"Breathe deep / Who knows how long this will last...?"
"Breathe deep / Who knows how long this will last...?"
Member since:27.08.2003
Reviews:46
Members who trust:67
Caffè Nero is a relatively young company, from having 5 coffee bars in London in 1997, a further 130 coffee bars opened up in 38 towns across the UK in 2003. The chain is working actively to become entirely 'fair trade'.
I have been visiting Caffè Nero branches since 1998 (in and outside London) – so you could say I know my Mocha when I drink it!
Branches open early (around 7am on weekdays) allowing you to take advantage of a breakfast of coffee, freshly baked croissant/pain au chocolat and fruit juices.
From 12:00 Noon they start serving hot pasta dishes (eg> spinach & ricotta ravioli or spaghetti & meatballs) and grilled panninis (eg> Ham, cheese and sundried tomato or Lemon Chicken),
as well as a selection of [toasted if preferred] sandwiches, salads and fresh soups, depending on the branch you visit.
There is also a regular stand-by of chilled and shelf-stored desserts (such as: cheesecake(s), chocolate cake, carrot cake, apple torte, or mousse/trifles) and muffins/pastries to tempt every taste bud.
The cost of a cup of tea or coffee starts at £1.30 (take out) £1.35 (drink in) while other beverages start at £0.90 and go up to £2.50. Herbal teas and hot chocolate are available too.
A ‘loyalty card’ system is offered (not compulsory): You get a “Caffè Nero” paper [credit-card sized] token with 9 white discs on it and each time you purchase a hot drink, a disc is stamped with a ‘Nero’ logo. Once all the discs are stamped, the 10th cup is free (no matter which size hot beverage you opt for). You can use your card in ANY branch you visit and there’s no restriction on how long it should take to obtain the 9 stamps.
Food costs roughly £2.50 upwards depending on what you buy. Expect to spend about £3.50 to £5.00 per person for a drink with a bite to eat (although prices vary in the case of promotions and whether you eat in or take away).
The ambience of each London (and non-London) Caffè Nero I’ve visited is similar:
The mahogany tables and chairs, the intimate-yet-comfy sofas (in larger branches), the sometimes-classical-sometimes-“chillout” background music and the complimentary use of filter water and plastic cups (nestled with sugar, spoons/stirrers and serviettes at a self-service counter away from the coffee order point) – all add to the charm of place. Staff are well trained and courteous – which is always a bonus in my book.
The option to meet for a quick caffeine ‘fix’ (drink-in or take-away) or a lingering coffee or two with a good friend or a good book are completely up to you (and highly recommended by me!): the atmosphere is laid-back and soothing no matter what.
The only negative thing I can think of is for non-smokers – none of the branches seem to have an effective ventilation system in place. Sometimes (depending on how busy the branch is) cigarette/cigar smoke can hang in the air like a thick curtain, making the experience ‘hazy’ to say the least, so be warned! But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a coffee ‘to go’…
The main types of hot coffee served are:
Espresso
Espresso Ristretto (A very short, intense espresso – an acquired taste)
Espresso Macchiato (An espresso with a dollop of milk foam on top)
Americano (A double espresso topped up with hot water)
Cappuccino
Caffè Latte (A double espresso topped up with steamed milk and a small amount of milk foam on top to seal the drink)
Mocha (Basically a cappuccino with chocolate added)
There are many variations on the above using syrups, skimmed milk rather than standard semi-skimmed etc. and you can even opt for soya milk (just let the ‘Barista’ [coffee maker?!] know your preference at the time of ordering).
COLD COFFEE DRINKS
Unlike most other coffee bars, Caffè Nero does not use pre-mixes or powders to prepare cold coffee drinks.
So for those hot summer days comin’ up, why not try:
An Iced Latte
(A double shot of espresso, ice cubes and milk. After 20 seconds of blending and you have a superb, refreshing coffee drink)
An Iced Mocha
(Very similar to above, less milky – more chocolatey!)
There are usually a few other options to choose from in the “iced” range, but these are seasonal and subject to availability (and often vary from branch to branch) – so it’s best to check what’s on offer if/when you visit.
If you’d like further information, contact the main Head Quarters below:
Caffè Nero Group PLC 3 Neal Street London WC2H 9PU
Tel: 0207 520 5150 Fax: 0207 379 0858
Email: ENQUIRIES@CAFFENERO.COM
Email: COMPLAINTS@CAFFENERO.COM
*** FINAL THOUGHTS: ***
As a non-smoker I still frequent Caffè Nero when I can – Why? Because the coffee draws me back again and again. Having a ‘Mocha Moment’ and a chat [or just watching the world go by] is very good for the heart, palate and soul I find!
‘Desidera il caffè in tensione!’ *
=====================Thank you for reading :)
* Long live coffee!
[PERSONAL NOTE : MackAttack (KirstyMack80) - the next one's on me mate!! ;D ]
Pictures of Café Nero (London)
NERO
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Love Cafe Nero. Cant get enough of it, and I think theres a group of people like us. Also love the loyalty card. Defo agree about the smokey environment. Have wirtten to head office, and they are reviewing their policy. In any case I think its gonna be illegal before long! Have an expresso on me! Dan.
gwlith_y_wawr 01.06.2004 17:46
i'm one of those people who just likes good old black coffee with nothing else so i never go in places like this... good review tho :-)
silver40 19.05.2004 23:32
I think Cafe Nero is better for food than Costas which has a very sparse choice in our area. I love a Mocha and an almond croisant. Tasty op. Dave ( ;-)##[
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Apr 29th, 2004
very helpful by (100%):
