CREDIT: WWW.MARIENBAD.CA/#NEST
The Nest.Cafe is London's newest coffee shop that's situated right near Fanshawe's downtown campus

Nest.Cafe is the newest addition to the already well-established Marienbad Restaurant and Chaucer's Pub in downtown London.

Known for its classical look and traditional menu offerings, the new lounge now aims to draw interest from students and faculty at Fanshawe's downtown campus.

Naming the café as “nest” after Fanshawe College, since the team name is Falcons, was done to give students a unique and comfortable environment where they can socialize and work, all while being transported into a world of old dining.

Enduring two year's worth of construction due to the closing and renovation of what was formerly the Kingsmill's store put the restaurant in an arduous position and had owner, Jerry Pribil, looking for a change.

According to Pribil, in an interview with The London Free Press, if it were not for loyal customers and staff and other work, Marienbad and Chaucer's Pub would not have been able to survive as it has.

Subsequently Nest.Cafe was opened after a major renovation.

Located on Carling St. directly above Chaucer's Pub, operating between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. the student café provides free Wi-Fi and charging ports, lounge seating and table seating.

As with Marienbad, the theme of the culinary offerings are European- influenced, but alcohol will not be served in the student lounge.

Pribil said he hopes to share traditional European flavours to new younger customers to keep them coming back “for years to come”.

Choices include poutine smothered in Hungarian goulash sauce or schnitzel on a fresh baguette with mozzarella and tomato sauce — along with other mouthwatering delectables offered in their limited menu.

Students will be delighted to know that all items on Nest.Cafe food menu are under $10.

Elizabeth Boudreau, an information customer service representative from the College's Office of the Registrar strongly believes in the initiatives laid forth by Pribil to create a space for students.

“It's definitely good for students, because parents are calling all the time from out of town, they're always asking what is around there for them or where to study, or where to eat, especially for the downtown campus,” said. “These are the questions we get asked all the time.”

To help bring students through the doors, Pribil devised a loyalty rewards program to students dubbed the Nester Loyalty Rewards program where students can earn points by spending money at the lounge, through grades and community work.

Prizes will be offered in May 2019 with first prize being a trip for two students to Las Vegas for a behind the scenes and front of house firsthand experience at large hotel chains in Vegas.

The program is a great incentive and opportunity for the hospitality and culinary students that were recently relocated to the downtown campus.

Pribil, being a graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, acclaimed the technology and equipment of Fanshawe College's downtown campus as world class, saying that it is “second to none”.

In conjunction with Nest.Cafe, Marienbad restaurant also offers various initiatives throughout the year.

With Oktoberfest wrapping up this previous weekend, clientele can experience live Bavarian music next month along with Marienbad's famous traditional cuisine or spy a monthly live action Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. For more information visit marienbad.ca/#nest.