I’ve never been that impressed with my nearest Esquire, it being cramped and not exactly thrilling inside. This branch though, urinates on it from a height of 100 metres and then gobs down its throat. Nice imagery eh?
The building is fairly long and goes quite far back. The counter is to the left with a number of tables tucked into the right-side wall for a tiny bit of privacy while at the back is a larger space. I sat there among office workers, cockney mothers’ meetings, an old woman staring into space (trying not to choke on a cherry scone) with a man looking like he had just retired from Combat 18. Dorking is quite posh though and I calculated I am not likely to get striped or kicked in the head here.
Menu has brunch options, soups and sandwiches with the usual array of cakes on the counter – yawn. Notably, one coconut offering looked like it has passed through the digestive system of a rhino before being squeezed out onto the wooden board. Wasn’t sure if it has been dropped on the floor but I didn’t see any half-price sticker on it.
There was no music but is was quite lively as I doubt this place gets too quiet. So anyway the latte and wifi were fine and it’s a nice spot to work/socialise in.
There is the usual wooden floors and trendy scandi-style patterned chairs with a long soft bonket to lean on which is quite comfy as you sit under spotlights. The wall are dark-grey Farrow and Ball with diagrams about how the coffee is brewed and a few shelves around but not much art which is a shame.
The toilet was fine but Mr Ex-Combat 18 had been in there and produced a stink bomb that made my eyes water and my throat burn. As I sat back down at my table, a teenager glaring at his mac-book wearing a bobble hat and headphones had sat next to me. He gently rocked back and forth to his, presumably terrible, music making the pom-pom danced about on his head. Very off-putting when you are trying to calculate the odds on the Mr Ex-Combat going tonto and attacking the punters with a machete.
Verdict: 4/5
Good: Close to Harris and Hoole standards.
Bad: No music. Needs more art.
Been to another one and it was OK but nothing spec. Maybe will try this one son, ta for the tip
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Sounds posh to me. Crewe hasn’t got one then mate?
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A good cafe but not as good as you make out
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It’s OK – better than chains or at least a smaller chain and something different xx
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Quality cafes in my book
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Corking!
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Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
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Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
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I work here quite a bit and really like it but Covidy sometimes
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Like your writing style and you are right but I think the clientele are quite normal personally as I am a regular.
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Like it
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Where is this?
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Seems to be full of characters lols and worth a drink with my girls x0x :)))))))))
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I live a few miles away and it used to be a bit crap and now it seems to be transformed! much better all round – glad something is finally moving as been here for years and same old same old except for epping done mad building down there 🙂
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Mad place sometimes as can be busy but worth a visit as better than the competition – my kids get bored in here though….
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This place is usually full of teachers and the odd druggy – weird eh?
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A great cafe with some characters yes but safe and relaxing I found with good coffee
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A good cafe – but why here, why now?
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We are not weird in Dorking!!!!!!!!!!!
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