Hi I'm Andy and as you can see I am a keen skydiver! I work in IT in Leeds and I hate bad service!!...
Hi I'm Andy and as you can see I am a keen skydiver! I work in IT in Leeds and I hate bad service!! Check my more details for some HTML stuff!!
Member since:11.01.2001
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If you're the sort of person who likes their coffee to be more like a froth of sterile, bubbly milk that tastes like it's been boiled too long, then Caffe Nero's definitely NOT the coffee shop for you.
However if you like your coffee to have a rounded and full taste, together with a full-on "kick" - you've come to the right place: Caffe Nero is just out of this world.
The magazine Tatler reviewed Nero saying "The best espresso this side of Milan" and Nero's are rightly proud of this remark, displaying it prominently on the blackboards that adorn all their stores.
In Manchester, Nero have 4 branches, and in Leeds they now have three, having opened two more recently, including one on Briggate that they bought from the defunct Coffee Republic and have turned into just about the best branch in the city - with switched on staff who a) remember you amoungst the thousands of other customers they serve (and also remember what coffee you like) and b) provide an excellent friendly atmosphere that's obviously appreciated - the shop's packed! They actually have over 100 stores UK wide now, mostly
in big cities and towns, and their formula seems to be proving successful - as whilst the market as a whole has expanded to the extent that other chains are suffering (Coffee Republic now closing some of the store estate it built up so rapidly, and Starbucks finding their stores are so close together that they are cannibalising their own trade) Nero's is proving profitable, successful, popular and is growing.
So what is behind this story of success?
Locations:
Nero has less expensive locations than some of the other chains, but nonetheless furnishes it's stores lavishly with tasteful dark wood cladding, comfortable leather furniture and subdued lighting. It is, in short, the perfect place to have a coffee.
Although Nero sports non-smoking areas, it goes against some other coffee bars by generally allowing its customers to smoke, which is a masterstroke: whether you smoke or not, you have to acknowledge that smokers like to have a cigarette with a cup of coffee or a chat with friends.
Chilled music always plays thoughout the store at a non-intrusive volume, starting with classical first thing in the morning and moving to a more chilled out vibe as the day progresses. The only real noise is from the coffee bar itself: the coffee grinding machine is really noisy! But hey, it does make great coffee!
People seem to feel at home in Nero, thinking nothing of moving furniture around to suit a chat with friends, or just sitting in the window and watching the world go by. Quality newspapers are provided free for customers to read.
Coffee:
Their greatest asset? Well, maybe - after their great staff anyway!
The coffee is rich, dark and full of flavour. The baristas are trained in house by Nero to ensure the right amount of coffee is used (and is compressed properly) to get the perfect cup for customers. This attention to detail really works, it's miles better than other shops (though, give Starbucks their due, their coffee in the UK has improved markedly over the past year - still not nearly as good as Nero in my opinion!)
The Americano has a real kick, the grande version (around £1.90) containing two shots and having a kick that will last you the rest of the day. For those with less time, the espresso is similarly powerful and satisfying.
Food:
They have a great selection, available from a refrigerated display inside the store. It will be cooked and toasted to order.
Ciabatta toasties - these are wonderful - the CN Club (turkey, tomato, pistrami) is fantastic and freshly toasted and served to your table. The meatball and mozzerella panini is rapidly becoming a similar classic! Other selections include a CN breakfast, goat's cheese and vegetarian sandwiches.
Pastries - the leek and chicken pastry is fabulous!
Soups: These are prepared freshly exclusively for Nero and are well worth a try- they change monthly and are served piping hot with a hunk of bread.
Sandwiches: Some interesting choices and some old favourites - where they excel is with the quantity of fillings - they are all very generous indeed!
Cakes: These are dangerously good, and vary from month to month. At the moment they have a vanilla cheesecake topped with rhubarb compote - this is just out of this world.
Snacks: Freshly made flapjack? Containing cranberries? Suits you, sir!
Over the summer, Nero serve a fantastic selection of cool drinks, include Frappe Latte (chilled coffee blended (and I MEAN BLENDED - there are no lumps!)with crushed ice topped with cream and an impressive selection of real fruit smoothies that are made fresh and contain nothing by fruit juice. The raspberry one is exceptional value at £2.40 - given that it's 100% fruit juice and generously sized.
Nero seem to be able to retain staff well, in an industry renowned for high staff turnover. If you visit regularly you find that the staff seldom change - and that the customers are regulars as well.
The place is busy (Manchester Picadilly is a good branch to visit - a large store, plenty of seating both inside and out) but you aren't made to feel at all rushed.... occasionally at busy times you have to wait for a table, but go in as a pair and you'll grab one
I recommend you visit a couple of times to understand the consistency of what they offer. The coffee isn't just great some of the time - it's always good. The staff are friendly all of the time.
The value is good, and the coffee is brilliant, not the watery or frothy tasteless stuff you find in some other chains.
In short - get down there now. Relax. Take off your shoes (I'm sure they won't mind)!
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Greatly written review. I like the sound of the chicken and leek pastry myself!
Ben
morgjgriff 14.06.2004 21:40
Mmm, the "Frappe Latte" and "Raspberry Smoothie" both sound delish. I'm a real coffee lover, my fave being a Cinnamon Spiced Mocha. There are few places that make them though. I shall have to check out this Nero place is ever I'm in Manchester. Great op! Got my tastebuds tantalised it has! lol Ciao for now - J
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Advantages: Great atmosphere, friendly service, tasty drinks and a range of snacks Disadvantages: Could be a tad expencive if you make a trip there on a regular basis
gothic_moon 02.03.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Caffe Nero
Advantages: Great atmosphere, friendly service, tasty drinks and a range of snacks Disadvantages: Could be a tad expencive if you make a trip there on a regular basis
gothic_moon 02.03.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Caffe Nero
Jul 23rd, 2003
(Mar 5th, 2005)
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