Kiosk: Project Space is an interesting little spot on York’s Fossgate. A little way down from old hands Spring Espresso, it’s right next to the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, so much so that when I first visited, I did a double-take, fearing that I had come to the wrong place before spotting it, tucked in to the right. Run by the wonderful Russ and Rebecca, who get bonus points for name alliteration, it is a hybrid: part gallery, part coffee shop and part kitchen, but 100% amazing.

The art/gallery comes in the shape of ceramics, textiles, fine art, jewellery and a whole lot more, all of which adorns the walls and shelves on both sides of Kiosk. While everything is for sale, it also acts as decoration, turning Kiosk into a wonderfully eclectic spot. The food appears from a tiny kitchen at the back, where impressive all-day breakfast and lunch options are turned out using a seasonal menu. The coffee, meanwhile, is from the wizards at Dark Woods, with a single-origin on espresso and another on filter through V60, Aeropress or Chemex (for two). The coffee is bought in 8 kg amounts and when it’s gone, another takes its place.

You can read more of my thoughts after the gallery.

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Kiosk: Project Space is a tiny spot, perhaps twice as wide as it is deep. I tried the standard Coffee Spot width test, but couldn’t quite touch both walls with arms outstretched. I do think, however, that I could take in the window at the front, leaving just the door on the right-hand side. The window, which, with the door, runs from wall-to-wall, floods the place with light, although the numerous light-bulbs give it a cosy air in the evenings.

As befits somewhere so small, there’s not much seating. A four-person table takes up the front of the shop on the left, while behind that, there’s a three-sided table against the left-hand wall. Next comes the counter, behind which is the kitchen. Yes, it is that small.

On the right, there’s even less seating. After a set of shelves against the right-hand wall immediately next to the door, there’s a narrow table projecting from the wall, beyond which are two chairs, backs to the wall, flanking a coffee table. At this point, you are opposite the counter and up against the back wall. Cosy indeed.

The décor, other than the eclectic artwork and ceramics, is simple, with a wooden floor, white, wooden walls and a wooden ceiling, all of which adds to its charm.

Kiosk is a recent addition to the York speciality coffee scene, opening in April 2016. The brainchild of Rebecca and Russ, it is an amalgam of their interests. Rebecca brings the art/gallery side (although she also makes a mean cup of coffee), having previously owned a gallery. She makes clothes and knows many of the artists whose work is for sale at Kiosk. Russ, meanwhile, used to work in Spring Espresso, but is also a talented chef, his creations gracing the menu.

For somewhere so small, the food at Kiosk is amazing. Russ produces a seasonal menu, with all-day breakfast (8.30 – 16:00) and lunch (12:00 – 16:00) options. There are at least 10 choices for breakfast, including various egg dishes and a classic fry-up, while the lunch menu runs to four vegetarian options and two meat/fish. Rather than ring wholesale changes to the menu, Russ aims to switch out a dish at a time, usually one a week.

Although I arrived gone four o’clock, Russ was happy to make me something, so I went for the squash risotto, with pearl barley and crispy sage. Although it was excellent, with the risotto really creamy, the man on the table opposite had the pan-fried beetroot which smelled absolutely divine and immediately had me regretting my choice.

However, while I fear I may have missed out on the food, I hit the jackpot when it came to coffee. I asked Rebecca what she had and was rewarded with the very last of an amazing Panama Geisha from Dark Woods, made with the V60.

This was served in a carafe, with a cup on the side (both handleless), along with a carafe of water. I immediately knew I was in for a treat since it smelled amazing, while the first mouthful was outstanding. A rich, fruity coffee, I thought that it had peaked with that first sip, but as it cooled, it really started to come into its own and, by the time it was cold, it was awesome. Coffee heaven!

December 2016: Kiosk: Project Space has won the 2016 Best Filter Coffee Award.

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