Caffe Nero

I used to frequent the Caffe Nero in St John St regularly and when it is not busy, it is the best. With the added bonus of the out door tables and chairs — bathing sunshine after a harsh Winter — not bad at all. I have since sworn my allegiance to the larger Caffe Nero however, just around the corner, opposite the Castle in Duke St. Just a bit more spacious and when really quiet, extremely relaxing and a super escape to read the daily papers that are dispersed around for people to enjoy.
The coffee is excellent, food stuffs great. But, the biggest deal for me is the friendliness of the staff. As a foot note; I have yet to go into a Caffe Nero and strike a ‘rude’ one. I think that politeness and friendliness must be a pre-​requisite to being given a job with Nero. The staff take their work very seriously and if you are not happy with what has been poured, they oblige you another, no hesitation.
In other words, their customer skills are near to perfection.
If you are a rather sociable person like me, and like a friendly, personable smile awaiting you with your coffee, along with a bit of banter, Caffe Nero is the place. Whatever the management team are doing, they’re doing it right. So few places these days give polite service. It is almost like ‘they’ are doing you the favour, so drink up and shove off. It is wonderful to walk in somewhere and be made special, like ‘Cheers’ where everyone gets on, everyone remembers ‘your usual’ and the entire experience is one of joy — something a little bit softer to look forward to in today’s harsh world.

I met a friend on her lunch break in this little café (or should it be caffe?) today, and thought that it was a little bit unique in terms of how a Caffe Nero usually goes.
For starters, although we were there at one of the busiest times of day, the staff worked fluidly and without hiccup which meant that, although there were only three of them, the service was very quick and the queue eaten up fast.
The price isn’t that much different from a Starbucks, but they have a few different (of not really any more interesting) selections of food and drink. Although why they only allow one size of Chai Latte, I’ll never understand.
There are two problems with this Caffe Nero, however. Firstly, the doors. Once upon a time, in mid and snowy winter, they wouldn’t close properly. Now, they barely open, and everyone struggles just to get in a out. Secondly, there is no toilet actually on the premises. This café is technically part of House of Fraser, and therefore gets away with claiming their toilets as their own. So be warned; the loos are quite a way away through a never ending warren of fashion and fragrance.
But, they always give you two stamps on your coffee card. Winner.