Caffé Concerto

Review contains a warning.
I just got back from Café Concerto not too long ago, and I have to say that it was an interesting turn of events. Me and a friend was craving for dessert and wine, and café concerto was our top pick to dine in. I’ve been there before, and really liked it.
Beautifully decorated on the outside, and the inside was quiet charming. We ordered our dessert — I ordered the Selva Cake and my friend ordered Tiramisu. Once our order arrived, I decided to take a pic but then I noticed something on top of the cream cake… at a closer inspection I realised what I found resembled a «mice dropping» (I’ve worked at places where they’ve had rodent problems, so I know what mice droppings look like). I showed my friend and asked her opinion, perhaps I was seeing things, or perhaps it was a herb that fell on top of the cake, as the place looked spectacularly clean and their hygiene rate is ranked 4. My friend had a closer look and she said it looked like mice dropping. my heart sank. I didn’t want to appear rude or make any accusations as I am not a confrontational person. I showed the waiter, and she saw it and took the cake away. She came back and apologised but didn’t explain what it was that I found. She kindly offered me another cake, which I accepted but I had to be extra vigilant when it arrived.
If I were to go there again, it would only be for coffee or wine. If you are planning to go there, please do be extra vigilant once your order arrives.

Lovely stop for a coffee — not only is the coffee itself delicious but because it’s outside you can almost forget you’re in a shopping mall too. The beautiful décor inside only adds to that, with the chandeliers giving it a swish ladies-​who-​lunch type feel.
The shape of the interior is quite unique however, being essentially one long semicircle lined with tables on either side, leaving a narrow walkway in between that is probably only wide enough for one person to walk along at a time. And when you’ve turned up with your pregnant mate who’s almost at her due date and thus has a pretty wide turning circle shall we say, things can get tricky when it comes to dodging waiters. It reminded me of that old game with the penguins pushing the ice cubes around, with the waiter at the far end having to wait until we’d sat down to be able to walk past. I also felt slightly under threat of spillage every time a tray went past given the space was so tight.
Bottle-​neck design flaws aside though, it was a winner. Anywhere that serves its scones nicely warmed through and with such a generous helping of clotted cream is going to get my vote. Yum.

Yummy desserts and nice service. The girl behind the counter went through the description of several cakes for my friend and I. My only complaint is that I wish this location was a little more enclosed. It looks random in the mall. Or maybe it’s a British thing and I’m too American.

I can say that I love café concerto I have been a few times for breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner and all those times I was well served by the staff and the food was amazing.
The first time I went it was a friend who dragged me in saying we had to have their hot chocolate which I was not disappointed about it was amazing. I then dragged another friend of mine for dinner and another for breakfast… Just can’t get enough of their menu and the atmosphere of the place.

This Caffe Concerto is really just a fancy stall located opposite the food court inside Westfield. As is typical of CC’s restaurants there’s a large display filled with cakes and all manner of sweet treats, including a small selection of gelato but the presentation is, like most Caffe Concertos, a little on the glam and gaudy side. Although everything looks delicious and beautiful, it all comes across as very manufactured, too deliberate in a way that is almost clinical. This is a problem that plagues most chains so CC is not alone in this particular type of problem. It also has to be said that it achieves very little success in its bid to appear more upscale than its neighbours. Definitely a Hyacinth Bucket situation. This is a stall style bar in the middle of a mall’s concourse after all. People are walking by trying to politely ignore the Soap & Co employees and make their way from M&S to John Lewis. They probably aren’t looking for a TOWIE inspired fine dining experience, complete with champagne. For that, it might be better to pop over to the actual Caffe Concerto located at The Street (the outdoor section of the mall) or to go somewhere nicer still.
I have stopped by for a coffee once or twice and their espresso is great. I even got a mille feuille and bought my mum a milkshake last time I was here but I don’t think I’d want to be the person ordering champagne or a bellini. It would cost the same at a place where passersby couldn’t gawk at you enjoying your expensive beverage… or perhaps that’s the point? I’m not sure but what I do know is that this place is more expensive than the food court and just as loud.
Lastly, to end a high note, a good word has to be put in for the staff who are really friendly and always smiling. That’s not something that can be said for all of the neighbouring businesses.

A nice atmosphere and a great place to sit and catch up with the girls over coffee and yummy fresh pastries on a Sunday. The only let down was the service had to wait quite a while to be served however would definitely go again to try the rest of the wonderful deserts and cakes they have on display — their Selection is Fantastic!

Came around to sit outside of the mall and have some cocktails. While the outside bit is nice for a mall and provides a good view of the Olympic Helix, Cosmo and mojito were boringly weak, made by lazy or inexperienced barstaff. Seems like a better place to go for coffee than drinks.