MIYU Coffee

MIYU Coffee

MIYU Coffee

A coffee bar with someone who knows about coffee, who imports high quality beans roasted in Greece, now that is a find.

But did not know how to make freddo cappuccino. I had to show.

• brew coffee
• whilst coffee is brewing, foam milk to creamy texture
• milk has to be skimmed, fridge temperature
• froth coffee slightly
• fill tapered glass with ice cubes
• pour in coffee
• fold or spoon in frothed coffee
• much practice is required

I though learnt something new.

Vanilla ice cream in a tub. Pour into tub espresso coffee. Scoop out ice cream with a  litttle coffee (balance is the key). Interesting combination.

Mainly takeaway coffee. I would also recommend serving in cups and glass. The reason why, people will sit outside to drink, this will catch the attention of passers by, they too will be tempted to stop.

Why drink the disgusting coffee from Coffee Island or Costa, when there is a coffee shop serving decent coffee?

MIYU Coffee can be found on the road leading down from Nicolas Tavern to Fig Tree Bay.

Cappuccino en el café bar Agora

cappuccino

chocolate cake

Cappuccinno and chocolate cake in café bar Agora.

The chocolate cake was delicious, and very generous portion.

The cappuccino was not good, cheap coffee, ground and then left for the day, a very unpleasant bitter taste.

A pity they are not taking more care with their coffee as the potential to be an excellent coffee bar.

Sirena Bay

Sirena Bay

freddo espresso

I was looking for a coffee shop.

Do you know Pernera?

No, I know Crystal Springs.

Ok, alight from bus, and nearby.

I passed through Pernera. I alighted at next bus stop, due to ignorant Russian not getting up from his seat.

I walked back to Crystal Springs, walked down a side road that seemed to lead to the coast.

Can I walk along the coast, I asked a man at a villa?

No, he said.

I ignored him, and walked along the coast, heading back towards Pernera.

And that is how I found Sirena Bay. A tranquil spot, a taverna hidden in the trees. At least it would be had the taverna, not had awful music playing.

I asked why the music?

I am pleased to say they turned it off, or at least replaced it with something better.

Sirena Bay, the best kept secret in Paralimni, Pernera and Protaras. A little taverna, tables and chairs set in the trees overlooking the bay.

The tables massive, bound by iron bands. I was curious. Discarded and recycled cable drums.

The house built in traditional style.

The mother of Elena, was on a boat trip, pre-1974, pre-illegal Turkish invasion and occupation. She spotted the bay, tracked down the owner of the potato fields, asked could she buy.

Now terraced.

Clearly a labour of love.

I asked for a coffee, freddo espresso. Sadly only nescafe. Yuk.

Aside from producing disgusting coffee, Nestlé is an evil company to be avoided at all costs.

A must, a quality espresso machine, quality coffee beans, hand roasted from independent coffee roaster, and a skilled barrista.

Why oh why, do Cypriots meet in Costa, drink their disgusting coffee in a coffee shop lacking in ambience that screams corporate, when they could meet at Sirena Bay?

If they must play music, then check out bandcamp, musicians like Steve Lawson, Imogen Heap, Zoe Keating et al.

This is an ideal spot, for live music, small intimate concerts in the evening. Indeed, I could not imagine a more ideal spot for Steve Lawson, Zoe Keating, Imogen Heap. Also story telling, Steph Bradley with her Tales of Our Times tour.

I carried on my walk. Around Sirena Bay on the spring line.

One side of Sirena Bay, bamboo thickets. The local council wished to burn. It is the habitat of a rare and endangered water snake.

From Sirena Bay, ugly developments all the way to Protaras.

Pause and reflect, the quality tourism Protaras would attract, if tavernas like Sirena Bay, not the ghastly bars which attract the bottom end of the tourist market.

Tavernas like Sirena Bay, need to form strategic alliances, have leaflets for boat trips like Napa King. Napa King have leaflets for Sirena Bay, point it out as sail along the coast.

Recycle money within the local economy.

Did I find the coffee bar? Yes, it was in Pernera. But all it was was a kiosk by the beach.

• PHOTOS Sirena Bay

Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey

I had never noticed Milk & Honey before, probably because it was not there.

A little deli cum café on the left hand side of the main entrance into the Castle Grounds in Guildford, the top end where is located the bowling greens and a bandstand where plays take place.

I was actually on my way to visit Alice Through the Looking Glass, but the best laid plans of mice and men …

I decided to pop in and take a look. I was there all afternoon until late afternoon or early evening.

Occasionally one finds a lovely food place, where as soon as you walk in the door you see it is a labour of love. Grocer and Grain in Brighton is one such place, and that is what I was reminded of when I walked into Milk & Honey.

Home made cakes, coffees, teas. In the window Easter eggs. Easter eggs? Greek Easter is 5 May.

When people bought a cake, or a piece of cheese, it was lovingly wrapped and tied with a ribbon.

I looked up, and what I had not noticed before, handmade jewellery hanging from the ceiling.

I suggested for the summer, tables and chairs outside, freddo cappuccino. If Costa Coffee can block an alleyway and cause an obstruction, I can see absolutely no reason why Milk & Honey cannot have tables and chairs outside obstructing no one. Although with the park benches outside, pull up a milk churn as a coffee table.

We tried making a freddo cappuccino, but did not work, wrong glasses, wrong milk, and ideally need better coffee.

Another idea I suggested was little picnic packs for people to take and enjoy in the Castle Grounds.

Some hours later, I left to go off in search of Alice.

Modern Classics

Modern Classics

Modern Classics, in The Strait, leading up to Steep Hill in Lincoln, more of a traditional café then a coffee bar, though serving Stokes coffee.

Inside very retro, a pity though the garish sign especially as next to a Norman house in a architecturally interesting street.

Home made cakes, lunches, everything appears to be locally sourced, Lincolnshire sausages.

Sadly I had no time to stay, other than a quick hello.

It is unusual Lincoln has so many indie coffee shops, giving a wide variety of choice, as the centre of town is not attractive, clone town writ large.