Coffee Shops 2 - More Q's

[Epiphany74]

Awww, thanks guys. You are so helpful. Some of the answers have made me think of other questions, so bear (bare?) with me:

Cups v Mugs? China Doll thinks good china cups, but Cheeky Star says proper mugs. I was going to introduce a good big mug as I hate those wide shallow cups that let your tea go cold too quickly. Any opinions on this?

Games? IggyB made some suggestions for board games. My partner is v. keen to have chess, but I say dominoes. Any thoughts?

Cake Slices v Wedges? There is some debate in our household on this point. Supernick and Hubby say wedges of cake. I was thinking slices. Is it a gender thing?

Finally, there were a couple of posts about looking after mums and kids. What should I put on a kids menu in a coffee / sandwich shop?

[caz21]

I say Mugs, but not thick ones as they are hard to get your mouth round! i don't like round boat shaped cups with tiny handles you burn your middle finger on the cup! nasty!

i also say cake wedges and i'm a girl if it helps!

Not sure about the other two!

[redcrx]

I cant easily say about kids food as my son is only 1 year old. you could have some baby food jars available. Buy organic ones and have say 3 flavours for 6months plus and 3 for 8 months plus. Organic yoghurts are fine too.
Use brown bread without sugar added (amazing how many brands have sugar) and offer baby sandwiches cut small, philedelphia (full fat), cheese, marmite (some love it) fresh fruits cut small etc etc.
Toddlers and older children will like different things to my son so other mums will be able to assist with that.
Also its wise to check what health and satety and food hygeine state about heating home made food for babies. Some restaurants and cafes will supply water to heat but will not allow it on table for fear on scalding. Others refuse to heat food that is home made in case of food poisoning but will warm unopened jars.

[kazza12345]

have both types, then the mug people are happy and the cup people are happy. Whats the difference between a wedge and a slice of cake?

[fee-is-me]

I like a mug when i am really thirsty and it takes longer to drink so chatting seems more relaxed. But as was mentioned - not a chunky one.

Dominoes sounds inspired! I love that idea!

Personal opinion is WHOLE cakes... the bigger the better... forget about slices or wedges... give me a great big creamy 10" diameter cakey and i'm happy... or if i am being more lady-like(?)... slices.

I don't have children, but would imagine they would like WHOLE cakes too...?!

I'm hungry now.

[China Doll]

Proper mugs would work too.... just as long as it's not the paper or plastic stuff. Definately agree with the idea not using wide shallow cups as they do make your drink go cold.

No opinion on cake.... but blueberry muffins (big ones!) should definately be included... or cranberry muffins, they're good too.

I think little bags of fruit for kids or semi-skimmed milk-shakes or something... everyones gone a bit mad over kids eating bad stuff.

[beryllium]

Hi Epiphany, i had a 24 cover cafe/diner and truly we used super vitrified china. Why? because of the amount of use it gets and the amount of washing it has to go through.

I will give a hint though. Some people are dairy intolerant, so stock soya milk.

Best of Luck...

B. xxxx

[unruliejulie]

got to be a mug for me!!!! I can't stand tea cups, waste of time. as for kids, it would be nice to have jacket potatoes with scrummy fillings. I get sick of the whole chicken nuggets or Pizza thing. My son would enjoy those or some sort of pasta. More of a healthy option as opposed to the usual stuff. Not sure about the cake thing but cream cakes are good!!!!!!

[beryllium]

forgot to add i used flavoured syrups, ie raspberry, marshmallow, irish coffee etc.... some folks, specially my sis in law, used to like hot frothy milk with raspberry syrup in it..... and some folks like coffees with flavours in. Your coffee supplier should be able to supply these aswell as your coffee beans, we used cafe creme for espresso etc, and we ground them on the premises.

If you are serving hot lunches too, make sure you keep the salt and peppers where you are. They will get nicked!!!....

[~posy-jo~]

definately mugs. first refil maybe 1/2 price? cake wedges, definately set an area aside for parents. bit more space between tables for buggies. some toddler chair things that attach to the dining chair suggested earlier is a good idea. as reguard to things for children to eat - biscuits, lunch boxes - small sandwich, crisps, jelly or yoghurt maybe and a carton of juice or something similar to a fruitshoot. also have a bottle warmer for babies bottles. and either have a supply of baby food or make it known that parents can bring their own.
games are a good idea, i love dominoes, i can't play chess but think that is a good idea too, also maybe backgammon and a pack of cards.
how about smoothies, hot chocolate with cream and a flake (my favourite) and milkshake?
sorry i've gone a bit mad!! just thought about what i would like xXx

[~posy-jo~]

just wondering where u r and where ur shop is? xXx

[raysparx]

Why can't you have china cups for tea and mugs for coffee, wedges of cake,slices seems mean, cant stand chess, i would have draughts or little puzzle games on the tables like they do in the states, where you have to move little sticks in holes or move marbles(like draughts but very small), hope it works, Ray

[Echo]

-Mugs

-Chess

-Slices please

-For kids, anything covered with chocolate would be good, I guess

[spudqueen]

I know I don't drink tea or coffe, but I would have thought mugs for coffee and china cups for tea.

I agree with Ward~Minter - call them slices but make them wedges!

For children - cheese on toast, egg mayonnaise/ham/plain cheese/cheese spread sandwiches, jacket potatoes with cheese or beans, spaghetti bolognaise, omlette, fairy cakes, yoghurt, milk shakes.

[spudqueen]

Forgot to mention that my Auntie would say don't skimp on the tea bags and proper tea pots and proper milk.

[nect4r]

Oh that reminds me, pleeeease make sure you have Splenda (or equivalent, but Splenda is the best) as an alternative for sugar. My partner is diabetic and we left a coffee shop due to this (they had no sweetener, and we'd forgotten ours). Plus for people who would rather not use sugar, I use Splenda all the time myself anyway as it tastes pretty much the same!

[Cheekystar]

Nice big deep mugs, cake wedges no skimping, lots of calories!!!

Have chess, maybe have a board ingrain or stuck to the table?

Maybe have choc / cinnamon shakers on the table,

[gazzawazza]

Nice mugs with thick sides that are nice on your mouth.
I wouldn't have dominoes as they make a lot of noise when being shuffled, and when I go in a coffee shop I want a nice relaxing drink with a piece of cake or a lovely cream scone.
One thing that annoys the life out of me is those metal teapots that leak all over the place. DON'T USE THEM!!!

[bigsister]

I too like a thin mug. What a good idea re Chess (can't play) or Cribbage which I love, but dont know anyone to play with. where in Sussex are you Ward-Minter?
Don't want to sound a misery, but now I'm retired I often go to coffee shops for a quiet read, but the noise of the kiddie winkies really drive me mad. Why dont Mums train children how to behave when out. If I had the money i would open a Games 7 Coffee shop for adults only.