DCSA gets very busy during the week, while weekends are relaxed. We’re particularly fond of the fabulously unkempt brickwork, which might make you think you’re in a building site rather than a coffee bar. Other pleasures include good but unobtrusive music, and the warmest service you could ask for. All the coffee begins as espresso and is always well made, from beans provided by a range of roasters. The machine is well tended to between coffees, and milk is foamed, poured and decorated carefully.
Food is simple and high quality: a handful of sandwiches and a lovely spread of baked goods, some made here and others bought in. Our only grumble – unchanged from previous visits – is that our espresso could have been hotter. All staff need to do is heat the cups, for heaven’s sake. But this is hardly a unique problem, and certainly not enough to keep us away.