I?ve just returned from the newly ?refurbished? Dulwich Picture Gallery cafe. It?s my sometime Wednesday morning haunt with my 18 month old son. Asked for our usual, 1 flat white, a pain au chocolat and a babycino. 7 quid. Queried with staff and this was correct apparently. 3 quid for the flat white, 3 quid for the pastry and a quid for a shot of lukewarm milk in an espresso mug. Even my 18 month old was taken aback. Daddy we paid only ?6.50 for the same only 3 weeks ago he said (spoken in gibberish but I knew what he meant). It got me thinking... have we finally hit the ?1 babycino? I remember this feeling about the ?5 pint that I now accept as the norm. What next? The 8 quid glass of Merlot? The 5 quid sourdough loaf? These days may already be upon us. I?ve decided not to accept that price in future and luckily i still have the following options for the same order. Gail?s ?5.60 Rocca ?4.40 A shame really as I?ve always liked the ambiance of the Picture Gallery Cafe - and may I also add the coffee was acceptable and staff perfectly friendly. A quick google of the operating company ?Gather and Gather? shows that they are based on Floor 12 of the Shard. High overheads I guess. And I believe the name refers to what they do with piles of cash at the end of each day. Anyway just thought I?d post this as a warning to any avid babycino fans out there.... some of you may be happy with the quid babycino. Unfortunately it?s just a little too much for this dad.
