Cosy Cafés

Cosy Cafés has moved!!

2008-01-01T23:20:30Z

Dear readers,

First of all, happy new year.

Second of all, Cosy Cafés has moved. It is now (more appropriately) called Cosy Coffee Shops, and can be found at...

www.cosycoffeeshops.co.uk

So don't have a collective heart attack, I'm still blogging. Just in a different place.

No more entries will be posted at www.cosycafes.com

]]> I decided to re-jig things because a cafe isn't really the same as a coffee shop (aka coffee house), and this blog is really about the latter. I'm also hoping maybe possibly to publish the blog in book form one day, so I thought I would re-focus my efforts at this appropriate time (i.e. while I still only have one reader, a dachshund named Colin).

I will probably leave the information here for a while longer, but remember you're better off reading it at the new site!! There will be a few extra things there as well... I'm particularly fond of the custom made drawing (thanks to the lovely Abi McLean for that).

Hope to "see you" at www.cosycoffeeshops.co.uk. Your comments on the change will be welcome as always.

Tom, 1 January 2008

Kaffeccinos, Newcastle Upon Tyne

2007-11-10T11:30:00Z

This bustling place is a fair trade, independent coffee house in the centre of Newcastle.

]]> The menu and posters describe Kaffeccinos as "Newcastle's Premier Independent Coffee House". This should give a hint of the strange blend of business-like bravado (not unlike Starbucks) and its homely "local roots".

I suppose this means it's just an old fashioned coffee house trying to keep up with the chains. And while it does sacrifice a little character to get there, it retains a friendly atmosphere and a distinct feel. The walls are jam packed with art and there are seats everywhere, including comfy sofas and stools by the windows for watching passers-by.

There is lots (and lots) of food available in this busy place but coffee is top of the menu, and with all those seats you shouldn't have trouble settling down for a quiet mug or two. There are cakes, muffins and so on as well. It has counter service.

Kaffeccinos isn't quaint, but it still has plenty of the things I like to see in a coffee house. It's one of the best (or maybe the best... I haven't decided yet) in Newcastle.

Willi's Coffee Shop, Jesmond, Newcastle - I didn't get a chance to visit Willi's but it looks like a good place for a coffee. If anyone would like to comment on it, please feel free.

Kaffeccinos
54-56 Grainger St.
Newcastle
NE1 5JG

Open Sundays.

www.kaffeccinos.co.uk

Circles Café, York

2007-10-13T14:15:00Z

This coffee house feels very "York"... it's small and cosy and it's shoved into a bridge over the Ouse. It's my second-favourite place to drink coffee in this lovely city.

]]> Circles Café is relatively new and as such is very clean and well decorated. In fact, the interior is beautiful... I don't think that's an overstatement. Or perhaps it is, but either way it's very lovely indeed.

Despite being small every inch is used and there are interesting little nooks and crannies. For example, a tiny little room and a windy staircase down to a (very pleasant) toilet. Which reminds me: only the more mobile of us would be able to climb down to these facilities. There's also an outdoor terrace and river views from some angles.

The service (it's waitress service -- just sit down and they'll come to you) is very friendly, and the coffee selection is good. The coffee itself is all fairtrade. There are also plenty of delicious cakes which tend to come in generous portions. There is a lunch menu, but this place doesn't seem to get too busy over lunchtime, so it's probably ok to have just a coffee at any hour.

This is very highly recommended. Oh, and if you're wondering what my favourite coffee house is in York (if this one is second) it's Coffee Culture on Goodramgate.

Circles Café
Lendal Bridge
York

Arabes Que, Lyon, France

2007-09-12T14:30:00Z

Another entry from Lyon. This might not be hugely relevant to coffee lovers in the North of England, but for me at least I can indulge in nostalgia.

]]>

This café is in Vieux Lyon (Lyon's old town). It's a mix of café and florist, in many different ways. For a start, there are lots of flowers. Obvious really. But also there are flower-motifed mugs, petals in fruit juice, drinks made from (for example) orange and jasmin, and flower-shaped saucers. It's very much a themed coffee house, which I now realise is a simple and brilliant concept sadly lacking in England.

The menu is large and varied, though unfortunately it lacks simple coffees such as espresso and popular soft drinks such as Orangina (oh how I love Orangina). But the honeycomb-tinted Cappuccino I had was delicious, as was the "sirorps aux fleurs" (essentially, tea with flowers). It's also reasonably priced and friendly, and in an ideal spot at the foot of the furnicular. -----

For a terribly brief and ill-informed insight into both France and Lyon, see the previous entry here: http://www.cosycafes.com/2007/09/a_chacun_sa_tasse_lyon_france.html.

Arabes Que
Avenue du Doyenne
Vieux Lyon
Lyon
France

A Chacun sa Tasse, Lyon, France

2007-09-10T11:00:00Z

Ok, clearly I've just been to Lyon on holiday. And now this is my self-indulgent excuse to write about French coffee houses.

]]>

Don't take this sentence literally, but: France wrote the book on café culture. It's miles away from Britain (about 21 miles), and it's miles away in terms of the number of places to sit with a coffee and watch the world pass by.

As for Lyon, it's France's 3rd largest city behind Paris and Marseille. It's equivallent in England is Leeds, and again it's miles away. By comparison, Lyon is refreshingly relaxed and quiet. The nightlife is predominantly food-based (Lyon is the cuisine capital of France), perhaps except for the Old Town which can get a bit rowdy. Oh, that's because of the foreign students that hang around there (my sister being one of them). All this valuable insight from just a 5 day trip... Lonely Planet here I come.

And as for the café in question, it's not in the most charming of spots. But to make up for it there is an incredible range of international teas and coffees. Pages and pages of them in fact, from far flung corners of the world such as India and Brazil. For a good coffee, try the "maison mélange", a house mix. It's also very friendly, very charming, full of very nice tables (e.g. full of cinnamon sticks) and it's very highly recommended.

A Chacun sa Tasse
Corner of Rue du Griffon, Rue Romarin and Place Croix Paquet
North of Hotel de Ville
Lyon
France

Brambles Coffee Shop, Shincliffe

2007-08-27T14:00:00Z

Brambles is a recent addition to the Poplar Tree Garden Centre in Shincliffe. If you're a fan of both horticulture and café culture, this is probably the place for you.

]]> The downside is that you have to get to Shincliffe (about a mile south east of Durham) and then work your way through the garden centre to get a nice cuppa. In truth, because of this awkward location, it's probably not worth going to just for a coffee. However, if you're also in need of a begonia or two, why not give it a go? I am reliably informed that there is more to do in Shincliffe than might initially meet the eye, such as picnics and riverside walks.

It's quite swish and clean, and has only been around since February 2006. There is much greenery to please roaming eyes, due of course to the garden centre. In truth, like so many would-be coffee-houses, it's verging on what would normally be titled a tea room. But there are plenty of coffee options and it can justify its "coffee house" label.

The most important thing is it's a nice place to sit in peace and quiet.... unless there are unruly youngsters around. It's not too long since those days when I was dragged round garden centres with my parents, so I can appreciate the mind-numbing boredam exprienced by nippers who are probably twenty years off having a garden of their own. And therefore I don't begrudge them a tantrum or two. Can't someone make a garden centre that appeals to the under 10s?

But nippers aside, I would recommend Brambles. The cappuccinos are nice, if you need more than coffee then there's plenty of food, they've done the place up nicely, and even though it can get busy there's plenty of space (it seats 100).

Brambles Coffee Shop
Poplar Tree Garden Centre
Shincliffe
nr Durham

Open
Mon - Fri: 10 - 5
Sat: 10 - 4.30
Sun: 10.30 - 4

http://www.bramblescoffeeshop.co.uk/

The Stables Coffee Shop, Holy Island

2007-08-26T17:30:00Z

This is a great coffee house which we stumbled upon on Lindisfarne, aka Holy Island. It's heartening that something like this can exist on such a tiny island (and one which is cut off by tides twice-daily to boot).

]]> Holy Island is a magical place which is highly recommended. It's at it's best with smaller crowds, perhaps at sunset or, even better, sunrise. But beware the tides, which cover the only way in and out for about 10 hours every day. Check the tide tables here: http://www.northumberlandlife.org/holy-island/default.asp.

As a result of the varying tide times, Stables Coffee Shop sometimes stays open for an extra half hour or so after its usual closing time of 5pm. We popped in at about 5.30pm, just after the causeway had re-opened for the evening.

The decor is very pleasant, with mosaic tables, comfy chairs and a nicely plumped old sofa.

There is a courtyard for use on those rare days of clement Northumberland weather. At one point we were joined by a bird or two. It's a compliment to the place that it appeals to feathered, as well as the usual human, customers.

The coffee is nice, the prices are reasonable and the service is friendly. This is an ideal place for sipping coffee in peace on Lindisfarne.

Elm Tree Coffee House, Rothbury

2007-08-25T16:00:00Z

Elm Tree is a converted house, with very little conversion, and it's all the better for it.

]]> Shame the interior is more tea room than coffee house, but at least coffee is top of the menu. The coffee comes in glasses, which I'm never convinced is a good idea.

There is counter service and the coffee is poured while you stand there... not the most efficient system, or the most appealing for those with aching feet (mine were particularly painful, having walked a grueling 20 metres from the comfort of the car). There are very tasty-looking cakes on offer.

It's a pleasant place to sip coffee in peace, although it is small so might fill up around lunchtimes.

High Street
Rothbury
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE65 7TE

Beckindales Continental Café, Hawes

2007-08-19T12:15:00Z

Beckindales is a large café in the Yorkshire Dales; the closest thing you'll get to a coffee house in this most tea-roomy corner of the world.

]]> The interior is rather like a tea room, but everything else says coffee house. The coffee selection is extensive and well described, and includes such untypical entries as "baby cino" (hot frothed milk dusted with chocolate). The coffee I tried was good, and the belgian hot chocolate looked tempting.

The menu, which is black and white and read all over, contains pages of taxing riddles to remind patrons like me of our general stupidity, at least when it comes to riddles.

It's a good place to unwind after a heavy day's cheese shopping in Hawes and there's plenty of space for sipping coffee in peace.

Beckindales Continental Cafe
Burtersett Road
Hawes
North Yorkshire
DL8 3NP

Sip Coffee, Richmond

2007-08-18T15:00:00Z

This is a does-what-it-says-on-the-tin sort of café. It's small and straight-forward, and a very good place to sip coffee in Richmond.

]]> The walls are coffee-coloured to get you in the mood and the mugs have been painted specially for Sip (a nice touch). There are newspapers available, a couple of comfy leather chairs by the window and local art on the walls.

The service is friendly, and it's in a convenient spot between the tourist information and the market place. As well as hot drinks there is a tempting choice of sweet things.

It may be small but it's perfectly formed.

18 King Street
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4HP

Spill The Beans, Douglas

2007-07-17T09:30:00Z

A great coffee house which has the rare distinction of lying at the centre of the British Isles whilst being outside the United Kingdom..... it must be on the Isle of Man.

]]> The Isle of Man is a tax haven and financial centre. It is also a bit of an undiscovered backwater with unspoilt rural scenes and beautiful villages. At just 15 miles wide and 30 miles long you're never far from Douglas (its capital) so there is no excuse for avoiding Spill the Beans.

It feels like a perfect spot for a quiet breakfast, catering for all those busy bees before they head off to head office. But it is also ideal for holiday-makers visiting at any time of day (I was one of these).

There is a good selection of coffee, which comes in "bowls" if requested. I ordered one of these and it filled me up good and proper. It's hard to resist the juice-drippingly tempting array of breakfast pastries, cookies, etc, which are best enjoyed on a sofa in the quiet downstairs room. It is well decked-out, with big plants and colourful art.

This is a friendly spot, ideal for relaxed sipping of coffee. It comes highly recommended for anyone on this beautiful island.

Spill The Beans
1 Market Hill
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 2BF

Tel: 01624 614167

Mr Moo's, Skipsea

2007-07-07T14:00:00Z

For a haven of indulgence by the coast, I recommend Mr Moo's Ice Cream Parlour and Coffee Shop. No cows died in the making of these sundaes.

]]> This large outbuilding on Southfield House Farm has generous seating inside and out. It's a bustling place but usually there's space to sit with just a nice coffee in hand.

Of course, it is ice cream that is the real attraction. They make it on the farm, using milk from their own herd of Fresians, and it tastes absolutely delicious. The range of sundaes and flavours is a sight to behold; just two examples are "cow-pat" and "black forest moo".

There are also plenty of tasty-looking cakes available, and various other food and drink options. Not to mention a raft of cow-related goodies for sale.

Mr Moo's is a favourite for everyone from families to bikers. If you're in the Skipsea area and feeling a bit too thin, it shouldn't be missed.

Mr Moo's Ice Cream Parlour and Coffee Shop
Southfield House Farm
Hornsea Road
Skipsea
Driffield
East Yorkshire
YO25 8SY

Tel: 01262 469829
Fax: 01262 468209

Web site: http://www.mrmoos.co.uk/

Bradleys Coffee Shop, Market Weighton

2007-06-30T14:00:00Z

Bradleys (lack of apostrophe intentional) is a licenced coffee house in Market Weighton, about half way between Hull and York.

]]> Hot drinks are first of the menu. There are plenty of chairs, including a sofa or two, so it caters for those hoping to relax with just a coffee for company. If you're feeling peckish as well, there is food of the simple and cheap variety.

Truth be known and told, the cafetiere coffee I had was as bad as it could possibly be... weak, and with unusual black bits floating around. I didn't try anything from the machine; perhaps that would have been a better bet.

The decor is swish, but not seen in its best light on this particular rainy Saturday. Bradleys is a wireless internet hotspot.

Bradleys Coffee Shop and Wine Bar
13 High Street
Market Weighton
York
YO43 3AQ

Tel. 01430 873240

Manna Coffee, Cottingham

2007-05-19T11:00:00Z

This church-run coffee house is one of the nicest spots in the region for a relaxing cuppa.

]]> It was intiated by Christ Church, Cottingham, with the aim of creating "a place in the community where people can gather to socialise, relax or simply enjoy a good cup of coffee" (according to the website). As intended, the environment is spacious and friendly.

There is plenty of coffee (all of which is fair trade), milkshakes, fresh pastries, cakes and other food options. There are comfy sofas and an outdoor terrace for the odd sunny Humberside day, so there is plenty of space to sit and relax with a cappuccino.

A parent and child room with toys is an excellent touch, and the first one I've seen in a coffee house. There are also plenty of fair trade products on sale. All in all, it's a thoroughly cosy café and highly recommended.

Manna Coffee,
76 & 80 King Street (opposite the Market Green),
Cottingham,
Kingston upon Hull.

Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 9.00am - 5.30pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays: Closed

For plenty more photos and details visit the Manna Coffee website: http://www.mannacoffee.org.uk

Coffee Moco, Sheffield

2007-05-13T12:30:00Z

A petite café near Sheffield City Centre, with plenty of coffee and food.

]]> It has a strange mix of "greasy spoon" condiments and modern espresso bar fittings, and I found it a little... confusing.

There are acoustic nights at regular intervals, seeing an increasing number of local acts squeeze themselves onto the tiny stage area.

The cube seats aren't especially comfortable, and it's too small to serve as a relaxing hideaway. But even if it's not a great "Cosy Cafés" coffee house, it's still a good place to head to with friends for a quick natter and a pick-me-up. It's popular locally and is open in the evenings.

Coffee Moco
202 West Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S1 4EU

Review on Double Shot Buzz from 2003: http://www.coffeebeer.co.uk/doubleshot/coffeemoco_mwords.html