I tried Caffe Nero's Christmas menu - but there was a big problem

Caffe Nero has unveiled its Christmas paper truthful we went on to springiness it a try

In my view, Caffe Nero is simply a hidden gem compared to its rivals. I reckon its cakes outshine Costa's, its sandwiches surpass Starbucks', and it serves a decent cupful of coffee.

So, I was thrilled to illustration their caller Christmas menu, peculiarly the pistachio blistery chocolate. On a wintery Sunday morning, Caffe Nero provided the cleanable refuge from the cold.

Cosily tucked distant successful a corner, we ordered the pistachio blistery chocolate, caramelised pistachio latte, festive feast panini, brie, bacon and cranberry panini, and the profiterole cheesecake. As a pistachio lover, I'm already a large instrumentality of Caffe Nero's cocoa and pistachio mousse cake, which is my accustomed order.

When the blistery cocoa arrived, I was charmed by the seed sprinkles connected top. They were delightful to scoop retired with the pick to scope the cocoa underneath, but that's erstwhile I deed a snag.

While I adore the sweet, almond-like sensation of pistachio, the syrup successful my blistery cocoa was overly saccharine for my liking. The cocoa itself had a bully flavour, though it wasn't the thickest blistery cocoa I've ever had, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Initially, it was lovely, but it rapidly became excessively cloying, and I regretted pairing it with the profiterole cheesecake.

My hubby echoed my sentiments astir his latte - initially unsocial and enjoyable, but yet excessively saccharine to finish. However, this could conscionable beryllium our idiosyncratic tastes, arsenic the pistachio blistery cocoa has returned owed to its popularity past year.

However, we recovered the paninis to beryllium a delightful festive dainty for lunch. The brie, bacon and cranberry operation is ever a classic, and it's fantabulous for a interruption from Christmas shopping.

The breadstuff has a fantastic crunch to it, but not hard similar immoderate crunchy breads, and the beauteous salty bacon was complimented by the soft, creamy brie and the saccharine cranberry. Even my 4 twelvemonth aged loved this - which is precocious praise arsenic helium usually prefers what we telephone the 'beige diet'.

The festive feast panini was filled with Christmas flavour, with delicious stuffing, moist turkey and cranberry offering different classical combo. Although, my hubby mentioned helium would person loved adjacent much filling - but who wouldn't privation much Christmas turkey?

The profiterole cheesecake was besides a delight, with airy choux pastry and a creamy yet not dense cheesecake. It won't regenerate the cocoa and pistachio mousse barroom for me, but it was a bully alternative.

Perfect for a small java store day implicit the festive season.

Caffè Nero Christmas paper includes:

• Winter Blend coffee
• Tiramisu Latte
• Caramelised Pistachio Latte (priced astir £5.35)
• Pistachio Hot Chocolate (£5.35)
• Millionaires Hot Chocolate (£5.35)
• Italian Porchetta Focaccia (£6.80)
• Festive Feast Panini (£5.65)
• Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Panini (£5.70)
• Pigs Under Blankets Panini
• Vegan Festive Feast Panini
• Profiterole Cheesecake (£4.75)
• Black Forest Chouxnut (£4.75)
• White Chocolate & Gingerbread Cake (£4.75)
• White Chocolate & Gingerbread Cookie (£2.95)
• Festive Gingerbread Santa
• Classic Mince Pie (£3.15)
• Luxury Amaretto Mince Pie