The Country Table, Bank Street, Newton Abbot

And while I'm at it, this is another one that feels comfy!  It's had a bit of a facelift in recent years and no longer feels quite so hardcore wholemeal - though it does indeed cater for vegan and gluten free needs.  It's obviously still the place of choice for large numbers of Newtonians. The front seating is round nice tables with nice patterned cloths with nice displays of old china, tastefully lit.  There is more seating through the back, but I confess I have never yet ventured there.  Cakes, coffee, staff all nice.

The Boston Tea Party, Queen Street, Exeter

This is an old favourite!  Usually I'd be sitting in the large upstairs room on an old Sunday School-type chair while others wallowed on old sofas.  But this day I sat downstairs on the bar stools in the window and watched Exeter go by on a rainy lunchtime.  Let others trek up the stairs with their trays and their shopping.
The coffee was good, ditto the coffee and walnut cake.  Going back to the Boston Tea Party feels comfortable, and yet also allows an old person to feel ever so slightly boho, it felt good.

The Pizza Cafe, Queen Street, Newton Abbot

Seeing as I have practically lived in this place over the weekend, I thought I'd better write about it!  It's the natural place (for me) to meet in Newton.  As soon as the question arises it's 'well, let's go to the Pizza Cafe' it seems that everyone else does too.  It's light and bright and friendly and has obviously built up and kept a good reputation over the years.
Friday I went for pizza with a friend (American Graffiti, since you ask) followed by 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' which involved loads of icecream, cinder toffee, maple syrup and mini jelly babies.  The place was pleasantly full of birthday parties and people popping in for takeaway.  The waitresses are young (even younger than policemen I think) but all seemed to know their job and did it well - friendly, customer focussed, efficient.
This evening I popped in for a coffee with a friend and we were made just as welcome.  Actually, the coffee turned into Hot Chocolate on the Rocks which involves icecream, whipped cream, chocolate flakes and mini marshmallows.  It has to be a big cup to allow room for the hot chocolate.  We were in early, but even on a wet Sunday, people were coming in.
Here's hoping 2012 is a good year for the Pizza Cafe!

Breakfast at Tiffany's, Newburn Industrial Estate

I've never seen the film, but I have passed the sign for BaT many times, and so decided to tootle down there recently to see what it was all about.  It's about a small brick built unit that seems to do mainly fry-ups and is obviously very popular with the locals.  I sat with a friend and nursed a cup of tea and a Kitkat and watched while several regulars came in - all greeted in a friendly and cheerful way.  And the chips were real potatoes!  Tiffany was peeling them there right in front of our eyes.  Haway!  It'll have to be a burger next time...

Indoor Craft Fair

Today I was at the Indoor Craft Fair at the Elgin Centre in Gateshead.  Lots of goodies on offer cupcakes, scones, Turkish bakes, cookies.  And a less edible but equally delectable selection of jewellery, beauty products and vintage items, hand woven items and trashion (new expression to me).
So, it was a cup of tea from the centre's tea bar, but who got our custom when it came to the cakes?  It was The Poor Girl's Kitchen - largely thanks to the cheeky banter of the chappie in charge.  The cookies were marvellous - and I think that should earn me a free coconut macaroon next time we meet (assuming they read this, of course!)

The Settle Down cafe, off Westgate Road

This evening I paid a welcome return visit to the Settle Down (first visited with Wombat and Hamster way back last year).  Today I was meeting friends from 2B magazine, and hadn't they chosen their meeting place well!  Although it was after 5pm when I arrived there were still plenty of people in, chat, music (of the nicest kind), relaxed atmosphere and the wonderful aroma of coffee and carrot cake.  I didn't partake myself, but I was assured that the carrot cake was indeed every bit as good as it smelled.
It comfirmed my opinion of the Settle Down as a warm, relaxed community cafe.  In fact I may have to go there to chill out after work more often.

Debenhams coffee shop, Princesshay, Exeter

Pardon me, but is this the most spectacular cafe view in England?  The majestic cathedral in the foreground and the Devon hills behind.  The scones weren't bad either.  The big question is what will John Lewis make of the old Debenhams building?  Will there soon be another cafe on the sixth floor with panoramic views?

The Coffee House, St Marychurch precinct, Torquay

OK, I know I don't have to do this any more, but it's still a need, and this one was great.
After a walk (see a walk a week) brother and I decided on a cup of tea.  You are quite spoilt for choice in the Babbacombe/St Marychurch area for tea shops, even on a bank holiday (could be another year's worth, I reckon).  The Coffee House took our fancy and we made a good choice.
Inside it was light and bright, wood flooring, small tables and upholstered chairs.  The walls were zingy green and warm orange.  There was even a labyrinth painted on one, which only sent them up in my estimation.  There was three kind of zones, if you like - takeaway icecream, coffee shop, restaurant.  You ordered at the counter (signs making this clear) and then the food was brought to the table.  We had very nice cake - pear, almond and chocolate tart, and chocolate refridgerator cake - and a pot of tea each - enough for three good cups each - all served on matching white china.

So, good price, cheerful and unusual decor, a great setting, and good service.  We were glad we came!