Crema

Freshly ground Illy coffee? Ooohhhh… Remember when I used to use Chorlton Leisure Centre’s pool most mornings before I was overcome with fickleness and transferred my affections to the Aquatics Centre? Well, after my morning swim the red and white sign used to wink at me. ‘You’re tired,’ it’d whisper. ‘You know you want me. Succumb.’ Alright you bloody sexy coffee, fine then. And I did. In my relationship with the pool opposite Crema I visited this establishment a minimum of three times, and it got better with every visit. There are several elements that make Crema awesome. And not all of them involve food or drink. Let’s have a look shall we?
1) It’s got a bus stop right outside that gets you straight to Piccadilly. I mean, wow. I could order my coffee, and check out of the window to see if my bus was coming.
2) It’s little. I have a fondness for little places in the Manchester ‘burbs, and so should you.
3) It’s awesomely family-​friendly. I spotted many a baby during my visits there, all of whom were happy and well catered for. Manchester Road’s yummy mummies were spoiled. High chairs come as standard.
4) Hello cookies. They have many a cookie jar on the counter and the company they’ve bought in make great cookies. I was sold at the banoffee one, and I’d quite like to try the fig and pecan kind next…
5) Smoothies! I’ve not even tried these but they’re freshly made and I always appreciate the availability of a good smoothie. A couple of times I became something of an indie biz slut and would get my coffee from Crema then my smoothie at Amber when I vacated the bus on Oxford Road, but after Amber running out of ingredients a few times when I visited, I should probably get involved with those Crema smoothies.
6) Another thing I haven’t tried is the sandwiches, but the bread is fresh baked and they’re made to order. I mean, wow. It all looks amazing.
7) BREAKFAST POW.
Here’s my story. Out of the pool at 8am and disappointed as usual that most of Manchester doesn’t rise food-​wise until after 10am, I thought, I’ve just swam my little legs off, I want something disgustingly brilliant. I really fancy undoing all that good work. Hark, what did Crema have on their breakfast menu? Croissants. Hot, with fillings. There were four options, and I was instantly drawn to the mushroom and mozzarella. Let me tell you something about myself, I’m obsessed with putting savoury things onto hot croissants, ever since my parents used to make me egg and bacon croissants on our French holidays when I was little. I ordered it up, and to use one of my boyfriend’s favourite phrases about food, it was just stupid. It’s one of the most horrendously delicious things I’ve ever eaten in my life. Buttery soft croissant with a crispy outside, nice and warm, gooey mozzarella filling and beautifully cooked mushrooms, none of that weird rubberiness and excess mushroom juice. I’m sure my arteries, waistline and heart hated me for it, but it was so worth it. You have to try one of their hot croissants. They’re food porn to the max.
I might have to pop a Unilocal Breakfast Club on the rota for here. Who’s in? It’s ace!