with a Syphon, and The Hall has these... but not to my taste. Oh my that 1st Syphon back in my memory, wow. It's been a few years, but some of the best coffee I've had (to my taste) was in Monmouth, Borough Market, from their one cup filters. No idea if they're still doing this, but imagine so.

I am so disappointed with most coffee shops now, I tend to drink hot chocolate in many of them! And that can be terrible too. I was so pleased when Costa (my choice of the chains) started making cortado, which I've essentially been ordering for years (i.e. "double espresso and milk on the side please..." and mix myself) having enjoyed in Spain (and Poland IIRC), but they are of course limited by the 'baristas' and their interpretation/training, and often tend to be too milky, more like a mini latte, ugh.

And just to insult good coffee, I actually prefer to use whitener to milk. Yup, I really did admit that. :oops:
Tonyf33
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by Tonyf33 »

I can't believe people are whinging about paying a couple of pounds for a cup of coffee, it's like they expect a vendor to just sell it for the cost price and completely ignore all other costs and that they are there just to provide drinks/food for them and not be there to actually make a living for their investment/efforts.
Try going into a bike shop and telling them they should be selling the parts and bikes at cost price.. :lol:

If you don't like the price/standard go elsewhere, if not take your own, that's a simple choice, moaning on a forum isn't in any way going to resolve your issues.

However, IF you want something wet, warm and sweet at a stingy price then Weatherspoon's do filter coffee, in fact they used to do free refills for the paltry sum of 79p up until 2pm. Don't know if that still applies but it was available earlier this year. They also sell Expresso/Latte etc, I've had one whence in Bridlington last year and it tasted okay to me and I grind my own beans.
reohn2
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by reohn2 »

mrjemm wrote:Back to coffee...

Monsooned Malabar:- http://www.whittard.co.uk/coffee/type/c ... oCAUTw_wcB
:)
Sainsbury's used to sell it but stopped abruptly :? ,I complained bitterly(sorry)but to no avail :(

I've just bought some Indes Malabar in Saumur in a nice little coffee specialist shop where you can try it first.
We also bought some 'Old Mans' tea(which was apt)that has a lovely licorice suggestion of taste to it :)

Costa's double shot Americano sans milk(of course) is strong enough,and tastes good to me :)

And just to insult good coffee, I actually prefer to use whitener to milk. Yup, I really did admit that. :oops:

How could you! :|
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al_yrpal
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by al_yrpal »

Weatherspoons seems to thrive on providing reasonable pub food, beverages and drinks at much better prices than can be found in the rip off coffee chains. The question is, why isn't there lots of other places doing the same sort of thing? I make no apologies for being careful with money. Saving pence here and there brings the reward of being able to afford some luxuries that you really like.

Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
julianm
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by julianm »

I do like a nice cup of coffee. Out on my bike I like one to keep me going. The hype of the Yank companies & their sugar foam & flavour laden beverages makes me laugh, but not as much as this little clip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00h4sny
Please spend 3.08 mins to watch!
LondonBikeCommuter
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by LondonBikeCommuter »

al_yrpal wrote:Weatherspoons seems to thrive on providing reasonable pub food, beverages and drinks at much better prices than can be found in the rip off coffee chains.


Sorry if this comes across as argumentative because its not meant to be but Wethersppon's is a truly awful place. The kitchen equipment consists of microwaves, deep fat fryers and not much else. Your guaranteed a good half inch (if your lucky) head on your pint of CIDER and at least double the head of any other local pub on your drink. Football pitch sized venues filled from opening time by men in there 50's nursing a single pint of 'whatever's cheapest'

Give me a 'rip-off' coffee chain any day!

My last visit cost me £1.30 for a pretty decent Fair Trade coffee with free refill and super fast wifi, comfy armchair and loyalty bonus scheme for a free whatever you want drink every 12 purchases.
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Si
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by Si »

Depends on your local weatherspoons, they vary greatly. Mine has recently won awards for its real ale and for its atmosphere, etc. It has a very friendly, 'local' feel. It is frequented by a good cross section of the community. Most importantly, no flipping music blaring out. Yes, the food is a bit reheated-boxes, but the local coffee shop's isn't much better and costs twice as much. On the other hand, the next nearest 'spoon is a right dive, full of winos and druggies.
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Mick F
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by Mick F »

Si wrote:Depends on your local weatherspoons, they vary greatly.
Beat me to it!
I was going to say the self same thing.

They are only franchises as far as I know. Quality of service and product will vary from one premises and another.

We were in the Plymouth one recently for a couple of beers (using 50p off vouchers from CAMRA) and a meal each. Very cheap indeed but not poor quality. We got what we expected and had no complaints whatsoever, and I'm not backwards in coming forwards with any adverse comments.
Mick F. Cornwall
Lucyhan
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by Lucyhan »

I feel like Martin Lewis here - Get yourselves down to Waitrose and apply for a 'my waitrose' card. This entitles you to a free, freshly roasted coffee (or tea) every day. Many Waitrose stores have coffee shops where you can sit and enjoy your free coffee in a proper cup and saucer.

There you go problem solved, good coffee and no charge! :D
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RickH
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by RickH »

Lucyhan wrote:I feel like Martin Lewis here - Get yourselves down to Waitrose and apply for a 'my waitrose' card. This entitles you to a free, freshly roasted coffee (or tea) every day. Many Waitrose stores have coffee shops where you can sit and enjoy your free coffee in a proper cup and saucer.

There you go problem solved, good coffee and no charge! :D

Apart from the fact that none of their stores, at least in this neck of the woods, are near anywhere I would generally want to cycle!

Rick.
Former member of the Cult of the Polystyrene Head Carbuncle.
The Mechanic
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by The Mechanic »

I like Starbucks and Costa coffee. I don't see how they are a rip off. For £2.65 you get a very large skinny wet latte (pronounced Lartay by my D-in-L) that lasts the whole day. Not literally but you don't need another one soon. That compares very favourably to me to to the £2.50 cup of coffee in the local NT cafe. The only place I have seen a cup for under £2 is in a burger van on the local trading estate.

As for the tax issue, blame the government for allowing the loopholes to exist. The main problem here is that the big companies have better tax lawyers than HMRC so it is no contest from the start.
Cancer changes your outlook on life. Change yours before it changes you.
Postboxer
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by Postboxer »

Or sometimes the same lawyers.
reohn2
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Re: Cafe & coffee

Post by reohn2 »

RickH wrote:Apart from the fact that none of their stores, at least in this neck of the woods, are near anywhere I would generally want to cycle!

Rick.


Are there any in our neck of the woods,I can't say I know of any.

PS,I've just been reliably informed there's one in Knutsford and another in Sandbach :?
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