Caffe Nero

Oooh, this is like an undercover Nero, one of those ‘hiding in plain sight’ jobbins.
Must have something to do with the fact it is part of the BBC building and they aren’t allowed to advertise or something… I don’t know.
All in all though, is a fantastic vantage point to watch all kinds of celebs and wannabes come and go from the BeeB, plus they have coffee, and a fantastic chocolate fudge cake.
I actually quite like the big long table inside on the left, offers up the opportunity to mingle with strangers.

I’m not much of a coffee person, but sod it, it’s getting 5 stars from me!
Why?
1. Because it’s offers me a discount with my BBC pass
2. Because it gives me a free hot drink on a Tuesday as an O2 customer
3. Because the tables and chairs spill outside into the sunshine
4. Because you’re bound to see someone famous saunter past and possibly even take a seat beside you

Caffe Nero has just opened in BBC’s Broadcasting House. The café opens up on to the «World» piazza outside the Beeb’s new headquarters. I believe part of the new building’s planning permission depends on the provision of public spaces, and this café offers an opportunity for audiences, BBC staff, and perhaps a few famous faces to sip their lattes side by side.
Ok I admit, I was a wee bit excited to see something finally going on in the piazza outside the new building, and extra thrilled because it felt like the place just popped up overnight. Then I had to check myself as it is after all just a Caffe Nero. But still I am pleased as it’s great to see the piazza in use as intended (with real people and everything!).
Inside the café has traditional blah Café Nero style drawings of random European cityness. But apart from that its décor is pretty nice, and has large mirrors on the walls really opening the space up.
But the real star quality point of interest about this Caffe Nero is that it is very open, with lots of retractable doors and has tons of outside seating, so you can sit outside, people watch and lookout for news presenters (if that’s your bag). If you sort of squint, you can kind of pretend you are in Paris too — but without any wine and cigarettes, and with the occasional appearance of Huw Edwards and the sweet sounds of screaming teenagers waiting outside Radio 1. Yes, just like Paris.