The Espresso Gallery was taken over in January with owners wanting to bring a bit of Hong Kong to the city. The cafe in Woodborough Road, Mapperley, may be small but don’t underestimate it; the food is full of flavour and makes you want more.
With a vintage and rustic interior with Japanese art on the walls, the cafe has a homely and cosy vibe where you can get comfy and relax. On arrival, the cafe was packed.
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With seats taken upstairs and downstairs, there was one couple that braved the cold and sat outside. Having a flat white coffee whilst waiting for a table to become available, my coffee was frothy, creamy and stayed hot.
With the sound of the coffee machine whizzing away in the background and the chitter-chatter from people sitting downstairs, as more people came in for a takeaway coffee or to browse the menu, one employee behind the counter made it his mission to be friendly to everyone.
‘Your usual?’ You could hear them say to different people and then went on to ask them about their day. I remember visiting the Punch Coffee Shop on Mansfield Road months ago where there was similar stand-out customer service.
The Espresso Gallery does coffee for less than £3. Inside, you can have an espresso for £2.40, a black americano for £2.40, a latte for £2.90 and more - there’s also a range of milkshakes, including a Biscoff flavour.
I was gutted there were no tables available downstairs; it looked more snug and unlike upstairs, it was darker with no windows and more private. I asked what the most popular item currently is and was told: the frittata and Hong Kong-style waffles, so that’s what I ordered.
I was unfortunately defeated by the food and couldn’t eat it all but when my £6.95 frittata came, it smelt heavenly.
Warned not to touch the hot pan, I dug in. A frittata is an egg-based dish, similar to an omelette.
Mine had bacon, egg, potato, sweet pepper, onions, mozzarella and cream. I could taste it all.
Fluffy egg and stringy mozzarella with the bacon, potato and vegetables all mixed inside. Halfway through trying to finish my frittata, my Hong Kong-style waffles arrived.
The waffles are made with condensed milk, sugar, butter and peanut butter. Glorious.
I love peanut butter, I felt that if I didn't recommend these Hong Kong style waffles, I’d have gone for them anyway.
The waffles were beautifully cooked: well-done on the outside and soft on the inside. They put me in a sugar coma but for £6.35, you get your money's worth and they’re definitely worth it.
If you’re fancying something more savoury instead of sweet, you can get yourself the All Day waffles. They come with two sausages, bacon, beans, a large grilled flat mushroom, cheese, scrambled eggs and a side salad - it sounds like it’ll definitely get you through the day.
The food and interior at this small cafe was 10/10 if you fancy somewhere different.
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