Cue

When I were a lad, cafés were places to get a full English. Some were bad, some were good. Nowadays they are more likely to involve avocados and chia seeds – but again, some are just following a trend, others are a real treat. Cue is definitely in the latter camp.

It fits in well with the upmarket surroundings of Leicester’s Stoneygate with a simple, pared-down style. The food offering includes the likes of shaksuka, eggs florentine, quinoa and buckwheat granola – and on each visit we’ve seen real care and intelligence put into every dish. Sliced avocado on toasted sourdough soared above hipster cliché, being paired with salty crumbled feta, a spiky chilli and lime dressing and perfectly poached eggs. A lunch dish saw delicate Korean-smoked brisket piled into an excellent brioche bun with a very tasty sesame-rich Asian ‘slaw. It came with “home fries” – in this instance, good and crunchy sautéd new potatoes.

For old-school café lovers there’s even a fried breakfast – though note this being a halal business there’s beef sausages and beef bacon. There’s a good range of of teas and coffees and the cakes are suitably indulgent – think Eton Mess tiffin or white chocolate and raspberry torte.

With super-friendly and helpful staff creating a laid-back atmosphere, this is the kind of place every every local shopping street needs.

By Tim Burke, Leicestershire editor