Breakfast time
Visitors to Hammicks Bookshop in St Peter's Street, St Albans, not only have the opportunity to browse through the latest books, but also to enjoy a cappuccino at the 48-seater Morelli's Cappuccino coffee shop, annexed to the store on the ground floor.
Or for customers "on the move" all items on the menu can be bought as takeaways. The coffee shop is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 11am to 5pm on Sunday. José says Saturdays and Wednesdays are the busiest times, from 10.30am to 2pm, when the local market takes place in St Alban's.
Famous author Sue Townsend recently made a guest appearance to sign copies of her book Adrian Mole, The Cappuccino Years, which coincided with the shop's first anniversary.
José is "on the go" virtually all day as the coffee shop, on average, serves 600 cups of a coffee a day. He says his customers are a cross section, although most are over 40. "We tend to get the younger generation after school."
The coffee served is Greenmay produced by Morelli's. The classic Morelli's Cappuccino, which is the top seller, is a creamy glass of coffee, made using freshly roasted Arabica beans and milk with a rich, fluffy top, served in silver holders.
Morelli's coffee is a blend of 100 per cent Arabica beans (including AA Kenyan) chosen by Marino Morelli, the company's MD.
Altogether, 10 different coffees are on offer. These include Espresso Ristretto served short and strong topped with fresh cream; Espresso Lungo - black - long, not so strong, topped with fresh cream; Cappuccino Mocha - a cappuccino laced with chocolate and Mocha Vienna - a cappuccino laced with chocolate and topped with fresh cream. The coffee varieties are made in a one-year-old Italian machine La Marcocca described by Perez as "brilliant".
Tea is by PG Tips although the coffee shop also serves Twinings speciality teas in Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Camomile and Fruit.
Another house speciality are the exotic hot chocolate drinks, made from Cadbury's Hot Chocolate, 704. These include Chocolate Vienna - hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and Chocolate "Mallo" - hot chocolate served with marshmallow topping. Sugar sticks are by Single Service.
The menu offers a wide range of sandwiches, filled rolls and breads, hot toasted continental bread and rolls and patisserie.
Morelli's also has its own bakery which supplies most of the breads. Baguettes are freshly baked and filled.
One of the most popular items is toasted focaccia bread also produced by Morelli's bakery, served with different fillings.
Croissants with different fillings, such as ham and melted cheese are also popular and Perez tends to buy in a small amount of croissants from Country Choice.
Cakes are also baked at Morelli's bakery. These include cheesecake, passion cake, doughnuts and chocolate orange gateau.
Morelli's is well-known for its ice cream. Altogether, there are 18 varieties made using only double cream, sugar, eggs and milk.
