The Speciality Coffee Shop - Nottingham ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️

Pros: Coffee, Knowledge, Owner, shabby chic interior

Cons: Decor may be a bit too shabby for some

I was visiting Nottingham to see family and do some Christmas shopping and whilst I was there, I visited two coffee shops – this was one of them. I wandered in and was taken with the shabby chic look immediately, for me it just looks homely, and in my experience shabbier usually means the focus is put on their coffee.

When I review coffee shops or really any place I intend to spend time or money in there are two things I look for and really see the value in; I love great customer service, and I also love passion for what you do, so I was delighted to walk into The Speciality Coffee Shop to be greeted by someone who had both; Michelangelo, an Italian gentleman with a tonne of enthusiasm and personality. I walked in and was welcomed with a large smile, it didn’t look forced and felt completely sincere.

I cast my eyes at the menu and jumped into my usual questions about the coffee and was told that there were two: a blend by Origin (origincoffee.co.uk) and a blend by alchemy (alchemycoffee.co.uk), without prompts I was given the flavour notes, recommended what was popular and when I enquired as to whether he could do it as a split shot he said yes! (This is a first for me, I have asked for a split shot in other cafes and they just look at me with the blankest of faces).

So I ordered a split shot of the Origin blend, Michelangelo promised tastes of pineapple and when I asked about what milk to use he suggested good ol’ whole milk. I sat down and was already impressed, the atmosphere was a quiet hum of chatter. The Speciality is located opposite a cat cafe in Nottingham if that’s your thing instead.

I did not have to wait long and this is what arrived:

It was beautifully presented on a wooden paddle with a description of the coffee I was about to drink. I was honestly, blown away. Presented with love and care and it definitely made me feel special. When you go into a Starbucks or any chain for that matter, in my experience, you are rushed along and are just a number, right in that moment when my coffee arrived, I felt valued and for one of the first times in my life, lost for words.

At this point, I got nervous. What if the coffee was awful? I had great service and a great atmosphere… my blog though is all about the coffee. What am I going to do if this coffee does not click the way I wanted it too – was this happy Italian lying to me when he told me this was the best way to experience this coffee?

I observed the heart in my glass a little bit longer and supped the espresso.

The espresso coated my tongue and I was greeted with slight acidity, it was a strong, rich taste. I considered it and was greeted with hints of apple – think a pink lady, that same texture and mild acidity. It had a strong smell which I absolutely love in my coffee, a punch in the nose of smell.The finish lingered and I felt an immediate buzz in my energy levels, it does however run the risk of leaving you with coffee breath.

As I moved onto the flat white, the acidity was reduced and was incredibly creamy and smooth, very moreish and the pineapple I was promised came through. The whole milk absolutely did its job and the finish reminded me of a vanilla cake which I would assume is the marzipan doing its job. As I got towards the end I was slapping my lips tempted to order a second one just make doubly sure lightning couldn’t strike twice. As I finished the coffee I sat back and soaked everything in, I already knew I was sold on The Speciality Coffee Shop, a great environment to work, read or meet up in.

I’m not going to say much more about the coffee, you can tell by my review I’m completely taken with the place. As I said near the beginning I value customer service and a passion for what you do, and I don’t think enough coffee shops put enough emphasis on the second part – coffee is such a precarious commodity. Like whiskey or ale there are so many different tastes and ways to enjoy and I think independent and smaller coffee shops understand this, which is why I prefer drinking at them.

Michelangelo told me he would like to roast his own beans one day and about the time he visited the farm where they grow the beans – that kind of passion can’t be forced into someone and I could tell in every sip I took that to Michelangelo, coffee isn’t just another drink, it is so much more than that.

So would I recommend The Speciality Coffee Shop? Yes. Yes I would.