Working from home obviously has its perks. Problem is, it has plenty of downsides, too.
The biggest one for me is distraction. Whether it’s hanging out laundry, pre-preparing that evening’s meal, trying to tidy some of the child’s toys or cuddling the cat, it can sometimes be pretty hard to stay focused.
When I hit a wall, escaping to a coffee shop with my laptop is generally the answer. Here in Bury St Edmunds, Edmundo Lounge is the perfect place.
Why? For many reasons. Edmundo Lounge is a huge space spanning two floors, so I don’t feel guilty about taking up a table that others may need more than me. There’s free WiFi. I can order food and drinks from my table by scanning a QR code, so no need to worry about leaving my laptop unattended. And the food and drinks are pretty decent, too.
There are now over 240 Lounges nationwide (the last one we visited was in Faversham, Kent). They all seem to have the same quirky style: mismatched furniture, fancy wallpaper and eclectic artwork adorning the walls, and matching menus. Edmundo Lounge is no different.
They’re a great choice for families, too, with tons of space, highchairs readily available, and a decent children’s menu.
I started with an almond latte (£4.60 – more places need to offer almond syrup, it’s delicious in a coffee!) and gave myself a set amount of work to do before I’d allow myself to order brunch. It was a decent coffee, too.
I’d never actually ordered from the brunch menu at one of the Lounges before. It wasn’t an easy choice. In the end, though, it was the smashed avocado brunch (£10.75, plus £2.45 extra for bacon) that won.
It was a very pretty plate of food. The toasted ciabatta was a nice change from the sourdough that seems to be the choice for most coffee shops! It was stacked with plenty of chunky guacamole, crumbled feta and cherry tomatoes. Pink pickled onions added some zing, and the poached egg on top had a beautifully runny yolk. The whole thing was finished with a sprinkling of Aleppo chilli and a drizzle of harissa and lime honey for some fruity heat, and a chopped coriander garnish. The bacon wasn’t quite as crisp as I’d normally like it, but it complemented the meal nicely.
By the time I’d finished, others had occupied a few of the tables around me with their laptops. I’m definitely not alone in my choice of “WFH” venue! The team are lovely, too, no complaints about the service. Once half term is over, I’ll be back…