Caught Short

Guest Spot

Claire Martinsen, Founder of Breckland Orchard Posh Pop sent in these signs spotted at The Studio meeting venue in Birmingham.

Sign of the Future

 Electric vehicle charging station at Ode Cafe, Ness Cove, Shaldon

Footwash & Dry

Garsons Pick Your Own, Farmshop and Cafe in Esher had a problem with customers washing their boots and feet after being out in the fields and tackled the problem with this fancy footwash station.

Toast Local

 Eden Project cafe in St Austell has serve-yourself toast and teacake station.

 Excellent use of local suppliers as you would expect.

Cafe of the Year 2013?

GreatCafes really likes the Ode Cafe in Ness Cove, Shaldon, South Devon.  Set up by Tim & Clare Bouget it is currently the highest rated sustainable cafe in the UK.

 Smart marketing, switched on to social media and a great view

 You enter directly into the kitchen area

 Wood burner and simple communal tabling provides an atmospheric backdrop.

More to follow.

St Austell Project

 The Eden Project's free-standing cafe in St Austell has loads of features and examples of best practice.

 Central open firepit plus discreet messages on every table top

Coat Hook Cutlery

Simple and quirky cutlery coat hooks at Eden Project St Austell Cafe

Corks on nails coat hooks at Ode Cafe, Shaldon

Traces of Nuts

Not sure this counter sign helps the sale of Coffee Walnut Cake and "This product may contain traces of nuts" is a classic howler.  See more howlers at http://pinterest.com/turpinsmale/cafe-howlers/

Deliciously Dorset

 Fabulous Leakers Bakery in Bridport with its Jurassic Foot bread and Cheese, Chilli and Beer bread.

 Cheese & Cider Bread

 Jurassic Slice wholemeal bar cake with caramel, choc chunks, apricots and dates

 Deliciously Dorset on the Jurassic coast

Found, Restored and Back Again

Elemental's store in Spitalfields has all the re-used, vintage furniture you never thought you would see again.

Touch of Class

Fortnum & Mason's cup of coffee comes with miniature cornetto in a special stand.

Square, embossed sugar lumps individually wrapped.

Cup of Char

 Entrepreneurial Emily Holmes has set up her Good & Proper Tea Co wagon.

Fancy Marco Uber water boiler allows exact temperature control.

Crispy Muffin

 Astons' English Muffins (coated in semolina) and giant Palmiers as seen at the London Coffee Festival

Queues Please

Howler at the Vatican Museum where boxed salads are in customer accessible shelves and queues are long. See more at http://pinterest.com/turpinsmale/cafe-howlers/

Cork the Bill

 Neat bill holder at ASK pizza restaurant

Out Now

Allegra's 2013 London Coffee Guide - "the definitive guide to the best independent coffee venues in London."

Bottles are Back

Guest Spot

Small retro milk bottle caught colleague Charles' eye at the Great North Hotel's bar off Kings Cross station. The somewhat conventional cup, saucer and teapot was noted.

Roast Your Own

The London Coffee Festival at the old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane was buzzing.  This small and portable coffee bean roasting machine (cost circa £10k) caught the eye.

Will we see more cafes differentiate themselves by flooding the senses with freshly-roast coffee?

 If you fancy roasting your own beans at home this micro-roaster might be for you.

Let Us Eat

 Nutella crepe bar at the Vatican Museum, Rome

Salad Days

• Hoisin Duck No Bread £3.75 and 144 calories
• Sesame Chicken & Noodle Salad £4.85 and 329 calories
• Smoked Salmon & Sweet Pickle Salad £4.50 and 481 calories
• Greens & Grains No Bread £3.75 and 293 calories 

Pies on Sticks

We had cakes on sticks several years ago - http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/cakes-on-sticks.html - now it's pies on sticks.  Carol Hilker's new book Pie Pops has the low down.

Ice Cream Cup Cakes

Greggs' ice cream cup cakes

Blaming Your Tools

Guest Spot

Ever wondered how the Italians prepare courgettes with a hole?!  You try stuffing a zucchini without the right implement.  This corer is the only way to do the job. Thanks Maurizio for finding one.

Clear Message

Clearly a fruit juice cafe (in Rome).