Mustard Coffee Shop

Having spent Christmas with family in Norfolk, I found myself stuck in a turkey sandwich and sales shopping limbo. My particular shopping trip yesterday took me deep into the relatively unfamiliar Norwich Lanes where I happened to stumble upon the recently reopened Mustard Coffee Shop. In an effort to revive me in anticipation of another bout of shopping, I stepped inside and had a browse. The thing that instantly struck me when I arrived was that there was literally nothing about Mustard that was ordinary. From the (second to none) customer service, to the embodiment of the shop's heritage. The shop is built on the site of the first ever Collmans shop. This is embraced in every way and the motif is consistent throughout the decor and hinted at without it becoming the shop's focal point.

Mustard quickly establishes itself as something completely different. It has broken out of the mould of the more commercial coffee shops immediately. After chatting to the lady behind the counter, she suggested that I try a flat white coffee. As a coffee novice, for me the coffee spectrum stops at a macchiato and goes right the way through to a latte. Little did I know that there is an amazing little gem in between, simply referred to as the flat white. Now, apologies to the coffee connoisseurs out there for teaching you to suck eggs, but a flat white is as strong as a macchiato only with more milk. When the coffee arrived, I can honestly say that it was the best I'd ever tasted. It was punchy and full of flavour yet as smooth as silk. The quality literally blew my socks off.

I also ordered a piece of freshly made (on site) cheesecake which was, again, utterly divine. My friend ordered a slice of Millionaire Shortbread and a flat white and was equally as impressed. Everything that I tasted or was on display appeared to ooze with freshness just as the specials board oozed homely comforts and winter lovliness. All the food is cooked to order, however which way you like it.

As I said, nothing about this place is ordinary. The owners display art on the walls from local artists. The back wall is covered with a mural depicting the whole 'coffee story' from bean to cup. This fascinating process is brought to life with a wealth of colour and vibrancy. This leads me nicely onto my next point. Mustard roast their own coffee on site which, I'm told, is in itself, quite some achievement. I was so taken with the coffee that I bought a bag to take home with me.

The experimentation and innovation does not stop there. Mustard pays homage to a wealth of different brewing techniques both old and new. Behind the counter is a 'brew bar' where you can select an alternative brewing method for those who prefer something a little different. Or, quite simply, for those who fancied a nosey at how the different methods work.

Anybody would be hard pushed to find fault with Mustard. In fact, you'd have your work cut out finding something that Mustard does not excel in. If I was absolutely forced to part with the tiniest bit of criticism, it would be that the two take away scotch eggs that I left clutching didn't make the journey home. No sooner had I left the car park had I succumbed to temptation and they were gone :-)