Leeds Coffee Tour, Part Three: Opposite

Opposite

The original Opposite, so named for its prime location opposite Leeds University, opened in 2005 and quickly became a hub for the city’s students – somewhere to drink good coffee and enjoy healthy, homemade food. The success of the first Opposite soon spawned a second outlet in Leeds’ picturesque Victoria Quarter. Given that it's not much bigger than a photo booth and rubs shoulders with both Filmore & Union and Harvey Nichols’ espresso bar, you would be forgiven for missing Opposite. You will, however, be rewarded for stopping.

Opposite is a study in how to make the most of a small space. For example, it offers some extensive brewing options for a shop of its size. But it is the two-group Synesso Cyncra that really steals the show. While dealing with a difficult customer ahead of me, barista Adam Lodge explains that the machine is only the second of its kind in the UK. (He does tell me where the first is, but is drowned out by the steam wand in an effort to make some extra-hot hot chocolates for the aforementioned difficult customer.) Furthermore, Adam has to be the least flappable barista I’ve ever encountered – despite having a long queue and no extra pair of hands, the man never flags.

I order a cup of the washed Kilimanjaro, from El Salvador, which is produced by Aida Batlle and roasted by Square Mile. It’s the first time I’ve tasted one of the Kilimanjaro lots this year, and I’m certainly not disappointed.

Opposite
Victoria Quarter
Queen Victoria Street
Leeds
LS1 6AZ

www.oppositecafe.co.uk

This piece was originally published on blackcoffeeandotherstories.wordpress.com in December 2014.