The Coffee Shop Sherfield — Restaurant in Basingstoke and Deane

H28 was a lovely little coffee stop/Post Office. One of our favs. Hence 5 star. However it recently changed ownership / New name, now called The Coffee Shop. Popped in recently to see what it's like under new ownership. Initial thoughts were good. Nice coffee and cakes. Had parked the car in the adjacent layby at the front nearest the door. Whilst sat in the new outdoor seating area enjoying my coffee, an older lady came out asking whose car it was. In a loud voice she made it clear repeatedly that it was a dropped kerb for disabled access and asked for the car to be moved into the street opposite. It was rather embarrassing that she made her point so loudly as if to humiliate me for all the patrons could hear. It felt like I was being scolded. I was more than happy to move the car to which I did without fuss but what annoyed me most was that she in fact made me move in order for the postal van to park there in the very same spot to collect the days post. Why not just ask if I could move for the postie. I found that quite rude. Witnessed by all the patrons! Anyway I wasnt impressed. FYI the official drop kerb for disabled access is on the corner by the junction literally a few steps anyway which wasnt obstructed in any way. No signs nor any official markings on the road to suggest access point or no parking! Locals will know and you only have to google street view it to see what I mean. So for the humiliation and embarassment for which I did no wrong I doubt I'll return again nor shall I recommend. Used to be a regular haunt for us and...

They have a wide range of food here, I really like their avocado 🥑 on toast, they just make it right, I hate it that everywhere you go they mix chillis🌶 into the avocado, I don't want chilli so normally I have to go without, here it's plain unless you pay a little extra to have some which selfishly works for me, it comes on toast, 2 perfectly poached eggs (I know eggs, you'd think it's not hard but actually it's hard to eat out and get a perfectly poached egg, it's always hard, poached should be runny, and that's what you get here), and lovely cooked cherry tomatoes. It really is lovely, and I have had this both times I've been. We then share a cake as they have quite a big selection. The staff are really helpful...

Chic, no doubt popular bistro- style coffee shop plus with appetising cake treats and reasonable coffees, slightly let down by unengaging service from young staff who seem not to notice customers- very little conversation.

I was waiting for several minutes whilst three staff busied themselves on phones, other preparations, even a young long- lashed young woman was eating leftovers and on her phone..strange idea of customer service?

For all that , cheesecake was delicious, coffee good and busy atmosphere inside felt inviting- just the silent staff a bit...