Whoopies still Whooping

Whoopie Pies may not have taken off here in the UK but Kookybakes (seen here at Kings Cross' Kerb street food pitch) has some great products - Malteser and Salted Caramel Whoopie Pies

 Red Velvet Whoopie Pie

 Strawberry Cheesecake and Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

 Peanut Butter Cup Whoopie Pie plus their Signature Slice

On-Site Roaster

Peyton & Byrne has an on-site roaster at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and makes sure it is well on view. Larger cafes will be considering the appeal and aroma of installing such units.

Coffee on Cannon Street

Harris & Hoole's flagship in Cannon Street is worth checking out.  You order at the counter but all coffees are made at four stations beyond the order point - impressive and they must be anticipating major volumes.

 We (and the staff) like the personalisation of the operation and it is part-owned by Tesco!

Looking after the Little Ones

Bright and appealing kids food display at Wakehurst in West Sussex operated by caterer Ampersand.

Fake Fire at Great Guardian

 Fake fire at #guardiancoffee pop up cafe at Boxpark, Shoreditch provides some focus and ambiance plus beautifully clear menu boards.

Trugful of Sandwiches

 Attractive and appropriate sandwich presentation with linked crisp sales at Royal Botanic Gardens outpost Wakehurst Place by caterer Ampersand.

Lavender Lemonade

Company of Cook's Herbfest on the South Bank has displays of herbs plus notes of what food and drink items they can all be used in.

Muddy Boots (and BBC Radio Interviews) Welcome

Rydal Hall's Old School Room tea shop in Cumbria welcomes the walkers and dog owners.  See my local pub's welcoming signage http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/stuff-rules-make-me-smile.html

Chris was interviewed last night on the BBC on 'What makes a Great Cafe?'.  The clip from the Mark Forrest programme, syndicated to most local radio stations and 1.6m listeners, can be downloaded at BBC Radio Interview with Chris Brown

Ice Cream Plus

An obvious combo where you have an espresso machine, ice cream, strawberries and the current heat.  Bravo to Benugo for offering Affogato (espresso coffee with ice cream) from their mobile unit in the forecourt of the British Museum.

Printed Cups

 One way to personalise your cups.  Attendant hand stamps every cup.

Royal Cafe

The Cafe Royal's new Regent Street cafe has some great individual items -a best selling £5 strawberry cheesecake plus their version of apple struzel.

It's not all fancy marble and prices - check out their £1 wattleseed shortbread biscuit wedges.

Snack Bombs

 Sea salt snack bombs and Vanilla pecan bars from Bittersweet Bakers http://bittersweetbakers.com/ at the Attendant cafe.

Guardian Pop Up

 #Guardiancoffee is a pop up cafe at Boxpark, Shoreditch operated by Nude Espresso with some fun ideas.

Tables with tablets plus wide screen summary of top drinks, tweets and photos.

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.