As a student, I find myself in cafes all the time. Whether it be studying, catching up with friends or getting a bite to eat between lectures, running into the nearest Costa or Nero for a quick brew and a bite to eat often seems the easiest option for lunch. It's just as well, really, given the sheer amount of coffee spots Nottingham has .
Just about every corner has one, and if it doesn't, give it a year. But being honest, I find a lot of the food at cafes often isn't up to scratch. There are exceptions and one-offs of course, but it seems - particularly with the chains - that the grub is an afterthought, often consisting of meal-deal-style paninis and sandwiches chilled in a fridge.
Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp It usually does the job but doesn't justify the often lucrative price tag attached. That's why I was so excited when I heard pasty-makers The Cornish Bakery were opening in a site in the city centre. We all love a pasty, don't we? That warm, flaky pastry that tastes just like holidays to the South West as a kid.
I remember many years ago, sat in the back of the car on the way onto Newquay being thrilled - not about swimming in the beautiful waves that crash on the south coast or seeing the countryside - but rather about the idea of the pasty I was planning to shove in my gob later that day. In recent years, though, I've struggled to find anything nearly as good as the pasties from Cornwall. In fact, I remember having such a hankering for one on a Saturday morning last year, that I grabbed my phone and Googled 'pasty places' near me.
The results? The hot food counter of the BP garage and a Morrisons. Fair to say, I didn't take any convincing when the Cornish Bakery opened on Monday (August 12). The Tuesday after, on my way home from work, I walked into the new café on Bridlesmith Gate - located in the old Jack Wills shop - and savoured the moment I'd be dreaming of for years.
The glass on the counter displaying the fresh pastries had a golden-like glow. The pasty flavours ranged from chicken, leek and bacon to spiced cauliflower and onion bhaji, and of course, the traditional Cornish. But I opt for - what any real pasty connoisseur will tell you is the best - is a classic cheese and onion.
In terms of sweet pastries, there are pistachio croissants, cinnamon buns and the like but I opt for a coffee cake. I fancy a hot drink so I go for the white mocha - a classic with a twist. I take my cake and pasty - warming up the plate it sits upon - to my table as the coffee is made.
I tuck into the pasty and it doesn't disappoint. It's flaky, golden and crispy on the outside and warm, homely and cheese-filled on the interior. By the time my white mocha finally arrives, the pasty is all gone.
It's a beautiful drink, making what is already ridiculously sweet even sweeter. Again, it lives up to my high expectations. The coffee cake is beautiful, with a more crispy sponge-like texture rather than your typical softer bun.
Price-wise, it's not the cheapest. The total bill came to £11.45 with the pasty itself clocking in at just over a fiver.
Sure, it's more expensive than your Greggs or a meal deal. But it's not really any different in terms of cost to a Costa or Nero, in my opinion. It's also fresh, hearty and filling food that is unlikely to disappoint.
The interior - which is simple but cosy - also justifies the price slightly more. Next time you fancy a coffee but want something to eat that won't disappoint, give the Cornish Bakery a go..
