Tony M.
Google
What a difference a year makes. Original 4 star text below. In there today, 30 Sep 23, and it was a much worse experience. They were busy, but it was unfriendly and slow service probably because of the stress. I wasn't engaged with any kind of welcome or pleasantries, not even a smile or greeting, it was all business. I didn't mind waiting for my order, but half the order came out and the second half had clearly been forgotten about. No "here's your drinks and cake, your bap will be just a minute" I had to chase it. By the time the bap did arrive, everyone else had finished and had to sit and watch me eat alone. Not sure what happened today, but if I were to base it on today alone, I wouldn't go back, which is a real shame.
I was saying to my wife that Andover is missing a really nice, independent coffee shop that you can sit in and just watch the world go by. Andover is filled with the big branded, emotionless chain places but lacks a friendly place that you can have a nice sandwich and cake and forget about life for a while.
I think No 78 can be that place. The guys were really friendly, the Brie, Bacon, and Chutney toastie I had was great, and to be able to sit outside was lovely, but inside had plenty of comfortable space too. But, and if I'm mistaken about this I'll bump it up to 5 stars, there didn't seem to be an option to have a fully create your own sandwich or toastie or bagel. It seemed like a predefined menu and what was there was all that was available. I'd like to be able to choose my own fillings.
Other than that, loved it and will definitely be back.
