One day I curiously drove into Hixberry Lane (St Albans) to see where it led to!
A few buildings, polytunnels and vegetable rows later, I realised that I was at an establishment called Earthworks!
Later that year, at the St Albans Farmers’ Market, I spotted their colourful stall with artichokes, lettuce, cucumbers as well as herbs, pretty homecrafts and other interesting wooden ornaments.
I learned that Earthworks is a charity who trains those with learning difficulties and mental health problems. Its staff and trainees grow and make the produce at their 2 acres Hixberry Lane site; these are then sold at the local markets but can also be purchased at their base. If you read the history on Earthworks, you will see that it’s quite a special. place which is why I am spreading the word!
Note; Their Annual Fair is on Sunday 5th September 11am – 4pm.
It is with great joy that I can announce that Flat White coffees can now to be enjoyed in at least three (maybe more?) local cafes!
Initially, they were only to be found at the Merchant Tea and Coffee Co but recently they have appeared on the menus of Costa and Starbucks! Costa’s (skinny) Flat White was absolutely perfect. Starbuck’s Flat White also looked and tasted great but was only available in full-fat milk. The staff there explained that Flat Whites should only be served using full-fat milk.
And what IS a Flat White you might ask? It’s an antipodean-style coffee (pronounced flet whyte by New Zealanders), which is served as a strong shot of espresso mixed carefully with textured milk. It is finished off by a beautifully formed ‘Rosetta’ on top! The photo shows my Rosetta ruined by my addition of cinnamon!
It’s called ‘flat’ because the cappuccino part of the froth is held back. Basically, it is a delicious drink that is somewhere between a cappuccino and a latte but tastes velvety and strong.
My question is; does anyone know exactly where is originated?
Click on www.stalbanslife.co.uk/cafes and www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/Eating-out for a list of places to eat and drink in St Albans
I’ve been to Pizza Express on Verulam Road many times in the last few years. It seemed the right thing to do. I put up with that nagging feeling that the pizzas get smaller and the prices just get bigger. They do, or did, a really good pizza, in a reasonable atmosphere.
But they’ve really gone down hill. The most notable thing, as anyone who goes there will tell you, is the deterioration in the service. Often grumpy, and always very slow.
Tonight was the last straw. It took an hour from our arrival (we had booked) to getting our pizzas. A whole hour. We were informed that they were so busy that “my manager is the chef tonight”. What does THAT mean? The chef was organising the tables? The manager was having a go at cooking?
Judging from my soggy, ill-formed meal, I would guess the latter. I don’t usually have any trouble polishing off a pizza. But this one defeated me after just a couple of mouthfuls. It just had nothing going for it. I continued to about a third of the way through, just for show, then gave up.
Time’s up, PE. You’ve lost my business I’m afraid.
www.greenstalbans.blogspot.com
08 Jan, 2010. Posted by: Nigel
Waterend Barn, a Wetherspoon Pub, in St Albans is yet another business who realises the advantages of providing free Wi-Fi for its customers. There are still establishments who charge for it but hopefully in time they will see that their customer numbers might increase when free internet access becomes part of the menu.
I had lunch yesterday at the
White Hart Tap and enjoyed their free and open Wi-fi service. Nice 6oz steak as well. They obviously understand the benefit of free internet access and I was not the only customer with a laptop next to my pint!
For a list of the free Wi-Fi spots in this city, click on the Wi-Fi link above. If you know of any other providers, please let us know.
In August this year, we experienced the closure of Borders Bookstore in Colney Fields Retail Park. Along with that, the popular Starbucks Café closed too. This weekend, the fashion store, New Look has opened in its place. The presence of silver decorations, Christmas music and a huge range of winter clothing, creates a vibrant atmosphere thats worth checking out!
Starbucks Café has reopened too (upstairs) with a brand new look of its own! Its entrance has changed and it is not as exposed to the store as before. It also lacks the cosy atmosphere although the new decor is more upbeat. Never mind, no doubt the double-shot, skinny latte is as good as ever!
Links -
www.newlook.co.uk, http://wordpresswebservices.com/stalbanslife/shopping/local-shops/farewell-to-borders-bookstore, www.starbucks.co.uk
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