With Christmas a far and distant memory (thanking my lucky stars!) we rumble onto Spring, half term has already rattled by and Spring is on the horizon, hopefully we’ll soon be seeing snowdrops, and croci and then the beautiful bluebell (my favourite!) making an appearance soon!
So, the latter part of last year saw Aston Clinton Coffee Shop open its doors, and what lovely doors! Just like stepping into a friends living room, the decor, the comfy chairs and side tables, display of old books, was a lovely first impression.
I had been meaning to visit for months but with the busy bluebell lifestyle I lead, whenever I was passing I always had my dogs with me, however, dogs are gladly welcomed at Aston Clinton Coffee Shop but mine would surely be banned. You see one of my dogs doesn’t sit obediently on the floor next to me, he likes to get up close and personal and try to sit on my lap, table, chair wherever he can get the most attention. (he was a rescue, has issues you know) So when I found myself dog free, I arranged to meet an old friend there and promptly hot footed it up to sample the atmosphere and highly recommended array of cakes.
I was a little miffed when I first walked in. I had found some earphones that somebody had clearly dropped on exiting the cafe, so I picked them up and took them to the counter. I wasn’t greeted, acknowledged, or smiled at, despite the young girl behind the counter on her phone (!) and despite me saying “Excuse me”, she continued checking it! Anyhow, I asked her if I could order something and she finally came over. I explained how I had found the earphones, again no acknowledgement, she just took them from me and I ordered my coffee and was told it would be brought over to me. Rather astonished I wondered over to the seating area.
I choose a seat in the window and waited for my friend to arrive. A different waitress delivered my coffee, she was far more friendly and welcoming. The coffee, ohhhh yummy, I have to say it was delicious and my memories of the preoccupied barista were fast fading. My friend arrived, followed by cakes followed by more coffee and then a third cup and the service we received was wonderful. I can only assume that the first girl I encountered was Saturday staff, and didn’t uphold the recommended friendly and welcoming reputation that this lovely village coffee shop had cultivated in a relatively short space of time. I hope it was a blip.
I also hope they bring back their homemade, to order sandwiches, I heard great things about them, but unfortunately due to there not being enough demand they had to change their menus. An idea!! If we got all the local businesses in Aston Clinton to get their lunch from here, or maybe for Aston Clinton Coffee Shop to offer a delivery lunch service, maybe have an arrangement with the local schools – instead of Pizza Day or hotdog day with cheap as chips ingredients, they could have a freshly homemade sandwich day or something, anything to keep the business at the hot new addition to Aston booming!
I shall be returning and recommending wherever I go, its marvelous to see independently run coffee shops, instead of another chain popping up, specially with home made and locally sourced produce.
They also offer their premises to local clubs or meetings – another fab opportunity, what better way to meet the local knitters over a cuppa in lovely surroundings?
A fabulous addition to Aston Clinton and one that I hope will remain for many years
Visit them www.astonclintoncoffee.co.uk
Aston Clinton Coffee
108 London Road, Aston Clinton,
Buckinghamshire 01296 632212
The Buckinghamshire Bluebell 