Operatic Coffee

coffee on a table

Needing a break in Oxford, I was on the look out for a place for coffee, so I could catch up with emails and the like.

Around Walton Street and up Little Clarendon Street there are various places for coffee. I did quite like the look of the Opera Cafe on Walton Street. I looked inside, and it looked busy, then I noticed they had (what at the time I thought was) a back room. The place had a rustic feel to it.

I went in and ordered my coffee, and they said to take a seat. They had a really nice choice of cakes and pastries, and I will say I was quite tempted.

I went into the “back room” which was actually a covered back garden; despite being December it wasn’t too chilly, and they had blankets if I did get cold.

It was an excellent coffee and I got a lot done, sat there working away and drinking coffee.

I was tempted to stay for another coffee, but I was just starting to feel the chill. So with a little disappointment I left.

Flat White at the Airport

Bristol Airport

When visiting the airport at Bristol, I often find that I have time to kill. My first choice for a coffee is The Cabin, in the main as it is table service, and they also serve their coffee in proper china cups. Price wise their prices are very similar to the other coffee places at the airport.

I took a seat and I ordered a flat white.

The coffee was made promptly, and served to me at my table.

It was a nice coffee and helped to pass the time before boarding.

A Flat White at Bistrot Pierre

runners on a beach

I was watching the Christmas Cracker 10K on Weston beach and as the runners headed off to Uphill I headed off for coffee.

I went to the Brunello Lounge first. However, they were packed, so I went to Bistrot Pierre instead. They were busy, so popped out to see the runners run pass the pier again. I then headed back to Bistrot Pierre for a flat white.

The rush had calmed down, so I ordered a flat white and took a seat. I always like it when that happens, makes the coffee a little more special.

This was a nice looking flat white and tasted great. Just what I needed after standing out in the cold on the beach.

Flat White at Cafe Society

I have been meaning to visit Cafe Society in Bristol on Baldwin Street for a while now, but never really had the opportunity. When I have walked past it was usually as I was on my way to another place, or I had just had a coffee somewhere else.

So when in town one Saturday and walking past, I decided I would go in for a coffee. The place was busy but there were seats available. There was no queue, so I went to the counter and ordered my coffee, a flat white. Having said that I was drinking in, the barista said to take a seat and they would bring my coffee to me.

I took a seat. I noticed that for some of their seats they had a no laptop rule which was interesting. If you did want to use your laptop, there were shared tables available. The rule was enforced, as I did see someone being asked to move to a laptop table.

My flat white arrived. It looked fantastic.

I really enjoyed the coffee and I think I will certainly visit Cafe Society again.

Nice Cortado

It was a lovely sunny afternoon, so I headed to Portishead for a walk around the marina.

I decided to go for coffee, my first choice was Mokoko Coffee & Bakery, however though the queue wasn’t too long, there appeared to be a lot of people waiting for their coffee. So I left and headed to Costa, which was a lot less busy.

I ordered a Cortado and didn’t have to wait long before it was ready.

It was a nice coffee.

Flat White at the Cabin

When visiting the airport at Bristol, I often find that I have time to kill. My first choice for a coffee is The Cabin, in the main as it is table service, and they also serve their coffee in proper china cups. Price wise their prices are very similar to the other coffee places at the airport.

I took a seat and initially I looked over the menu, but it was too late for breakfast and too early for lunch. So I ordered a flat white.

The coffee was made promptly, and served to me at my table.

It wasn’t an outstanding flat white, but I enjoyed it as I waited for my flight.

Pretentious Cortado

I went out for a walk and decided to try the new coffee place on Victoria Street, in Bristol. It is called Origin. I wanted to try it, partly as it was new, and partly as that as I was using their app, I could get a free coffee.

Inside the clean, bright minimalist space, there was the serving counter and some tables and chairs. Not so sure about the environment. I think it needs some more tables and chairs. 

The choice of pastries was limited but the barista did say that would expand at a later date.

I ordered a Cortado. I wasn’t hungry, so didn’t order anything to eat. I took a seat and they bought my coffee over.

It was a beautifully made Cortado, in a lovely ceramic cup. It was a little pretentious, but I kind of expected this kind of coffee when I walked in.

It was a nice coffee, not my favourite flavour of coffee, but I enjoyed it. I certainly would consider going again.

Quick Cortado

cup of coffee

Sometimes I feel a flat white can be a bit rich for me, I do like having a Cortado. Reminds me of the flat white coffee I had in Auckland back when I visited there in 2009.

As it is a smaller coffee , this makes it a great choice when making a quick break on a journey. I had this Cortado at the Costa at Ferrybridge Services. It was actually quite good. I have in the past had some poor coffee experiences at motorway services, so it was nice to have a decent coffee, while I took a break.

Skinny Flat White

coffee

Taking advantage of a special offer, I had a very nice skinny flat white from the Caffe Nero at the top of Union Street in Bristol.

The service was excellent, and I really enjoyed the coffee.

Spicer & Cole Flat White

Having missed out on lunch, I headed out for a walk and possibly coffee. I ended up at Spicer & Cole and ordered a flat white to drink in.

I was asked to take a seat and when my coffee was done they brought it over to me.

flat white

This was an excellently made coffee and I really enjoyed sitting down, doing some working, watching the world go by and drinking coffee.