Oh ho ho! An FTR for me! Such a rarity these days, I'll take one where I can find one…read more
Anyway, on to the words. If you've been about Leeds, you'll have surely bumped into Opposite cafe, either in the Victoria Quarter, or opposite the Uni. (Get it, get the name?) These guys have been about for a long time, and unless I'm mistaken, were amongst the first to bring a proper cup to Leeds. At least, that's how I think of it. I've enjoyed many a decent cappuccino from these guys in the past, so having heard that they've a new presence in the Chapel of A, a visit was a must.
They're nestled quite visibly on Stainbeck lane, right near the cash point, and in the heart of the action. The shop is actually really lovely to be inside, despite being small. As we went in I spotted a chap sat, laptop open, and I'm sure he was even plugged into the juice so it looks like there's plenty of opportunity for a lazy afternoon browsing and drinking the black nectar.
Each table has a grid on it, and the one of the end even has black and white squares marked out, ready to chess or draught it up. Not sure if you can get the pieces from behind the bar, but being a bit of a chess fiend as I am, I have to come back to play a game - it'd be rude not to, since they've gone to the effort!
The staff were sound, as you'd expect from these guys. Friendly, helpful, and they know their coffee. The flat white was as good as I've ever had, and they even warned me that the espresso they were using at the time was quite sweet so take a sip before adding my own sugar. I did, and for the first time in ages forwent the added sweetness - there was no need. It was marvellous.
The chap had a sweet potato salad, which looked delicious. The deli counter has all manner of treats, healthy to boot, so you can do more than caffeinate yourselves here. The added bonus is that none other than David Firth, of Salad Fingers fame, has painted the mural (in chalk, I think) on the back wall. So, of course that looks excellent.
Basically, it's fantastic, and I can't wait to return. Amazing stuff.