My favourite haunt that I rarely ever actually get to sit in at, what with it mostly being a source of WFH afternoon hot chocolates. But this time, I’m catching up with Ruth on the weekend, and where else could we go. The best hot chocolates in Bristol, so much so that they’ve ruined everywhere else. Today, my favourite, a dark and minty hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow. Rich, velevety, not too sweet. Perfect.
Yesterday, I was (very easily) talked into buying the Waterstones book of the month by the bookseller at the till, and eager to reassure me that I was making the right choice, informed me that with the receipt I could get a free hot drink until the end of the month. Not one to leave money on the table, I went back the next day to take advantage of this offer, with a perfectly serviceable hot chocolate and an excuse to sit still and read for a bit. What more could you want?
I’ve identified the only other human being I know in Birmingham, and I am thrilled to get out the house and have a coffee with Reuben. He suggests Blank Slate Coffee, which - with no superior local knowledge - I am happy to agree to. I have a small chai latte which is smaller than I’d have anticipated, but is perfectly nice. I’ve not yet had enough chai lattes to fully discern. I also bring home a brownie, which is no Zara’s or my own, but is fudgy enough to get by.
I have cleared my afternoon of meetings and have found a café that’s a 15 minute walk from Aladair’s mum’s house, so it’s time to take a break into the world that isn’t just going to the gym. I have a very nice chai latte and a red velvet cupcake, which I can tell you was good because the frosting dipped into the centre rather than just adorning the top. I listen to Slowdive’s self-titled comeback album and crack on with some work proposals. Nice to have a change of scene.
Having dropped Alasdair off at the hospital for the operation, and having found out that despite being on the morning list and getting there for 7.30am that he’s actually going into theatre at 2.30pm, Vicky and I make tracks via Gluttons For Nourishment, if only for the name. I treat myself to a brunch slice of chocolate cake - quite moist, well iced - and a chai latte for my troubles. A pleasingly different vibe from a hospital, which is really the selling point I suppose.
Needing some sort of sustenance before the train back to Bristol by myself, Alasdair and I pop into Black Sheep Coffee more in a “this will do” sense than any particular excitement. Service is remarkably slow and ill-thought through (don’t have the hot drink on the side ready to go and then take 10 minutes to make the food). I have a peppermint tea which is hard to get wrong, and a somewhat underwhelming “Norwegian” waffle with strawberries and cream.
Our home away from home, and an odd choice to go to our local whiskey and cocktail bar during Dry January, but the non-alcoholic cocktails are still to die for - I opt for a 0% floradora, made with grenadine instead of raspberry, and it is just divine. Thank god it’s here.