The Spoon Cafe

After a trip to the doctors to have my blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked, of course I went to get something fried! What else? So off I toddled into the Trongate to see what munchable goodies were abroad. Admittedly, I’d always walked by Spoon. I don’t know why… probably because I’m usually heading somewhere when I pass it by. But today I had nowhere to be, so I popped in and plopped myself down.
Looking at the menu, I was in for my first surprise. The café is a Social Enterprise Café run by the Unity Enterprise project, and its purpose is to support adults with learning difficulties in a working environment. I love businesses that do good in the community! It practically guarantees my return business.
Surprise number two was just how cheap everything turned out to be for the city centre! But then, as the name suggests, it *is* a greasy spoon… still great, though. I had myself a lovely egg and tattie scone roll — my favourite — and a hot chocolate. It was a relaxing place to be, so I just lingered as long as I dared, seeing as the weather was miserable outside. Nobody tried to hurry me away, which is always appreciated.
The staff are all very sweet. I actually walked out without paying, and nobody had realised! I got two steps away and realised my awful mistake, returned red faced confessing ‘I DIDN’T PAY YOU!!’ The server just smiled and laughed with embarrassment as she hadn’t noticed.
A nice stop when you’re out for a shop. Pop in for a quick munch or a brew. You’ll be glad you did. :)

There are some days when you want a leisurely breakfast, eggs benedict perhaps, with a steaming mug of fresh coffee and the morning paper. You find a quiet spot in the corner of a café and emerge an hour or so later.
Then there are times when you just want caffeine and a roll and sausage with no fanfare. For the latter, I’d heartily recommend Spoon (was Travelling Spoon, same place, different name).
The décor is pleasantly kitsch, with recycled furniture including a church pew and old sofas. It’s a nice space, bright and airy and positioned on a corner, so if you do want to while away the hours doing some people watching it’s perfect.
I ordered my roll and sausage and a white coffee, the latter being delivered in a hearty mug, with a tea spoon already plonked in there ready for stirring. No airs and graces and it’s all the better for it (why don’t more places use mugs? does ANYONE drink coffee at home from those awful little cups with handles you can’t even get one finger through???).
The coffee was palatable, the roll and sausage tasty enough without being memorable, but I wasn’t expecting anything special. If you venture into Spoon with the same mindset I’m sure you’ll be fine.
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Note: the café is run as part of the Unity Enterprise project, with the main aim to help people gain experience; «Confidence is the main aim of the projects and therefore helping with social inclusion».

Right down the bottom of the city, there is a tea room, no ordinary tea room, its a big red tea room called Spoon! Spoon works on a concept that I had never encountered before in Scotland. Spoon works with Unity charity to help disabled people in work.
This is the unique selling point for Spoon, it has ethics, and this is why I didn’t walk past. Spoon was more suited to someone older than me I think, with quite a limited menu, but I did enjoy being there. I like being around people who are happy and feel happy about what they have and what they are doing, this is what you can get from Spoon. The tea is tea, the tables are tables but the cause and the seller. I wish their were more places in the city like this that could make differences.

Spoon, set in the heart of the Trongate and at the back end of the Merchant City, not only offers homemade food at affordable prices but it is a lesser known fact that this tearoom is also connected to a charity!
The shop, despite its location, wasn’t that busy until the owner decided to paint its front red instead of blue. Now the place is rightfully flooded at the weekend, and does steady business during the week. It’s a nicely decorated, clean tea room with friendly staff, delicately designed bunting in the windows enticing people in for high tea, and it offers quaint and chintzy surroundings. The feel inside the café is laid back and cozy, with a vast arrary of tea pots displayed around the shop and an assortment of cushions to lounge back on. The personal touches make it feel homely, welcoming and individual. All food and drinks are homemade, with the menu offering a good selection with very affordable prices (especially compared to surrounding businesses). There’s a large tea selection which keeps me happy, and food is made up fresh at the counter so you’re not being served packaged sandwiches that have festered in the fridge for days. There’s a full choice of fillings on offer for sandwiches, and a healthy living incentive so you know what you’re buying is good for your ticker, too.
But what makes Spoon great is the work it does with the Unity charity. Both work together with the pledge to include and indeed promote people with disabilities living within the community. Spoon thus offers people with both physical and learning difficulties a high level of responsibility within employment with the aim of finding the people within the program further employment and social opportunities in the future. It seems like a great work environment with a strong work ethic and the guy who serves me when I’m in couldn’t be more friendly or helpful. He seems to really enjoy his job which is always a bonus! When you go into Spoon you’re guaranteed good food and great customer service (and awesome teapots). From a coffee shop you can’t ask for much more than that!