This is the latest place to open up on St. James's Street in Kemp Town and I thought I'd give it the once over.
As always it's the coffee the venue and the service that I'm looking at.
The coffee: 2
The coffee here is not going to get anyone excited but it's not the worst I've had by any means. Serving Illy Italian coffee, the cappuccino unfortunately comes in only one size which equates to a single shot and at £2.50 it's the price of a decent double elsewhere. There are half a dozen places within strolling distance that offer better value. It was presented rather sloppily in a white bowl with a coffee biscuit on the side which I thought was a nice if quaint touch. Chocolate was sparingly added without being requested and there was no sugar available until I asked for it. Way too much milk and way too little froth made this a bit of a lame latte but the flavour held up and there was a decent caffeine kick. Coffee is definitely not their strong point but in fairness to them they are not claiming that it is, this place is primarily a gelato bar.
The venue: 3
A small venue with space for about 20 covers inside and another 8 outside this place offers quite a lot. Situated on a corner plot it makes the most of the views with large windows on two sides one of which opens up. There is air conditioning and it's needed as the gelato fridges generate a lot of heat. Menu-wise they have very cleverly put together four of my favourite things gelato, coffee, cake and alcohol. Ok the coffee is not great but the other three more than make up for it. This is the perfect place for a Sunday afternoon ice-cream or a quick anytime treat and I can imagine it being popular with families and first daters alike. The cakes are I predict likely to become a real selling point, they looked simply delicious, although you don't seem to be able to buy them by the slice!! With a funky modern italian ice-cream parlour feel to the place complete with Paul Smith candy stripes and red and black leather seating it's a fresh and funky addition to the street and deserves to do well.
Service: 4
Perhaps it's the eagerness to please that new places often start off with or perhaps it's the fact that its a family run business whatever it is this places is welcoming and friendly and so much so that I'll forgive them serving up pretty uninspiring coffee. The owners do that very Italian of things; they've made work seem like a day out, their friends drop in, they have coffee they chat there is a lot of laughter and endless patience as customers languish over which gelato they are going to have next. On the downside the background music is a bit in your face but to be honest it kind of suits the venue. It's a relaxed place and well worth a visit, as long as your not just coming for the coffee.
Overall 9 out of 15
A small venue with space for about 20 covers inside and another 8 outside this place offers quite a lot. Situated on a corner plot it makes the most of the views with large windows on two sides one of which opens up. There is air conditioning and it's needed as the gelato fridges generate a lot of heat. Menu-wise they have very cleverly put together four of my favourite things gelato, coffee, cake and alcohol. Ok the coffee is not great but the other three more than make up for it. This is the perfect place for a Sunday afternoon ice-cream or a quick anytime treat and I can imagine it being popular with families and first daters alike. The cakes are I predict likely to become a real selling point, they looked simply delicious, although you don't seem to be able to buy them by the slice!! With a funky modern italian ice-cream parlour feel to the place complete with Paul Smith candy stripes and red and black leather seating it's a fresh and funky addition to the street and deserves to do well. 
Hello:
ReplyDeleteThis was just on the point of opening as we left Brighton and so this review is of great interest. It all sounds rather jolly and, at least in summer, it is good to have somewhere like this to go for ice cream. The coffee does sound, and look, a little sad but may, of course, improve in time.
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