8/10/2009

I headed here for a quiet lunch on my first day of work in Richmond, scouting out for something both fresh and Yelpable. This place is a little bit hidden, so it seemed just right for it.

I didn't touch the coffee, only the food. They claim it to be fresh, and it does seem that way. You're presented with a few types of salad/pasta, and you basically mix 'n match 3 types together, or use it as sandwich filler, or just get a sandwich from traditional stuff (I don't remember the last option too well, as it was a couple of months ago now).

Given I was after trying something different, I went for a mix of the salads. Or rather, salad and pasta.

It was nothing amazingly inspiring, and I haven't been back since, but it most certainly wasn't bad. It's also one of the few lunches I've ever really had to fill me up so cheaply. They seemed quite busy, so I'm going to assume they do have their little customer base, too. I don't know whether they vary the salads and pastas to keep them from getting too repetitive, but if they do, it could be a pretty good local, too.

Now that I've written this and am thinking about it, I may even go back there this Saturday to see! Damn yooouuuu.

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8/12/2008 1 photo

I drink a lot of coffee. It's definitely the best stimulant you can buy and get a receipt for. Now Alianti calls itself a sandwich and coffee shop and certainly it sells both. I actually haven't had the food bit of its double edged lunch whammy but I have had the coffee here. It's ok, they have a proper machine and all but I think if you are going to specialise in only two things you could do a lot better. Good coffee isn't really that difficult. I mean I know Monmouth uses whole milk only and the best of the best beans but even with semi-skimmed milk and a decent mid range bean you can do a bit better than this place.

Mine was average - a bit too watery and not hot enough. As I say I haven't had the sandwiches and maybe they make up for the coffee with the best salami and comte you could ever put on a wooden board and eat with olives and your fingers. Not terrible of course but a slightly boring interior doesn't really help redeem this average place.

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