I've been away for the weekend (for those of you who dont know I'm a big Sunderland Football fan so travel up quite a lot and stay over) and without the ability to take my own coffee as the Hotel get a bit funny with me taking in my Simoneli oscar. So what to do.
I normally like to find out an independant, but the only choices I found where Greasy spoons with Kenco, in Durham. So I went for Cafe Nero as they normally arn't too bad. I ordered a double Espresso, I has the "are you sure know what espresso is" routine, politley I said yes. He ground tamped and pulled. Ready in 15 seconds, and he had the cheek to ask me If I knew what espresso was. So I start my free training course. Luckly the guy was really interested (and empty). By this time Sarah had drunk here Latte and was off out round Durham (embarassed by me talking coffee on our weekend away). It works out the guy has been given so little training. He soaks up the basic stuff I'm giving him (tamping doseing brushing of top of portafilter grind etc ...) and then we get a great shot, he tries agrees and I have to go, but left feeling I'd done my bit for coffee in the North East.
Any way the reaso for the psot was where do you go if your away from home and in need of a shot. Vote as you wish.
Another side issue I noticed they have some good bags of coffee to take home in Nero (Cachoeira for one), never new they sold good stuff.