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[19.10.2020]

Local Spotlight: Robinsons

Local spotlight: Robinsons

 

Located in the centre of York, independent café Robinsons is a hotspot for residents and tourists alike. Since opening in 2016, owners Will and Bex have strived to source the best in local produce that has a short field-to-fork journey.

 

We spoke to Will to find out more.

 

How long have you been open?

Around four years.

 

What is your favourite thing about running a small business?

Being the masters of our own destiny – “Want to change something? Change it!”

 

What does quality mean to you?

It’s everything! Service, ingredients, presentation, atmosphere. We never settle in the pursuit for quality and perfection!

 

What is your favourite way to enjoy milk?

In a flat white, with amazing coffee from our roasters, Lonton, based just outside Barnard Castle.

 

Describe your business in three words.

Passionate, energetic, inclusive.

 

The hardest latte art?

Got to be the swan!

 

Favourite latte art?

A nice clean tulip.

 

Tea or coffee?

Tea first thing, then its coffee until we close, at which time the team will all enjoy a comforting cup of Yorkshire Tea (I’m usually making!).

 

How do you take your tea or coffee?

Coffee is always a flat white, tea needs to be strong & milky (5 min brew).

 

Favourite coffee accompaniment?

We bake all our cakes in house, and for me it has to be our Banana & Caramel Cake.  We are also getting pastries from a fantastic bakery in the center of York called Little Arras. Their croissants are amazing, and we always serve a Special Danish on Saturday, where the flavour changes each week. They go quick!

 

Favourite breakfast item?

If I’m in a rush it has to be poached eggs on toast. I’m a great believer in doing the simple things well. We use eggs from Johnsons Farm, very fresh with the brightest yolks, and our bread is sourdough from Haxby Bakehouse, a beautiful crust and great depth of flavour.

 

Favourite sweet treat?

Pancakes! We serve stacks of American Pancakes. I keep it simple – maple syrup and salted butter from Acorn. Unbeatable.

 

Best sandwich filling?

Bacon from M&K Butchers. They are situated directly opposite us on the High Street, we have a great relationship, and they provide all the meat for Robinsons.

 

Best-selling dish?

We have a few classics at Robinsons that we will never take off the menu. One of the dishes we are most proud of is our sweetcorn fritters – it’s a great brunch dish and not something that you will find in most places.

 

Favourite playlist bands?

Nick Mulvey, The National, Badly Drawn Boy, Catfish & The Bottlemen and The Lumineers are all found on our Robinsons Café Spotify Playlist. I’m on the lookout for new music at the moment too.

 

One thing you wish you could do better?

I wish we were able to accommodate more guests. Most days we have a queue outside for tables, which is an amazing achievement, but being in hospitality I’d love to welcome our guests and be able to look after them all straight away.

 

Keep an eye on our blog for our next Local Spotlight feature!

Caroline Bell