As any budding Dave Gorman will know, we live in a world increasingly dominated by the chain. And even if the cafe's not actually called Starbucks, the chances are that it'll be pretending to be one. So full marks to Waffle for specialising in something different: er, waffles.

Big respect to the owner/manager too, very much the face of the shop and straight in there with a professional and friendly first impression. Unlike the previous owner he seems committed to making the place successful. There's now a 'Waffle-garden' with picnic benches and umbrellas, 7-day opening, and (wait for it) a community creative writing group one evening a month. Holy Wordsworth!

So, the good-will is there, what about the food?

Nice Gem and I had a plain waffle with maple syrup (£3.00) and a full cooked breakfast (£4.90) with 2 large cappucinos (£1.80 each). I'm not a big fan of beans (actually I hate the little red buggers) and the friendly proprietor voluntarily offered an extra sausage, bacon rasher or egg. I'd like to see Cafe Brava do that! No complaints about the waffles either: not stodgy, American numbers which set up camp in your stomach for a fortnight, but more like a French waffle. Light, fluffy and delicious.

And if breafast isn't what you're after, there's plenty else on the menu including sandwiches, toasted pannini, savoury waffles, waffles with fresh fruit and (most significantly) waffles with ice-cream.

Logistical notes: open 9-6 but serves coffee from 8am - perfect on the way to work. Furniture and general appearance is always neat and clean. Signor Waffali is a bit like Mr Ben's shopkeeper; he pops up with a glass of water with coffee, offers trashy magazines (where appropriate) and delivers colouring sets for the little `uns.