java2
First part here.
Yesterday morning: Pret, Trafalgar square. 1 pound 25 pence for similar size (as far as I could tell - I left the empty cup at work so I can't check now). Plus: there's only one size, and only one price, for "Coffee: filter or americano". Unfortunately, there also seems to be one kind of coffee, as I asked for an americano (espresso topped with hot water) and while I was looking for my money it was ready suspiciously quickly. Coffee's good though, smooth and sweet. Plus, I read on the cup, Pret weighs its cappuccinos, to make sure that there's the correct quantity of air in them. Velvety ones for the customer, bad ones for the sink.
Yesterday lunchtime, Starbucks, the Strand. 1 pound 75 for a "Grande" (read: "Medium" - which at 16 fl oz is larger than all the 12 oz coffees I had so far this week. Totally unimpressed by the coffee quality. A bit flustered by being served by three different people (lady took my order and cashed in, younger lady wrote "W" for white on cup and pushed button on machine, gentleman poured milk in and put cup on counter in front of me). Plus: several shakers next to the straws, napkins and sugar counter mean you can add chocolate powder, cinnamon, vanilla and ginger to your coffee. Perhaps best not all at the same time.
To be continued…
Thursday 21 October 2004 at 2:16 pm
I'm enjoying your coffee trials. Like you, I enjoy the search for a decent cuppa. Like you, I find Pret's quite acceptable.
But unlike you, I wouldn't use a bleedin' straw for drinking it - what's that abaht?
I say go try Carluccio's Napoli blend, and your search will end. In the Canary Wharf branch, they know me and my likes (no, they haven't seen my gaydar profile!). Even if there are loads of people queueing for over-priced antipasti, they'll start doing my Americano as soon as they spot me.
Thursday 21 October 2004 at 9:32 pm
Why do I suspect you won't be following this up with a similar report about tea?
Thursday 21 October 2004 at 9:33 pm
David, I'm clicking and clicking on the words 'my gaydar profile', but your link just won't open up…
Friday 22 October 2004 at 3:08 pm
I'd have to agree with David.
After 2yrs in London from Australia, I'd lowered my coffee expectations to that of most of the locals when i started working over at Canary Wharf and found Carluccios. Fully recommended.