Esquires Ambleside – Climbing High

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We like to think of our regular customers as part of our family. But we never knew that three of our customers- Cara Grisedale, Patrick Neech and Nick Howard- would take a part of US on their final expedition of university!! Check out the picture and see us on top of Ben Nevis!!!

Unfortunatley, Cara and Patrick have completed uni and left Ambleside but we wish them all the best for the future. Fortunatley, Nick is still in town so we can keep his energy levels up with his daily Latte’s.

Esquires Ambleside – Bulletin

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Guten Tag!!!

You can tell Spring is here when our notice board becomes full of posters offering this and that. Jo knows it’s Spring when she can open her back door; Matt knows it’s Spring when the tree’s are blossoming and Jen knows it’s Spring when she thinks it’s a clever idea to burn her back whilst sunbathing at the first sight of sun. But what puts a Spring into your step? Little lambs in the fields, Easter Eggs filling our shop shelves or the oddities that seem to spring up in the shops such as water pistols or frisbees? We’d like to know!

Can You Guess What It Is Yet?

We have lots going on in the upcoming weeks. Nalini, Jo and Simon are practicing for a Latte Art competition ran by our Head Office. They all have one theme in mind so we’ll let you be our first set of judges! Easter isn’t that long around the corner so we have a few treats for you with that- a Guess How Many Chocolate Coffee Beans competition, our famous Sweetie Tree has made an apt return and we also have a “Mix and Match Milkshake” where you bring the main ingredient for your milkshake (cream egg, mars bar or anything that takes your fancy) and you get 10% off when you take advantage of this offer. The Grand National is also coming up too and we’ll be hosting a Sweepstake so keep an eye out for that or ask Jen if you want to participate.

Technologic

You all should know now that we’ve joined Facebook and Twitter, so don’t forget to add us as a friend or follow us @AmblesideCoffee. Great offers up for grabs and you can keep up to date with what’s going off down here in the shop.

Not Just Coffee…

With this heat outside I’m sure you need a refreshing drink to keep you hydrated and to cool you down! So whilst browsing the menu, take a look at the far right side of the menu to check out our cooling beverages. You can also add a syrup to most of the iced drinks to create a flavoursome boost!

Room on the Move?!

The room has proven a huge success with bookings averaging out at approximately 2 per week. We have a youth club, line dancing, a fitness club and also private ninja meetings (or that is my interpretation of them). So if you need a room for free, then let us know the date and we’ll get you booked in! Maybe you have a room already on your very own premises though, and in need of caffeinated refreshments? Well we’ve got a cart with everything that you need to recreate your own Esquires at your function. Just ask one of the members of staff and we’ll explain further on how we can make this work for you!

Art Gallery

Ok, last but not least. Not exactly an art gallery as per say, but none the less. We have two artists by the names of Laurie and Gary who show their pictures in our upstairs room. Both have excellent landscape shots of places from around the Lake District and we are selling them on behalf of these two inventive chaps. If you have any queries then we will be glad to help!

Thank you for taking the time to read our bulletin,

Esquires Ambleside

Esquires Ambleside – Singlehanded Sailor

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After making jokes about boats, and humming songs such as “What Do We Do With The Drunken Sailor”, the time has come to say goodbye to our resident clown James. This is his last weekend before he embarks on his mission to sail around the equator (that’s the easier way of putting it!). We’ve learnt a lot about our young James; learnt his tickelish spots and that he has a habit of never learning that the shelves are at his head height. So lets ensure he gets a decent send off!!!

Esquires Ambleside – Bulletin

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Howdy!

Has everyone had a good February so far? We’ve had the Half Term week, we’ve had Valentine’s Day and then there’s Pancake Day (but Nalini says we should have Pancake Day once a month!) Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m in serious need of a coffee after this busy period! We have had quite a few eventful weeks, what with the snow and then that yellow thing in the sky (the sun I believe it’s called), and we have many more coming up too.  So let’s see what’s happening, right here at Ambleside Esquires!!!

Rugby 6 Nations

Those of you who like their Rugby but don’t fancy going to the pub or getting moaned at by the other half for slobbing it out in front of the TV on a weekend, well we will be doing offers for you whilst it’s on. Anyone notice our nice massive TV upstairs? Well we will be showing the rugby on that and what better way to enjoy it other than our fantastic “2 beers and a pizza” offer? £10 will get you that deal but make sure you have a look on our notice board for when the deal is on!

Technologic

You all should know now that we’ve joined Facebook and Twitter, so don’t forget to add us as a friend or follow us @AmblesideCoffee. Great offers up for grabs and you can keep up to date with what’s going off down here in the shop.

He’ll Sail This Ship Alone…

There comes a time when we have to say goodbye to staff, and welcome new ones. And during the month of March, James is setting sail to embark on a new adventure to train as a Mega Yatch Captain (hence the boat puns!). Let’s just hope they don’t give him too big a boat! So as we wave him off, we say ‘Ahoy there Matey’ to new boy Matt! So let’s be nice to him, at least for the first week or two!

Coming Up…

As you can gather, there’s someone missing in our work force. Simon has gone for his operation, so we did have to cancel the recent Coffee Workshop event, however we will be hosting it in April. We also have Fairtrade Fortnight coming up, which is a very important thing to us here at Esquires, and we have so much more coming up too!

Got an Event?

We are now the proud new owners of a transportable Esquires coffee cart. So if YOU have something coming up… whether it be a meeting in a dull office building or a fair in the wilderness, maybe even a kids party, then get in touch and we can help recreate your Esquires experience right on your door step…or wherever you want it! We can do the whole shebang that we do in your favourite coffee house, including those rather delicious milkshakes!

Art Gallery

Ok, last but not least. Not exactly an art gallery as per say, but none the less. We have two artists by the names of Laurie and Gary who show their pictures in our upstairs room. Both have excellent landscape shots of places from around the Lake District and we are selling them on behalf of these two inventive chaps. If you have any queries then we will be glad to help!

Read all about it!

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We were quite shocked when we got a phone call from our local paper, the Westmorland Gazette, asking if we’d do a coffee workshop for them. Haven’t they got enough on their plate creating Newspaper articles? Well we got straight onto it… and we not only showed them, but shocked them into realizing how much hard work goes into that perfect cup of JO!

Here is what was said in the newspaper article:

“”Skinny lattes, Americanos, mocha-chocoa-chinos…the l of coffee can be a daunting place. Despite the industry being worth 10 billion dollars a year, finding the perfect cup of coffee can still be a challenge.Reporter KATE PROCTOR signed up for a Barista training course at Esquires Coffee Shop in Ambleside in a bid to learn just what goes into preparing the nations fastest growing drink.

“With machinery clinking, temperature gauges rising and a hazy mist of steam, head Barista Simon Dann appears to be a master at work. Silver milk jugs must be heated to perfection, coffee beans ground and the perfect espresso poured before being transformed into various sized lattes and cappucinos. Timing and an air of calm are key- as one wrong move could spell disaster!

“There’s a lot more to making a cup of coffee than people think- it really is an art form but it’s not hard something everyone can learn,” said Simon, who has worked at Ambleside’s Esquires Coffee Shop for two years. And he’s right; after 20 minutes of watching him at work I was terrified at the idea of getting behind the counter and have a go.

Contrary to what I though, we started with the milk- which depending how it is prepared, will transform your espresso into a latte or cappucinno. For a cappucinno it is put through the steamer and heated to 70C and filled with bubbles until it expands it’s size by two thirds. This is then left to stand while a double shot espresso is prepared by filling a device called a group head with freshly ground coffee.

Esquires uses beans from Fairtrade co-operatives in Peru, Sumatra, Honduras and Tanzania, expertly roasted in the UK. Coffee once it is ground only has a life span of 20 to 25 minutes, which is why we grind coffee here little and often. “I can tell if coffee has been left in the grinder for longer because it will taste bitter.” Hot water is then passed through the grouphead to create the espresso, which must have a perfect caramel coloured topping. With a steady hand, I topped up the coffee with the foamy milk- and no chocolate sprinkles, that’s not the true Italian way!

For a latte the aim is to create a milky foam, but with as few bubbles in as possible. This is quite a skill as the milk needs to be frothed on an angle. Pour the milk onto the espersso in a circular motion and leave enough foamy milk to create some show-stopping latte art. As I was feeling keen I learned how to create a leaf shape in the froth- not bad for my first Barista attempt!”"

Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone…

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Nalini, one of the many mad hatters here at Esquires of Ambleside, is jetting off to the warmer climate of Tenerife for a fortnight tomorrow. We reckon she thinks she’s there for she’s upbeat and all smiles! Lets just hope she brings back some of that sun and a nice stick of Rock!

Toblerone Pastry…Yum Yum!

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We have a delicious Toblerone Pastry which is soon to be hitting our coffee house. What better way to start the day then a continental breakfast with a bit of chocolate thrown in for good measure?

Don’t forget the coffee!

Esquires Ambleside – Bulletin

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AMBLESIDE BULLETIN

Happy New Year!

Did anyone else notice or was it just us that last year went by at lightening speed? We now greet the year 2012 with a warm, welcome hug; just like, metaphorically speaking, we welcome all our customers with! I hope you all had a terrific Christmas period, and we don’t advocate this, but did any of you over indulge? If you have any space in those tummies, then let’s not forget about our scrumptious cakes and warm puddings!

Hurricaine Hot Chocolate?

I’m no expert, but this weather has led me to believe that we have a hurricane going on out there. With those treacherous winds has come our new hot chocolate range, which we believe will be down to a T. Whether you want a minty one or maybe a fruity one with a splash of orange in, we sure can cater for your taste buds! Don’t forget we can also fling in a shot of coffee to make it into a Mocha which will surely kick start your day! We will also be launching our new Hot Chocolate also- keep an eye on this space!

Technologic

We are now officially online, with our website connecting you via the likes of Facebook and Twitter. Go onto www.esquires.com and locate your favourite Cumbrian coffee house. That way you’ll be able to keep up to date with all our shenanigans, offers and also have a bit of fun and banter! Don’t forget to tell your friends about us as well for we shall be rewarding you for keeping up to date with our posts!

Coming Up…

We have lots of fun coming up this year, not only in the UK (a little birdie told me we are hosting the Olympics?) but also here at Esquires of Ambleside. For those of you who are loved up, we are already in the process of getting ready for Valentines Day. We have our famous Large (massive should do it justice) Chocolate Cupcake which we believe will be a perfect treat for your lady in waiting. We are also having a “Sweetie Tree”… this is like a Christmas Tree, but with a twist!

Got an Event?

We are now the proud new owners of a transportable Esquires coffee cart. So if YOU have something coming up… whether it be a meeting in a dull office building or a fair in the wilderness, maybe even a kids party, then get in touch and we can help recreate your Esquires experience right on your door step…or wherever you want it! We can do the whole shebang that we do in your favourite coffee house, including those rather delicious milkshakes!

Art Gallery

Ok, last but not least. Not exactly an art gallery as per say, but none the less. We have two artists by the names of Laurie and Gary who show their pictures in our upstairs room. Both have excellent landscape shots of places from around the Lake District and we are selling them on behalf of these two inventive chaps. If you have any queries then we will be glad to help!

We got skills…

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