Blake's Coffee House

Almost an institution

Food

Service

Atmosphere

Frequented by a jarring mix of students and suits, Blake's does have a nice atmosphere when it isn't packed as tight as a slightly steamy snare drum and seems to have a Bohemian feel when there is little Bohemian about the clientelle. The wooden chairs wobble delightfully and the iron-legged tables are the heaviest objects outside of a collapsed star. The food is generally very good and actually brilliantly selected, catering (literally) for both the health-conscious and the circumferentially-challenged. Sandwiches, baguettes, salads, quiche, imaginative Indian food, big English breakfasts, and a very good vegetarian range which occasionally includes the delicious veggie sausages in veggie gravy with mashed potato. Yumkins!. The choice can be very disappointing if you arrive after the big lunchtime rush, but otherwise is jolly good. The staff serve pretty quickly, no matter how busy, and seem to be unceasingly cheerful and efficient. Perhaps a little too busy to be the Newcastle institution some claim, but I very much recommend the place. Oh, and it's nice and central on the very impressive Grey Street.