I once forcibly dragged a friend I saw in the queue at Caffe Gusto out of the cafe. Bristol deserves better and there are hugely better options across the city for food and coffee.
The chain that began on St Michael’s Hill in Bristol has spread its tentacles widely, but recently its success has appeared to be on the wane. Which from many quarters will not be mourned.
A cafe in the Pallasades shopping centre in Birmingham has opened and shut. Cafes at Clifton Down, Upper Maudlin Street and the Pasteleria on Queen’s Road have also closed, and the lease on their cafe on the harbourside in a striking building opposite Brunel’s Buttery is for sale:
It’s not all bad news, however, as Penfold’s Kitchen has already opened in what used to be the Caffe Gusto opposite the Children’s Hospital, while their former Queen’s Road premises are being taken over by another new cafe called Ground Up, which looks like it will be opening imminently:
Despite declaring itself “Proudly independent” in its front window, Penfold’s Kitchen hasn’t entirely shaken off the worst traits of Caffe Gusto, including paninis wrapped in clingfilm. When I visited last week, the noise of the fridges were also drowning out Barry White on the stereo.
The A-board outside is painted black and advertises a coffee and a pastry deal for £3. But look closely at that same A-board and you will just be able to make out the Caffe Gusto roundel still underneath.
I can’t say I’m surprised, it’s always sad to see local businesses go under but Caffe Gusto has not really ingratiated itself to me. I’ve never been to one except out of necessity and when I do the music is always too loud, the food plain and the coffee mediocre. I find the décor possibly the most offensive thing, huge, blown-up pictures of croissants which are clearly pixelated, sticky tables and poor lighting.
It’s all so stuck in 2002 whereas other chains like BTP, Chandos Deli and Coffee #1 have grown up and become much more hospitable. It doesn’t seem that hard to get some mismatched furniture, do some better barista training and paint the walls a lighter colour. Just look at Spicer + Cole, @the Well and Barista’s Coffee Collective.
If you really need proof just look at Clifton Village, who would choose to go to the Caffe Gusto there compared to any of the other numerous cafés? I really don’t know.
The music in Gusto is not only terrible, it’s too loud as well.
Hi thanks for the feedback – I have bought the site off the Caffe Gusto group – you have some valid points – the a board and the fridge but as you’ll appreciate it’s tough starting out and will replace / improve as I go on – recycling the a board was the only option at the time- do you like Barry White? Did you try the coffee? The Panini’s do need better presentation but hopefully you noticed the ingredients? And please take a look at the garden if you get a chance. Also our cakes are awesome made by Bosh –
Thanks and please pop in for a coffee sometime
ATB
Simon Penfold