Starbucks

Went there yesterday and, though I hate being so negative, I found the experience appalling. Had an Americano which came served in a mug and it tasted like the watery coffee served up in canteens in the 1980s. Even Costa's Americano is much better.

I called in there yesterday on my break from work. The place is very nicely decorated. I'll admit that I'm more of a tea person but coffee tasted fine to me.

it would seem odd that they wouldn't have applied for the correct planning before opening.

Cork's actually fairly strict about planning.
Compare Cork City to the sprawling mess of West Dublin or to Galway. Cork's still got a definite green belt and distinct satellite towns like Blarney, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Midleton etc

If we'd Dublin or Galway planning they'd have sprawled put from Wilton to Ballincollig rather than building out Ballincollig as a dense town.

Bit of a huge error by starbucks. It would be a shame to see the shop empty tho.

It's surprising the City Council didn't spot it as you can be certain they've calculated rates for the premises!

ongarboy wrote: »

Starbucks opened yesterday in Opera Lane in the Queen Anne building according to their Facebook page.

Looks like they didn't bother with planning permission for this building either.

Once is an oversight, twice is a policy it seems.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/starbucks-in-historical-cork-building-causes-concern-1.2242983

To be honest the historical importance disappeared when it was redeveloped into a shop as part of opera lane.

There's very little "integrity" left to maintain.

It's been a funky clothing outlet for about 5 years without any major protest.

It's basically a facade of a house, let's not get carried away entirely.

I actually think it looks better as a coffee shop and the decor is fairly nice.

As much as I dislike corporate tax avoiders, these kinds of places are fairly essential to the fabric of a modern city.

Having coffee venues open late ish is going to keep the city alive much later into the evenings too.

I found Cork very poor for an after work coffee. Most of the local places still close ridiculously early. Hopefully this might wake a few of them up to the fact that there's an evening time market.

Costa also opened all over the place without any vitriolic anti-corporate response.

As long as Starbucks doesn't open 2 stores on every street like they did in parts of London and the U.S., I'm not really seeing it as any issue.

The change of use thing is a bit weird though. I'd like to know why that's happening ...

chaoskitten_DF wrote: »

Does anyone find the drinks in the Princes' Street cafe to be much weaker and poorer quality compared to other Starbucks? (I know Starbucks isn't the best but the Chai Lattes I've had and the coffee my friends have got in the new Cork one is pretty dreadful and weak compared to any of the Dublin locations).

You should probably let them know directly as that's sounds like they've the recipe wrong.

Of the mega-chains, I actually think Costa serves much better coffee.

However, there's clearly something not quite right with what's being served in Paul Street. It shouldn't be that watery.

Starbucks had to make their coffees stronger in Europe as a few years ago they noted that about 60% of customers were asking for extra shots in the UK and elsewhere.

The French were calling it "le jus de chaussette" (Sock juice)

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

ah OK, I wasn't aware, thanks.

That's why a Starbucks one is several shots.

If you want a good coffee in one of those chains order a flat white.