Being told that you’re living in the past isn’t often meant as a compliment. But when you think about it, cherry-picking what you feel are the best bits of days gone by and then actively incorporating those bits into your life isn’t such a bad concept.

There’s great sense of happy nostalgia at Rancho Deluxe, Ben Thomas’s workshop/cafe/occasional party space. Restoring and repairing Ford hot rods forms the backbone of his business, which means you can check out his latest project while sipping on your latte. The living, working aesthetic of the place, combined with touches such as a collection of kid’s scooters and coffee served in grandma’s jade-coloured Fire King crockery, is a sweet mergence of the good bits from then and now.

While Ben is, in many regards, a man’s man (he has many tools, can build an engine and is a member of a badass car club), he whips up a mean muffin and isn’t afraid to have a gossip while washing up the dishes after. Not to mention the fact that he looks very fetching in an apron. Open Saturdays morning and only and serving coffee, cakes and newspapers, Rancho Deluxe is a place where modern grease monkeys go to get their weekend caffeine fix.