Alan is a nice hard working guy but unfortunatly he can't be there all the time, i call regularly and can plainly see the difference when he is not there ie uncleared tables, staff on phones while customers wait for tables/takeaways etc. Only reason i return is for the great coffee and that is not enough some times.

I had a very strange experience yesterday in Chocolate Brown. Quite often my partner and I(sometimes with our children) frequent the business.

We went in, as per normal - placed our orders and I went to use the toilet facilities. They we're all out of order, not knowing the 3rd door, I tried it and one of the members of staff became very abusive and started swearing at me asking me can I not fn read...

At this point, I walked back to the counter in shock, other customers were looking at me and it was very embarrassing.

The members of staff returned to the counter and I asked could I please use the staff toilet. I was bluntly told No. For the first time ever, we paid and walked out into the rain to find a toilet. I have never been so insulted by a person in a retail unit. The other members of staff quietly apologize for her behavior. Very disappointed

I really love 'Chocolate Brown'..Alan runs a great place and the coffeee is great. Always feels like your own house when you walk in...customers and staff all know each other..it's brilliant!! Its quite small so it feels intimate.

I love the coffee here and even though it is always busy and there is a wait it is generally fine. However recently there seems to be a shift in service as the waits are much longer and you don’t always get what you want. Saturday I ordered a plain bagel with cream cheese to go, I was under pressure for time so maybe that’s why it annoyed me it was so slow, also there ways only 2 tables occupied but the rest of the tables had dirty dishes on them. I finally saw a girl leave a toasted bagel to girl up front but it was a Sesame seed bagel. When I asked if that was mine I reminded the young lady I had ordered a plain bagel only to be told Sure it’s only Sesame seeds. As I was in a hurry I took it and ran thinking I could eat the bottom half. Actually I couldn’t as it had seeds as well and my coworker that I gave it to said it was as tough as an old boot and binned it after 2 bites. Possibly toasted from frozen, though I am only guessing at that.

Great little coffee shop. Although they had a light lunch offer which was disappointing value wise. Ad didn't state wrap was mini size, so in fact its better value to go for the full size wrap rather than the cup of soup and mini wrap. Would wish to be advised wrap is mini size. Good central location with outside smoking area.