Tuesday 30 August 2011

Sellers Coffee House - Kent Road

Sellers Coffee House is one of the many new coffee houses opening up in Portsmouth.  More power to the independents!

It is a big job to get the mix just right due to the fierce competition, and a good coffee shop needs that 'Unique Selling Point' we always hear about to win us over.  This place is on the doorstep of another good local Cafe named Mint Tearooms which I visited when it first opened and liked it very much.

Sellers used to be a pub, so it is situated in a rather large space for a coffee shop.  Inside I found it to be lacking that cosy feel that soft furnishings can bring to such a large space.  Perhaps this will come as they become more established, but is needed I feel.  I popped in for a coffee and cake with a girlfriend, but glanced at the food menu on the board.

We both had coffee's, and cakes to eat after much deliberation (because the portion sizes were huge, you could share a piece between two) I opted for the Victoria sponge after being told by the waitress it would be a good choice, and my friend had the carrot cake.  The carrot cake was good, as for my sponge, well I thought it a little dry and I was hoping for a softly fresh whipped cream filling, and instead it was butter cream and jam.  I feel if your going to make homemade cakes to sell to the public, they need to be the best that they can be - regardless of cost, etc.  Nothing tastes better than fresh cream in cakes, does it?

From what I can recall the food menu is small.  The overall impression I get from this place is that it is still finding it's feet and a little in need of direction and a unique identity which could make people flock here.  With that thought in mind I will leave it 6 months or so, and return again to hopefully 'find' the place with something magical.











3 comments:

  1. Having lived next door to what was the wheelbarrow for many years. i was really pleased to see this lovely old building being brought back to life as a coffee house..

    I've been coming here regularly since it opened and have found it only getting better and better..the service, the food, drinks and atmosphere..

    great to see all the new pictures going up to celebrate the birth place of Peter Sellers. Carol, the owner and her staff really make it a warm and friendly place to come and relax with a coffee and a slice of home made cake.

    Really looking forward to trying the cooked breakfast from next week.

    Great to see local businesses opening and making this part of Southsea really worth a visit..

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  2. I visited Sellers Coffee House today with a friend and my dog as I'd heard about the unique doggy corner. I had a Mocha and homemade carrot cake; the coffee was amazing and the carrot cake was the beast that I had ever had. The atmosphere was so chilled we stayed for over an hour. I loved the Peter Sellers photos, and Carole, the owner, showed me the Wheelbarrow history, which is ready to be put up this week. She also informed me that they are extending the menu next week. Cooked breakfast, salads, jacket potatoes and homemade soups,

    I will definately be going back after walking the dog,

    Well done Sellers!

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  3. This is really good news about the menu, and it sounds as if things are getting better by the hour, brilliant! Hope you are a roaring success Carol!

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