‘Vero Cibo’, The Shambles

Published on: 24 Feb, 2012
Updated on: 13 Mar, 2012

An authentic touch of Italy

Vero Cibo, tucked away in The Shambles, next to WH Smiths, is one of Guildford’s less obvious coffee shops.

It is unpretentious and offers probably the best value for money to be had in the town. If you take a coffee before 11am it will cost you just £1.25!

It also has, we thought, the most authentic continental feel. It is run by Italians and most of the seating is outdoors. By 11.45hrs most tables were taken, some by early lunchers.

It must depend on the weather but if it is a pleasant place to sit in February it must become even better as temperatures increase in the Spring and Summer.

Also, although only a few steps away from the High Street it is in a cul de sac, so there is no bustle, no stream of passing pedestrians pushing past as with some other establishments. If you want a little island of peace this could be your place.

We ordered normal ‘Americano’ (actually, I hate that name, why can’t it just be ‘black coffee’?) and a cappuccino – disappointingly the black coffee did not taste great to me. It was particularly disappointing because there were so many other things I liked. Of course, taste is a subjective thing but I have tasted lots of coffee in Italy, France and Holland over the years and I don’t think it measured up.

In contrast, the cakes were great. They were not fancy but they were generous and tasted good and fresh.

I hope that Vero Cibo continues to succeed but I do hope the reconsider their choice of coffee. If they do that my only real reservation would disappear, but it is a major one.

Subject	Comments	Score
*Vero Cibo, 1 The Shambles, Guildford*
Coffee	Black coffee had an unpleasant bitter after taste. Cappacino was fine. Low prices.	2.5
Cakes	Fresh. Not fancy. Generous. Limited Choice. Good value.	4.5
Menu range	Full range of made to order sandwiches and plated lunches with authentic Italian ingredients	4
Interior	Slightly scruffy and cramped. Better to sit outside if weather allows.	2
Atmosphere	Relaxed, quiet, with a feel of the continent.	3.5
Access	Good to outside tables but difficult inside. Toilets are upstairs.	2.5
Service	Orders taken at the counter but brought to your table. Polite an unobtrusive staff. Overall, average.	3
Information	No wifi but newspapers to borrow. Menu displayed by door and counter. No table menus.	2.5
Value for money	Terrific. Two coffees and two cakes for £5! Coffee before 11am and 3-5pm just £1.25.	5
Toilets	Also authentically continental. Fairly clean but shabby. No disabled or baby changing facilities.	2
Opening hours	Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm and as a Wine bar: Fri & Sat 5pm to 9pm Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Address	1 The Shambles, Guildford GU1 3EX Tel:01483 572604 website: http://www.verocibo.co.uk/

Our order - all for a fiver

What they say about themselves:

“Vero Cibo is a family run business whose seed was sown on the numerous trips back to our ancestral home in northern Puglia, Italy to see friends and family and of course to eat great food!

After all those many trips to Italy it was apparent that not all of the diversity and joy of Italian food was present here in the UK.

…we were struck by the message that unless you were willing to pay an [expensive] restaurant bill you were unlikely to find quality Italian food. …so we have set out to bring you great Italian food, simple delicious and honest, and at a price that everyone can afford.”

Click here to see last week’s survey – Jo Clarks. Which one will it be next week?

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