Café de Vie

Yes, this is Newcastle - despite the address!

And this is our favourite café. Tucked away just off the main shopping street of the city, unpretentious, doesn't do much to advertise itself, but it is just . . . a really good café.
 
It is close the University and we found it first a number of years ago when I was attending lectures in a building not far away. Now it is on the way from the car park to the building where I go to lectures, so I always hope to be passing in time for a cup of the most excellent coffee and perhaps one of their most delicious almond croissants. At the moment we are both attending a morning talk on a Friday and have got into the habit of returning afterwards for lunch - quiche with crisp light pastry, freshly cooked chips and a simple, but nicely made and dressed, salad.
 
French of course! That's why the coffee is good, the food simple, but perfect, and doesn't cost a fortune. It's why they are proper cafe serving all manner of drinks. You get students and older people sitting with coffee and then people can have a glass of wine or beer with their lunch. The place is quiet and relaxing and amazingly is always just abut full, but with a few tables left. No one is ever left waiting for a seat. Service is so efficient, with just two people - one at the bar and one in the kitchen. I don't know how the lady at the bar does it, on her own, but there is never a queue for service and yet tables are always cleared.
 
It is just . . . a really good café. 
And the sun was shining on it this morning!