CoffeeBeer >> Double Shot Buzz >> Chapter One
Back in November 2021, when I had returned to work on a minimal basis towards the end of lockdown, I reviewed the Chapter One coffee cart that set up each day in Weston Park selling espresso drinks and pastries. I couldn’t say much about it, as I only tasted a quickly made macchiato as they were packing up for the day, and it honestly wasn’t very good.
But two years later the family run van closed down, and they opened a cafe in Barber Road, which I first spotted from the bus I take to work. As I walk up and down Barber Road quite often, I watched the place being set up and organised; and when I finally checked out their menu online, I figured I would have to try Chapter One Coffee one of these days.
A few days ago I stopped in to try both a coffee and a sandwich before catching the bus to work.The only sandwiches that interested me on that particular day featured either pesto, which I had just eaten for the previous two nights, or smoked salmon, which I had a large supply of at home that needed to be eaten. So I decided instead to indulge my frequent craving for a poached egg and ordered a light breakfast instead.
The cafe consists of two rooms, so there is plenty of space for seating, and both have large windows which provide plenty of natural light. I took a seat at the window counter in the corner room, where I had a panoramic view of the car park and tax office across the road. After I ordered a Cortado I perused the food menu, which features a selection of massive English breakfasts, including veggie, along with other cooked breakfasts such as Eggs Benedict, Eggs Royale, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, a Chorizo hash bowl, avocado on toast, pancakes, sandwiches and melts, and homemade soup, and various extras including homemade hash browns, homemade black pudding, haloumi, and avocado whip. Aside from the usual espresso drinks they offer regular and herbal teas, shakes, lemonades, and hot chocolates.
My Cortado was pleasant, served with a heart-shaped rosette on the top, and accompanied by a demitasse spoon, which regular readers will know I consider essential if one wants to get the very last of their crema out of the bottom of the cup. My poached eggs on sourdough toast were very simple but pleasant as well, served with rocket garnish, and I had a grilled Portobello mushroom on the side, which I enjoyed even more than the egg. I have to admit my favourite part of the meal was the sourdough bread, which was really yummy and just the perfect texture. So I’ll have to try a sandwich next time, unless I’m hungry enough for some Eggs Royale.
Aside from the wonderful bread, which I’m guessing is from Depot Bakery (who in my humble opinion make the best croissants in the city), the pastries are from 4eyes Patisserie, the teas from Birdhouse Tea Company, the milk from Our Cow Molly, and the coffee from Smith Street Coffee, so all the ingredients are locally sourced.
I have to say that this is a welcome, positive addition to the neighbourhood, seeing as how so many shops and businesses have closed in the past few years. I was worried that another coffee shop would be a bit of overkill, considering The Hop Coffee is just down at the bottom of the road (approximately 0.2 mile, with a descent of 62 feet, according to Google Maps). But the Hop specialises in CBD-enhanced coffees, whereas Chapter One seems to specialise in cooked breakfasts, so I think they’re compatible roadmates. I mean, as I was walking to Chapter One I was ridiculously excited to see that somebody is going to reopen the nearby Laundry Point, so anything actually opening rather than closing is a good thing. Unless it’s yet another nail salon or vape shop, that is. Call me unrealistic, but I do think that food, drink, and clean clothes are a bit more essential than having jewel-encrusted fingernails and stinking up the atmosphere with raspberry and vanilla-scented mist.
I can't help wondering why Chapter One named their second venue Chapter One as well. I suppose it’s because the original Chapter One no longer exists, so why confuse people by naming it Chapter Two when there’s no longer any Chapter One to visit? Still, as a relatively voracious reader I don’t really like to hang out in Chapter One of a book when there are so many more chapters to follow. But that’s just me, I suppose.
Speaking of food, drink, and artificial atmospheres reminds me of a recent very short exchange with my Bay Area friend:
I just read in my science magazine about plans for the first permanent human settlement on the Moon. Developed by Hassell Studio in collaboration with the European Space Agency and Cranfield University, the settlement will contain recreational facilities for tourists, including a bar, and it will accommodate up to 144 people. And they’ve given it the very unfortunate name of the Lunar Master Plan. Yikes…I don’t think I’ll be packing my bags to go… I'm in agreement about not rushing to visit a LMP (one would have to pronounce it "lump," no?) on the moon. But if they gave it a more alluring name, like "Milton Keynes," the move might be worth considering.Related Links