I had reason to visit Tara Street lately since starting to use the Dart (Reformed Car Driver) and was delighted to discover Nicks new Coffee shop. Being a fan of his Ranelagh outlet and the simply great Coffee which he creates,I was delighted to discover his city venture. This is his second outlet and by virtue of location, is a walk in shop as distinct from the Kiosk in Ranelagh, he has however managed to maintain his extremely fair pricing.
I have always had an issue with the €4 latte brigade even before the era of austerity. The shop is very well designed and does exactly what it should, serves some of the best coffee I have found in Dublin, there is a real buzz about the place and while it offers seating on a very limited basis (reserved for clients buying beans waiting for the grinder to do its thing) all the customers that came in while I was there were greeted by their first name. I suspect the takeaway aspect has contributed to keeping costs under control and makes it feasible for Nick to provide a €1 espresso or €2 cappuchino. They have a loyalty scheme where every 7th coffee is free, mornings offer, any coffee and pastry for €3, do a monthly draw for 30 free coffees and have a happy hour between three and four where any coffee is €1.
The guys strike me as being about coffee first and foremost and unlike the mainstream corporate outlets, less about stiffing me. Their approach reminds me of restaurants in France where they open a business for the love of fine food and the evidence is in the detail. When I complimented Nick about his French like approach to coffee, he confided in me that his expansion within the next three years includes a move to the South of France, from where he plans to continue his love of coffee while sampling a more relaxed lifestyle and I guess, better weather, in the meantime get to Nicks if coffee is your thing, It has become the mainstay of my morning routine along with the Dart! read more