Caffè Nero

I would never class myself as a coffee snob, at the end of the day if I fancy a coffee and there is a shop nearby I’ll go in it, especially if i’m in unfamilliar surroundings and don’t know where the nearest Indie is.
Before a night of Zombie mayhem at the Dancehouse a couple of weeks back, myself and Mrs Z fancied a coffee and a bite to eat. We’d got a bit of a soaking walking from the bus to Oxford road so we just went in the first place that we came to after picking up our tickets.
These days I don’t have a preference when it comes to the Coffee Chains, back in the day I always liked the Coffee Republic near Waterstones, which is a Eat these days I think. So Nero’s it was, I got my usual Latte and Ange got a Mocha and a sarnie which she described as alright. I suppose that was and is the problem with a lot of the chains, they are just ‘alright’.
I must say though that this particular branch was looking a bit worst for wear, and could do with a bit of a lick of paint/​general tidy up.

Caffè Nero is my favourite of the coffee-​shop conglomerates, and in particular, the company’s branch on Oxford Road is close becoming one of my favourite places to grab a quick bite to eat and drink in Manchester.
Admittedly, I don’t normally frequent chains, as I have an instinctive dislike for most of them, but the thing about Caffè Nero is the freshly prepared Italian food. After spending a month in Rome a few years back, I have a great love for Italian food, and Caffè Nero definitely helps my frequent cravings. The pasta dishes and salads are of note, particularly as the likes of Starbucks and Costa Coffee don’t really go that far with their food options.
The food is simple, honest and freshly prepared. I couldn’t really ask for more from a coffee shop. The counter staff, however, make the experience even more worthwhile. They always are smiling, friendly, and above all, always working. If nobody is queuing, then they are cleaning the machines, the counter, restocking the fridge. It is good to see that they take such care in maintaining the coffee shop, and, as they are also the people preparing your food, it is certainly a comfort to see them working as they do.
I would definitely recommend Caffè Nero, in particular this branch, as they go the extra mile, which, in this day and age, is unusual for a chain.

I really don’t see the problem with Nero. Yes, it’s a big British chain which pretends to be Italian and yes, it is overpriced. However, the coffee’s good (unlike a certain large American coffee chain), they have free ice-​cold water and you can lounge around and browse the Internet making use their free wi-​fi or read one of their copies of the Independent if you so desire.
This particular Nero always seems to be busy and there are always Italian men sitting outside on the cold metal chairs with their espressos and cigarettes. Maybe they didn’t do such a bad job of pretending to be Italian after all? I bet no Italians eat in Bella Italia.

Caffe Nero is one of the swarm of jazz music/​sofas/​overpriced coffee outlets in Manchester. This place has a slightly poorer air though then its clones in central due to the fact the whole area outside the café stinks of urine. O well, but café nero is an okayish spot for an okayish coffee. Head in and you’ll find plenty of seating along with some of the more illustrious sofa seats near the front window. Coffee is any which way you want it as expected but also a legal form of theft, café nero lives off this corruption of people willing to pay an 50p for 2p worth of say chocolate sprinkles. The food is alright, with toasties (sorry Panini’s, I’m so uncultured) and sandwiches. Again though delusionary pricing.

I don’t like the word hypocrite, I prefer enigma.
I’m mysterious, a conundrum, a freedom fighter against the big coffee corps who has fallen in love with a Nero, a… ok I’m a hypocrite.
But I’m a hypocrite with a portal that takes me away from the grimy Oxford road mornings to a place with fantastic coffee, bare brick walls, leather and walnut seats, slate flooring, soothing jazz, beautiful artwork and dark wood panelling.
And to think I would have missed all this if I hadn’t needed to pee so bad!