HOLBROOK'S Online

Holbrook's One year old celebration!!!

One year on and Holbrook's has really taken off. It's been hard work for the Holbrook's team but we are all very proud of what we have achieved.

Thank you to all our loyal customers, friends and family who have supported Holbrook's and everybody involved over the last twelve months. We couldnt have done it with out any of you.

We will be throwing a champaign celebration on Saturday the 6th of September (at Holbrook's from 6pm) for everybody, we look forward to seeing you there.

Many thanks

Benx

Shaker Shack - Somthing special

Shaker Shack - 65 Newton Road,Mumbles, Swansea Wales, UK SA3 4BL Tel: 01792 368378

www.shakershack.co.uk

Shaker Shack has been described as a little Aladdins cave of beautiful furniture, homespun gifts, quilts, candles, scented goods and American folk art. They stock a wide range of Yankee Candles, McCall Candles and Barn Candles and with a strong focus on customer care, will even help you source what ever you re looking for!

So next time you are taking a stroll through Mumbles, be sure to pop in and take home somthing special.

What can coffee do for you?

It prevents some diseases of our time:
It reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetis and gout. It is due to the caffeine content of coffee or the antioxidants in it, as it is known that coffee is the no. 1 source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances in food which could prevent or slow oxidative damage to human body.

Alertness and mood:
The caffeine content in coffee could increase the speed of rapid information processing by 10%. A cup of coffee after lunch helps to counteract the normal 'post lunch dip' in ability to keep concentration and alertness.

Depression and Anxiety:
The coffee and its caffeine content can reduce depression and anxiety if you drink it moderately. It also improves vigilance and concentration, and lowers fatigue. But if you drink too much coffee per day it could raise stress levels.

It is a good social drink:
A cup of coffee could be a very good reason to go out and meet new people, or just hang out with friends.

Crumbles catering - Kate Jenkins - Luxury Brownies

Brownies!

As stated previously, at Holbrook's we like to support local business and provide local products to our customers. We also like to offer the very best and Kates Brownies are THE perfect example. Not only are they literally selling like hot cakes, but they have been awarded with the prestigious true taste of Wales award .

Kate says "We provide the ultimate dining option, whether it is a weekly family dinner, entertaining friends or a special event. Crumbles caters for all with the emphasis on real home made food."

Why not review us?

If you have been to HOLBROOK'S and have had an enjoyable or un enjoyable experience (hopefully not un enjoyable) then why not write about it?

We believe that every body has a right to their own opinion and we would love to know what you think!

To write a review please CLICK HERE

Our 4 Star rating!!

HOLBROOK'S has recently been awarded with a 4 Star rating for health and hygene. A government initiative to allow customers to see exactly how much business's care about their premises.

Mission
To promote Food Safety and empower Consumer choice by making available information to which the Public has a right to access under Freedom of Information Legislation.

Through:

To promote Food Safety and empower Consumer choice by making available information to which the Public has a right to access under Environment Information Regulation Legislation.
A Best Value method for any Local Authorities to meet their public access obligations under current and future legislation.
A visible, cost effective and well-publicised means of encouragement for improved standards amongst catering establishments.

You may have already seen the sign that is in the window "Scores on the doors, 4 star!!! We are extremely happy with our rating and aiming at getting the full five stars next year!!

HOLBROOK'S
ultimate coffee experience

Technique!!

I would like to talk a little bit about what really makes a premium cup of coffee. When you are drinking an espresso based coffee such as a cappuccino or latte you may be forgiven for thinking that the quality relies on the quality of the bean.

Although good beans are a good start, the technique and precision a coffee barista (coffee professional) are equally if not more important. A skilled barista is the equivalent to the coffee shop as highly trained chef is to a restaurant. A chef may have access to the finest and freshest of ingredients but that does not necessarily mean he/she is capable of creating anything out of the ordinary.

So many factors affect the quality of the final product. Even the room temperature affects the quality of the crema and can easily cause over or under extraction. Bitter coffee isn’t just caused by the bean, it’s caused by the way its ground, tampered and dosed. Milk foaming is an art in itself and I cant ever imagine feeling that I had mastered it.

So I ask you, next time you order your latte or cappuccino or even an espresso, try and watch you barista and judge for your self, does he/she look like she enjoys what she is doing, is there a passion for coffee? Is your drink put together without care and pride? Or, is he/she missing the point? Don’t be fooled into thinking that the more expensive it is, the better it is. This is the oldest trick in the book and often used to pull the wool over your eyes.

Many of you may think this is all a load of mumbo jumbo and maybe I am just a coffee geek, after all, coffee is just coffee right? But a few of you will know what I am talking about, and you will know that when you find a place that serves you that “perfect” Cappuccino, its like finding buried treasure.

Ben Holbrook
Holbrook’s Coffee House
Union Street
Swansea

Swopsys@HOLBROOK'S!!!

Hello!!!!!!!!

Well, at long last, a date has been set for HOLBROOK'S first book swopping evening!!!

Thursday the 15th of November @Holbrook's Coffee House, Union street, Swansea. Bring any unwanted books, cds, records, comics, text books etc. from 6.30pm onwards. Any questions please dont hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Ben Holbrook

ONE MONTH OLD!!!

WOW!!! Its hard to believe but today HOLBROOK'S is one month old!!!

The weeks have flown by and we have rapidly built a solid foundation of some of the nicest customers we could have wished for.

I would like to take this moment to say thanks to everybody who has supported us and been understanding of me not being very sociable and somtimes maybe a little boring. Its been hard but its been rewarding.

Remember though, we will never stop trying to be the best and improving so any suggestions or comments that you have to offer us,,please fire away!!!

Take care and see you soon!!

PS WE ARE OPEN ON SUNDAYS!!!!

Ben

An email we are greatful to have recieved!!

An email we recently recieved!!

Dear All,

Just a quick note of appreciation to you all. Having returned from holidays last week and then a recent conference, it was a big surprise to see your new coffee house in Swansea.

Swansea has long been in need of such a coffee house where personal customer care is important.

We "tried" out the service initially this morning with a coffee and tea, and were impressed enough to return for a toasted sandwich and panini later.

Many thanks to you all for all your help and care.

Our visit was memorable, and we see ourselves as regular customers from today.

Best wishes for the future to you all,

Rowland Thomas

MORNING DELIGHT @ HOLBROOK'S

For busy people on the run, why not try our take out special!!

A large take out cup of our finest fairtrade Cappuccino or Latte
&
2 slices of our thick sliced toast with butter & jam. (brown or white)

All for only £2.50

Available to take out only everyday between 7.30am & 11am!!

Hope everybody is well !
Ben

Fresh, local producers - Fuller Flavour

As a small company, at HOLBROOK'S we like to support other small, local business. We will not however, allow this to defer from the HOLBROOK'S principles of Quality and Value.

We are lucky enough to have built an excellent working relationship with a local producer "Fuller Flavour ". The food that Fuller Flavour provide to HOLBROOK'S is of the finest quality availble and to prove it, it has won the prestigious True Taste Awards.

Opening Hours

Just to let everybody know. HOLBROOK'S is open from 7.30am to 6pm every day except for Sundays which we open 10.30am to 4pm.

During holiday periods such as Christmas we will be open till late for all you late night shoppers!

Hope everybody is well.

Ciao

Ben Holbrook

Byron Bay Cookies

At HOLBROOK'S, you can buy the famous Byron Bay Cookies which are made all the way in Australia!!

To start with, there will be three types of cookies.

1. Triple Chocolate Fudge 2. Lemon & macadamia 3. Gluten free choc chunk and macadamia

HOLBROOK'S SIZE

With the emphasis on value and quality, HOLBROOK'S Coffee always comes in one size, and thats large!!! (unless you want a smaller cup)

We dont charge you the earth for this. At Starbucks or Costa Coffee you will pay 1.95 for a small Cappucino which is around 10 to 12 oz. Our Cappucino is £1.75 and thats for a 15oz size, the equivalant to most places largest size!!

But dont think we compramise on quality to do this. We use only the finest Fairtrade coffee beans all the time, every time!! When we say we believe in value and quality, we mean it.

Quality, value and affordable luxury, thats what HOLBROOK'S is all about.

Opening date!!

The last month (of august 07) has been an incredible experience for everybody involved with HOLBROOK'S Coffee House. Its taken determination and shear hard work to achieve what we believe to be the perfect Coffee House.

HOLBROOK'S will be open on the 3rd of September so make a note in your diary and we will see you then!

Ben Holbrook

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