I really, really wanted to love Dolce Lounge. After being recommended I visit by a business contact, I had a quick look online to get some information. I discovered that the Cafe is a Independent venue set up by two Aston University Graduates to try and encourage more of a "Cafe Culture" in Birmingham. They have obviously put in a lot of work and hard graft to get it started, but it's just not there... yet.
The little venue is based at the top of Corporation Street (passed the Law courts). It looks reasonably appealing from the outside (although the neon words listing it's wares does seem to cheapen the exterior), but I don't think it would drag you in unless you knew what was being offered.
The first thing that caught me was the selection of Gelato. So many different flavors are on offer here, from Bubble Gum to Cheesecake your more traditional Chocolate flavored treat. The cakes also looked amazing! Beautiful, delicate and definitely sinful! As I am trying to eat healthy at the moment, I managed to avoid these temptations and just ordered a Red Berry tea (I tried for Peppermint, but they were out).
I asked if I could sit around for a bit and do some work and was told I could sit downstairs (there are small tables designed for two) or upstairs where there is more room. I plumped for upstairs. The cafe has a lovely print of venice as wallpaper on the upstairs (obviously, again to put you in mind of the cafe culture). When I went up there, there were three other groups of people. Two of them were studying and one group was just... hanging out and having a chat.
It all seemed quite nice... until someone decided that everyone needed to listen to rap... quite loudly. Now, I am not a fan of rap music at the best of times, but listening to a man shout at me whilst I'm trying to enjoy a nice cup of tea and get on with some work is not ideal. It was eventually turned down a touch, but the music seemed at odds with the relaxed, classy vibe the cafe was trying to create.
That all being considered, I would pop back and give it another go. The cake and gelato are too much of a draw not to try this venue again. I only paid around £1.75/£1.85 for my cup of tea, so the prices seem about right. I didn't ask the prices of the desserts, but I will update next time... read more