Coconut Water

Coconut water is going mainstream with Pret and of course you read about it on this blog months back  http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/coconuts-cucumbers-coobo.html

Small Cafe:Great Offer

 Tempting food display in the tiny Attendant cafe.

Fast Selling Frappes

When McDonalds introduces Iced Fruit Smoothies and Frappes we should pay attention.  Costa were telling me that an astonishing 40% of their sales can be iced drinks.  How many such drinks do you offer?

Quirky Corporate

Milburns, part of global foodservice company Compass, is able to endorse the quirky at their MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) cafe in Manchester.  Lego condiment rack makes the kids smile and crisps are displayed in cutaway gas cylinders.  Bravo.

Growing Cycle Sales

The Garden Museum Cafe at Lambeth encourages the cyclists (and Boris Bikers) with this cycle stand.

Local Produce

When you run the catering at gardens linked to Kew Gardens and the National Trust you need to get the local sourcing right.

   Ampersand make a good job at Wakehurst.

Garden Centre Quirky

Guest Spot

Ian Boardman sends in this photo from Hilltop Garden Centre's cafe at Ramsden, Witney.  See more cafe design hanging ideas at http://pinterest.com/turpinsmale/great-cafes-design/

Cold Drinks in the Khazi

 The first cafe we have seen selling coconut water (and some original soft drinks in smart reusable juice bottles).  Attendant (the cafe in a underground toilet) is spot on.

Drinks are served with a jam jar 'cup', ice and fat straw.

Don't Spend A Penny

 'Attendant' is an underground 1890 Victorian Gentleman's toilet converted into an espresso and food cafe.

Situated in Foley Street, W1 it is well worth a visit.  Sup your latte sitting at an urinal!

Two Magpies

 The Two Magpies Bakery in Southwold combines unpretentious food and signage with great home-baking.

When Full

 Lakeland's Windermere cafe is well organised for queues with pagers and more.

 Waiting times for tables of 2 and tables of 3

 Relax and listen while you wait plus free internet access

Cushion Your Barrels

Adnams (the brewery)'s cafe in Southwold has an obvious and creative source of seating by simply adding cushions to their beer barrels.

Pork Pie Brekkie

Guest Spot

Holkham try out a new local speciality from Bray's Cottage Pork Pies http://www.perfectpie.co.uk/- a posh breakfast pork pie with quails eggs, bacon and baked beans.

Malakoff

Lakeland's cafe at their Windermere headquarters has chocolate, almond and pistachio Malakoff.  Apparently named after a candy made famous between the world wars.

Best Friend Specials

Dogs and their owners are worth catering for.  The Bounty is our characterful local and they know the value of looking after man (and woman)'s best friend.

Go Home and Relax

Well Bread Cafe in Cowes, Isle of Wight has its opening and closing 'to do' list on public view.  Love the reminder to be 'slick, efficient, helpful and remember to smile' plus Last Thing 'Go Home and Relax'.

Free Toast

The morning coffee promotions vary from price to free (low cost) items such as toast.

Have Your Cake and Eat It

Leon's £3.50 any coffee and cake offer.

Float like a Theme

Guest Spot

Claire Martinsen reports on Butterfly World - "they have really committed to the theme.  From the toilet building [in the shape of a hive], to Nectar Cafe, to the butterfly cookies in the cafe.  Its well done and well thought through."

Ring that Sale

The bell makes the point that Itsu sells items at half price half an hour before closing.

More Style in Shoreditch

 Les Trois Garcons in Shoreditch is famous for its design and has spawned a cafe Maison 3 Garcons nearby.

Bloody Lovely Garden

Pub in Shoreditch High Street emphasises its alfresco attraction.

Dinosaur Diner Pops Up

 Jamie Oliver's 3 year Pop Up Diner just off Piccadilly Circus on the first floor.

 Dinosaurs are the theme - on WC cistern and all.

Very Well Bread

 Cowes, Isle of Wight's Well Bread cafe has influences of the Town Mill and Royal William Bakeries - terrific.

Giant Characters

Guest Spot

Giant deckchairs and local character cut-outs are this season's additions at Holkham Estates' Beach Cafe at Wells-next-the-Sea.  Manager Alan Miller keeps generating the innovations.  Bravo.