A new era dawns on the Arts Block cafe in the form of The Perch. The staff look just as unsure about it as the students studiously reading the menu on the wall.
It is perhaps not quite the facelift it was hyped up to be. On a grey Monday in October, the black and white aesthetic blends in with the dreary concrete walls and brown stone tiles.
On closer inspection one notices the new white tiling around the fridges and the peculiar assortment of bread and biscuit tins above the cash register, which give the space a smart, modern feel. “Ask customers would they like a donut with their coffee”, hisses the manager as I wait for my americano.
Despite the opening-day edginess, The Perch appears to be consciously thought-out, with a particular emphasis on the food and coffee being locally sourced and ethically produced. On the wall is a map of Ireland, annotated with the various sources of their new produce. I note with pride that Wexford Cheddar managed to sneak into the sandwiches.
Given that the Arts Block is usually a melee of middle-aged American tourists and thousands of students, the minimalist approach taken to the shelving and retail stands is a logical one.
The result, however, is a little underwhelming. I am happy to report that the coffee is a very nice blend, not too bitter and very reasonably priced – €2.20 for a large americano. Down the steps to the left the new tables and chairs appear to be hit. Though I am unsure what the obviously artificial foliage jutting up between each table is all about. It looks slightly bizarre, but it adds a touch of green, so I won’t complain.
Overall, I consider The Perch a success. Is it revolutionary? Perhaps not. It is a cafe after all. Do they make decent coffee, that I successfully smuggled into the Ussher?
Absolutely.
