An insiders' small essential list of food and drink venues in Cambridge 2011

Coffee geeks can be happy at last in the most thoughtful, passionate, authentic rendition of the coffee bean in Cambridge.

Massaro's 'artisan deli and espresso bar' does everything properly. It is like the small occasional coffee bars you find all over Italy. The shelves are stacked with delicious looking Italian deli treats and you can even sit down and enjoy one of many interesting filled ciabattas amongst other options.

The all important beans are of three types, freshly roasted and blended. When you can see they have taken great trouble to let you know that the milk is unhomogenized, you know these people are serious coffee-heads. Details like that make me happy.The coffee spews out of an extraordinary looking machine that looks like a cross between a beer hand pump and an engine block. When I ordered my macchiato it was like watching the Wizard of Oz at work behind the curtain.

My coffee was served on a charming mini tray accompanied by a small shot of mineral water. Nice touch.

It was great tasting coffee, but it was served luke warm not hot, which bothered me. Also probably due to its location, Massaro's was quiet and lacked the sort of hustle and bustle atmosphere that say Savino's delivers so well, and as a result I felt vaguely depressed sitting it the beautifully crafted seating area. A bit like I was Number 6 in 'The Prisoner', an almost too perfect coffee paradise just lacking reality. I may have visited during a quiet patch, but it was 1pm on a weekday lunch...

Verdict

Come on people, fill this place up. It has the potential to be great. It definitely needs wearing in a bit.

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