We are Costa fans and have a coffee there almost every day. We have ONE favourite Costa outlet and that is our local one in Chichester.
Why is it our favourite? Because the staff are polite, friendly and take the time to remember who you are.
Not only that, they also are keen to make a great cup of coffee and as far as I am concerned make a “benchmark” Flat White.
Now we also have to recognise that a Costa branch in Brighton, perhaps not as friendly as Chichester but certainly as efficient, is also very good in terms of their Flat White’s.
Without doubt whilst we have sampled Costa coffees in Salisbury, Guildford, Portsmouth and Southampton I have to say that the Southampton branches are far and away the very worst coffee drinking experience in terms of our Flat White’s. We have tried four out of the five outlets we know of in Southampton and not one has been able to produce a really good drink. The staff are polite but that is as about as far as it goes as I don’t think they have a passion for coffee making.
Our last Flat White experience in Southampton was so bad I was compelled to be honest with the poor unfortunate barista who had made the drinks. Who, despite my declaration that “this coffee is not very good looking” to “frankly, this coffee is not at all good” and “can I have the milk topped up please” – was met with a somewhat odd, bemused or uncomprehending grin from the unfortunate barista on the receiving end of my rather restrained tongue lashing.
All in all the drink was not made with any degree of care. The milk slopped in and the finish (normally a sort of tulip shape) was just not present!
So sorry Southampton, outside Waterstone’s the one inside Waterstone’s plus the one at the top of the West Quay Mall, you have failed us in our search for a really good Flat White!
Chichester however scores a resounding 10/10 if you combine the welcome, the service and the coffee.
3 comments:
Dear TIT,
So you and your good lady partake, it seems almost daily, of a Costa beverage, a Flat White no less. As one, perhaps in the minority, who has never stepped inside one of their establishments I must confess to not knowing what a Flat White is apart perhaps from the obvious that it is a coffee with milk in it, or a milk with coffee in it. It seems though that this is your favourite choice of beverage as no doubt I assume they do offer other choices.
Yes I have often passed these establishments and I admit they look cheery enough places, there is lighting and seating I note, perhaps I should make the effort and enter to sample their fare when next I am in the vicinity of a Costa outlet.
Apart from a Flat White do you recommend anything else and is there a protocol, do I sit and wait to be served or it is self service.
I do get embarrassed not knowing, at least with the Lyons Corner House one knew where one stood; I do miss the Lyons Corner House don’t you? Casting my mind back I think the one at Tottenham Court Road to be my favourite though when funds permitted the Maison Lyons at Marble Arch was incomparable.
Your friend MAD
Oh Yes! You have to try a Flat White which is indeed a milky yet foamy coffee. Don't kid me you don't know the indside of a Costas! You queue, order and carry your coffee to a seating area fighting off the myriad of queue jumpers on the way! Now, Lyons Corner House in Tottenham Court Road, I suppose I do recall it vaugely as I lived not too far north in Hampstead Road (the Mornington Crescent end) but we only ever went to the Shaftbury Avenue Corner House as it was "more of a special time out" - I was only a small child you must remember and the "West End" was a special day out for me!
TIT
Dear TIT,
I fear sir you malign me, it is the truth, the inner portals of a Costa Coffee shop are a mystery to me.
Your friend MAD
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