Latest reviews for Cafes & Coffee Shops in London, United Kingdom

Relish - CLOSED - by andybrown

andybrown — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:46:28 +0000

Review by andybrown

Rating: 1.00

Website: www.relishdeli.net/

it's closed down. i feel guilty.it's closed down. i feel guilty.

The Brew House - Crowded, expensive and pretty bland by curlynewf

curlynewf — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:20:12 +0000

Review by curlynewf

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 8341 5384

Tags: takeaway

Maybe it's the historic grounds it sits on, or the grand estate to which it's attached, but each time I eat at the Brew House Restaurant at Kenwood House, I expect something more.

I expect the soup of the day to be hearty and flavourful, but it never is; I expect the sausages to be fresh and complex, they never are; and I expect the tasteless pre-made sandwiches and tiny coffees to, at least, be somewhat affordable, but they ain't.

Let me first say, it's not fine dining. It's something approaching 'rustic canteening', a country-kitchen type set-up in the old servants quarters where you queue (of course), grab a tray, tell the ladies at the counter what you want, and pay up. The food looks and smells wonderful, but once you manage to find a table amidst the wellie-wearing dog/child-toting Hampstead-ers it just doesn't taste like anything.

Seating is a big problem too, especially on (but not restricted to) the weekends. There are about, oh, a dozen tables inside and dozens more outside in the 'al fresco' dining area. But if you're familiar with London weather you won't need me to tell you that the outdoor seats aren't an option most days, so people guard the indoor ones like hawks. I have witnessed proper, gritty fights over these tables (and I can tell you, the posh fight dirty!)

And to add insult to injury, it's expensive. Â£3.25 for a latte? Over Â£9 for a bowl of soup and a pre-made sandwich (which, by the way consisted of some pickle, cheese and a few leaves of lettuce). And remember, you serve yourself here. I'm someone who doesn't always notice the price of things (a problem at times) and doesn't mind paying a bit more for quality, but no one likes to be cheated.

OK, like most things, it's not all bad - the cakes and pastries are pretty good and the homemade bread is always fresh and nutritious but, who wants cake and bread for lunch?

The Brew House is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing, in my opinion. It has all the outward signs of being really lovely but underneath it's a bit of a sham. Looks can be deceiving.Maybe it's the historic grounds it sits on, or the grand estate to which it's attached, but each time I eat at the Brew House Restaurant at Kenwood House, I expect something more.

I expect the soup of the day to be hearty and flavourful, but it never is; I expect the sausages to be fresh and complex, they never are; and I expect the tasteless pre-made sandwiches and tiny coffees to, at least, be somewhat affordable, but they ain't.

Let me first say, it's not fine dining. It's something approaching 'rustic canteening', a country-kitchen type set-up in the old servants quarters where you queue (of course), grab a tray, tell the ladies at the counter what you want, and pay up. The food looks and smells wonderful, but once you manage to find a table amidst the wellie-wearing dog/child-toting Hampstead-ers it just doesn't taste like anything.

Seating is a big problem too, especially on (but not restricted to) the weekends. There are about, oh, a dozen tables inside and dozens more outside in the 'al fresco' dining area. But if you're familiar with London weather you won't need me to tell you that the outdoor seats aren't an option most days, so people guard the indoor ones like hawks. I have witnessed proper, gritty fights over these tables (and I can tell you, the posh fight dirty!)

And to add insult to injury, it's expensive. Â£3.25 for a latte? Over Â£9 for a bowl of soup and a pre-made sandwich (which, by the way consisted of some pickle, cheese and a few leaves of lettuce). And remember, you serve yourself here. I'm someone who doesn't always notice the price of things (a problem at times) and doesn't mind paying a bit more for quality, but no one likes to be cheated.

OK, like most things, it's not all bad - the cakes and pastries are pretty good and the homemade bread is always fresh and nutritious but, who wants cake and bread for lunch?

The Brew House is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing, in my opinion. It has all the outward signs of being really lovely but underneath it's a bit of a sham. Looks can be deceiving.

Forum Cafe - Shouted at us and humiliated us for asking for the by Carlasu

Carlasu — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:38:50 +0000

Review by Carlasu

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7404 1878

I had breakfast with a friend there last week. When I asked for the menu the waiter mocked me because of my English. After that, when I paid the bill and asked him for the menu again to double-check the price, the man started to shout at me and he became quite violent. He eventually threw the menu at me and we left the place.

The next morning, my friend went to this cafeteria to speak with the manager and complain about what had happened the day before. When she started to talk to this man he let her explain the problem. But as soon as she finished, he stated that the fault for what happened was mine because the customer doesn't have the right to ask to double-check the menu. When my friend tried to reply he started shouting at her. Finally he forced her to leave the cafeteria shouting and humiliating her in front of all the customers: "And don't come again, don't come again..." He didn't beat her but she felt afraid of being beaten by him as he became quite violent.

It's not right that they treat customers in such a manner.I had breakfast with a friend there last week. When I asked for the menu the waiter mocked me because of my English. After that, when I paid the bill and asked him for the menu again to double-check the price, the man started to shout at me and he became quite violent. He eventually threw the menu at me and we left the place.

The next morning, my friend went to this cafeteria to speak with the manager and complain about what had happened the day before. When she started to talk to this man he let her explain the problem. But as soon as she finished, he stated that the fault for what happened was mine because the customer doesn't have the right to ask to double-check the menu. When my friend tried to reply he started shouting at her. Finally he forced her to leave the cafeteria shouting and humiliating her in front of all the customers: "And don't come again, don't come again..." He didn't beat her but she felt afraid of being beaten by him as he became quite violent.

It's not right that they treat customers in such a manner.

Harry Morgan - Salubrious broth by bellaphon

bellaphon — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:25:36 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7580 4849

Website: http://www.harryms.co.uk

Tags: cosy, deli, cultured

When you find yourself in times of trouble or feeling an absolute downer thereâ¬"s absolutely nothing better than a heart-warming bowl of chicken soup as a remedy. Especially so if this delicious concoction is additionally laden with Kneidlach (matzo ball), Kreplach (beef dumpling) and the all-important noodles to achieve that Full Monty effect.

I love coming to Harry Morgan, the food here is good, generous and affordable. The small dining space is bright and cheery, however if you do decide to come here for lunch may I suggest you pop in earlier than usual to avoid any disappointment as itâ¬"s only limited to 20 seats. Service is admirable when quiet but erratic when the takeaway crowds start to come in at 1pm. The elegant sandwich and bagel platters are pretty huge, but be forewarned on the fact that the salt beef is not on par with the one found at Selfridges.

No service charge and more than adequate lunch for under a tenner.
When you find yourself in times of trouble or feeling an absolute downer thereâ¬"s absolutely nothing better than a heart-warming bowl of chicken soup as a remedy. Especially so if this delicious concoction is additionally laden with Kneidlach (matzo ball), Kreplach (beef dumpling) and the all-important noodles to achieve that Full Monty effect.

I love coming to Harry Morgan, the food here is good, generous and affordable. The small dining space is bright and cheery, however if you do decide to come here for lunch may I suggest you pop in earlier than usual to avoid any disappointment as itâ¬"s only limited to 20 seats. Service is admirable when quiet but erratic when the takeaway crowds start to come in at 1pm. The elegant sandwich and bagel platters are pretty huge, but be forewarned on the fact that the salt beef is not on par with the one found at Selfridges.

No service charge and more than adequate lunch for under a tenner.

The Breakfast Club - Really disappointing by gjbm

gjbm — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:31:22 +0000

Review by gjbm

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7434 2571

Website: http://www.thebreakfastclubsoho.com

Tags: cosy, good brew, quick bite

I've been searching for a decent breakfast place in Soho for ages, but it seems the search goes on..

I've been here 4-5 times (out of desperation!) and the same set of issues have recurred:-
- The staff seem to act as though customers are an inconvenience.
- Poor food. One breakfast I got I had to send back twice because the sausages were so undercooked they were still frozen in the middle (seriously).
- Slow service. For 'cosy' in some of the other reviews read 'slow and disaorganised'. Also tends to open late (i.e., delayed start, not 'late openings'), and fairly slow service, so not a good place if you're meeting someone or are in a hurry.

Pretty disappointing all round. Shame, as it looks promising from the outside.I've been searching for a decent breakfast place in Soho for ages, but it seems the search goes on..

I've been here 4-5 times (out of desperation!) and the same set of issues have recurred:-
- The staff seem to act as though customers are an inconvenience.
- Poor food. One breakfast I got I had to send back twice because the sausages were so undercooked they were still frozen in the middle (seriously).
- Slow service. For 'cosy' in some of the other reviews read 'slow and disaorganised'. Also tends to open late (i.e., delayed start, not 'late openings'), and fairly slow service, so not a good place if you're meeting someone or are in a hurry.

Pretty disappointing all round. Shame, as it looks promising from the outside.

Market Place Cafe - Daylight need not apply. by bellaphon

bellaphon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:39:30 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7636 9671

Tags: cosy, good brew, quick bite

This greasy spoon cafÃ© (GSC) is located in a loveless basement in an area thatâ¬"s already strewn with the likes of Carluccioâ¬"s (their first ever branch incidentally), Strada and Apostrophe (yuck!). As far as I know this place has been here since pretty much time immemorial.

The newish lovely lady owner reminded me that the whole place had been refurbed (still looks forlorn IMO) and the menu slightly revised to reflect the 21st centuryâ¬"s obsession with healthy eating. Well, Iâ¬"m having none of that as I came here purely for the Full English. The inclusive tea came in a pot and was a decent enough brew. The fry-up was gregarious in quantity, satisfactory tasting and like all greasy spoon fayre; tremendously good value. The only tiff I have is why do most GSCs including this one insist on serving up horrible tasting MRM (mechanically recovered/reclaimed meat) sausages, Iâ¬"m sure that going for the Wallâ¬"s variety instead will still pass as ok and wonâ¬"t break their budget. Brill service nonetheless.

Despite the rant, this is still a haven and a near oasis of calm from the madness of Oxford Circus.

Enjoy.

This greasy spoon cafÃ© (GSC) is located in a loveless basement in an area thatâ¬"s already strewn with the likes of Carluccioâ¬"s (their first ever branch incidentally), Strada and Apostrophe (yuck!). As far as I know this place has been here since pretty much time immemorial.

The newish lovely lady owner reminded me that the whole place had been refurbed (still looks forlorn IMO) and the menu slightly revised to reflect the 21st centuryâ¬"s obsession with healthy eating. Well, Iâ¬"m having none of that as I came here purely for the Full English. The inclusive tea came in a pot and was a decent enough brew. The fry-up was gregarious in quantity, satisfactory tasting and like all greasy spoon fayre; tremendously good value. The only tiff I have is why do most GSCs including this one insist on serving up horrible tasting MRM (mechanically recovered/reclaimed meat) sausages, Iâ¬"m sure that going for the Wallâ¬"s variety instead will still pass as ok and wonâ¬"t break their budget. Brill service nonetheless.

Despite the rant, this is still a haven and a near oasis of calm from the madness of Oxford Circus.

Enjoy.

The Kitchen - An Evening at The Kitchen by sulin

sulin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:47:16 +0000

Review by sulin

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 02077368067

Tags: lively, cultured, quiet & relaxed

A few weeks ago, a dozen or so food bloggers gathered at The Kitchen in Parsons Green, gathered together by Niamh for a TrustedPlaces event. The shop is co-owned by Natalie Richmond and Michelin-starred chef Thierry Laborde, who comes up with the various dishes on offer.

The idea is this: you order your meals online, go in store, and assemble the meals that you ordered. You take them home in sealed cardboard contained, similar to a ready meal, but a ready meal where the ingredients are top quality and you control the salt content. Most of the ingredients are already prepped (sauces, chopped vegetables, cuts of meat and fish, etc) and all thatâ¬"s required of you is to put together your meal with a set of printed instructions as a guide. There are lots of people around to give you a hand should you get stuck and best of all, all the tidying and cleaning up is done for you.

I opted to make two dinners for two people and put together a fishermanâ¬"s pie and veal escalope saltimbocca with green beans. For the pie, pea puree, cooked fish and mussels, cooked leeks, bechamel, mashed potatoes, and gruyere cheese were layered in a container. The escalopes required assembling, folding each escalope with parma ham, sage, and mozzarella cheese. They were laid in the container alongside a bag of chopped shallots, fresh green beans, and lemon wedges.

These made for two very quick and easy weekday dinners. The fishermanâ¬"s pie needed nothing more than a 25 minute spell in the oven but the escalopes needed a little more work. The green beans needed parboiling and the escalopes required frying before plating and then the shallots needed a quick fry before being tossed with the green beans and lemon juice. It was a little more work but only about 15 minutes worth.

I can definitely see the appeal as the session was social and fun and the food itself is delicious. However, as I do enjoy cooking by myself, I donâ¬"t see myself preparing my meals for the week there but I totally understand those who do. Personally, I could see myself putting together meals for many people at The Kitchen, something my tiny kitchen couldnâ¬"t handle.

Photos at: http://tamarindandthyme.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/an-evening-at-the-kitchen/A few weeks ago, a dozen or so food bloggers gathered at The Kitchen in Parsons Green, gathered together by Niamh for a TrustedPlaces event. The shop is co-owned by Natalie Richmond and Michelin-starred chef Thierry Laborde, who comes up with the various dishes on offer.

The idea is this: you order your meals online, go in store, and assemble the meals that you ordered. You take them home in sealed cardboard contained, similar to a ready meal, but a ready meal where the ingredients are top quality and you control the salt content. Most of the ingredients are already prepped (sauces, chopped vegetables, cuts of meat and fish, etc) and all thatâ¬"s required of you is to put together your meal with a set of printed instructions as a guide. There are lots of people around to give you a hand should you get stuck and best of all, all the tidying and cleaning up is done for you.

I opted to make two dinners for two people and put together a fishermanâ¬"s pie and veal escalope saltimbocca with green beans. For the pie, pea puree, cooked fish and mussels, cooked leeks, bechamel, mashed potatoes, and gruyere cheese were layered in a container. The escalopes required assembling, folding each escalope with parma ham, sage, and mozzarella cheese. They were laid in the container alongside a bag of chopped shallots, fresh green beans, and lemon wedges.

These made for two very quick and easy weekday dinners. The fishermanâ¬"s pie needed nothing more than a 25 minute spell in the oven but the escalopes needed a little more work. The green beans needed parboiling and the escalopes required frying before plating and then the shallots needed a quick fry before being tossed with the green beans and lemon juice. It was a little more work but only about 15 minutes worth.

I can definitely see the appeal as the session was social and fun and the food itself is delicious. However, as I do enjoy cooking by myself, I donâ¬"t see myself preparing my meals for the week there but I totally understand those who do. Personally, I could see myself putting together meals for many people at The Kitchen, something my tiny kitchen couldnâ¬"t handle.

Photos at: http://tamarindandthyme.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/an-evening-at-the-kitchen/

Greens & Beans - Delicious home cooked food for vegetarians by Katharine

Katharine — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:25:26 +0000

Review by Katharine

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7380 0857

Tags: cosy, proper food, amazing brew

The cooking at Greens and Beans has been reviews in Time Out as 'first class'. I would certainly agree with that! Popular with yoga class students, Greens and Beans cafe offers a variety of healthy breakfasts, very reasonable take-away lunches and a la carte dishes. I enjoyed a pizza salsicia - a delicious veggie pizza with artichoke hearts and sausages, with 'now that's what I call a salad' with baby greens, sprouts and avocado. My friend had veggie bangers and mash which she was very impressed by. The friendly atmosphere and excellent service would make me recommend Greens and Beans cafe very sincerely.The cooking at Greens and Beans has been reviews in Time Out as 'first class'. I would certainly agree with that! Popular with yoga class students, Greens and Beans cafe offers a variety of healthy breakfasts, very reasonable take-away lunches and a la carte dishes. I enjoyed a pizza salsicia - a delicious veggie pizza with artichoke hearts and sausages, with 'now that's what I call a salad' with baby greens, sprouts and avocado. My friend had veggie bangers and mash which she was very impressed by. The friendly atmosphere and excellent service would make me recommend Greens and Beans cafe very sincerely.

Reynolds - Nice small portions but quite expensive by chuichi

chuichi — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:32:47 +0000

Review by chuichi

Rating: 3.00

Tags: amazing brew, top food, cosy

I've only ever been to Reynolds once, and even though what I had was nice (a small portions of chicken noodle salad) I thought it was overpriced for the small portion.

Yes it's a great idea to have lots of small portions of salads, wraps, sandwiches etc but please also give them reasonable price tags.I've only ever been to Reynolds once, and even though what I had was nice (a small portions of chicken noodle salad) I thought it was overpriced for the small portion.

Yes it's a great idea to have lots of small portions of salads, wraps, sandwiches etc but please also give them reasonable price tags.

Primrose Bakery - Primrose Bakery by MissV

MissV — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:12:35 +0000

Review by MissV

Rating: 4.00

Tags: cosy, quick bite, good brew

Lovely cakes, good coffee, small space but lovely so why oh why does the tea have to be so rubbish. I'm more of a tea drinker than coffee and fail to understand why so many gorgeous little cake shops like this one just forget about the tea. The UK used to be like this with coffee, you couldn't get a decent coffee anywhere - hopefully the same will go for tea soon and they will start to stock good quality tea soon. Hurry up girls.Lovely cakes, good coffee, small space but lovely so why oh why does the tea have to be so rubbish. I'm more of a tea drinker than coffee and fail to understand why so many gorgeous little cake shops like this one just forget about the tea. The UK used to be like this with coffee, you couldn't get a decent coffee anywhere - hopefully the same will go for tea soon and they will start to stock good quality tea soon. Hurry up girls.

Taylor St Baristas - Amazing coffee by mjh21

mjh21 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:32:04 +0000

Review by mjh21

Rating: 5.00

Website: http://www.taylor-st.com

Tags: amazing brew, quick bite, coffee

Best coffee in the UK! Trust the antipodeans to make you an amazing flatwhiteBest coffee in the UK! Trust the antipodeans to make you an amazing flatwhite

Tangier Cafe Restaurant - Tangier Cafe Restaurant by foodrambler

foodrambler — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:01:49 +0000

Review by foodrambler

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 8459 8879

Tags: proper food

At this family-run place the owner serves up succulent lamb, prune and almond tagines with chips for a fiver, whilst conducting loud and animated exchanges with the Irish and Albanian regulars. Yum.At this family-run place the owner serves up succulent lamb, prune and almond tagines with chips for a fiver, whilst conducting loud and animated exchanges with the Irish and Albanian regulars. Yum.

The Blue Legune - perfect for breakie... by brenna

brenna — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:32:56 +0000

Review by brenna

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7923 1303

Tags: cosy, good brew, quiet & relaxed

Go here for sunday morning breakfast....delicious food, well presented in a small friendly and intimate setting.Go here for sunday morning breakfast....delicious food, well presented in a small friendly and intimate setting.

Canteen - Friendly Fun old school Cafe by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:49:40 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 020 7836 8364

Tags: quick bite, good brew, takeaway

Looking for somewhere cool, cheap, and open late that doesn't have the ambient din of Starbucks and all that goes with it. This is the place. They used to have an enormous basement but thats sadly vanished - even though thats gone this still has a peaceful local feel. Something unique for a place thats just off Charing Cross Road and smack in the middle of West End Theatre land. The folks who work here are fun - and recognize you after you've come back. They make a fuss, wisecrack and generally kick the can around. That counts for a lot in my book. That and the fact it stays open until 9 oclock during the week and 7 to 7:30 on Sundays.Looking for somewhere cool, cheap, and open late that doesn't have the ambient din of Starbucks and all that goes with it. This is the place. They used to have an enormous basement but thats sadly vanished - even though thats gone this still has a peaceful local feel. Something unique for a place thats just off Charing Cross Road and smack in the middle of West End Theatre land. The folks who work here are fun - and recognize you after you've come back. They make a fuss, wisecrack and generally kick the can around. That counts for a lot in my book. That and the fact it stays open until 9 oclock during the week and 7 to 7:30 on Sundays.

Coffee, Cake & Kink - Londons only S&M themed Cafe by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:47:53 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 020 7419 2996

Website: http://www.coffeecakeandkink.com

Tags: cosy, quick bite, good brew

This is a fun place to visit on a second date or something like that. It isn't slick, polished or decadently Pervy. It doesn't look like something from the set of the Hunger or The Story of O. Its way more ramshackle and amateur. I can't imagine anyone going down the stairs to main seating area in high heels - that's way too dangerous. I was grabbing the shaky banister and feeling pretty uneasy as I climbed down. Its not a place that architecturally encourages people to dress up - the design and the layout are for the novice, the tourist and the seekers of intellectual titillation. Thats cool, somewhere with a true decadent edge would be killed by an in-crowd and be out of business within a few months. On the plus side the Coffee is good. The cakes not so good. The downstairs erotic art on display is bad. That somehow makes the whole place, the whole idea of kink seem nice, safe and respectable in a cheeky, half-assed kind of way.This is a fun place to visit on a second date or something like that. It isn't slick, polished or decadently Pervy. It doesn't look like something from the set of the Hunger or The Story of O. Its way more ramshackle and amateur. I can't imagine anyone going down the stairs to main seating area in high heels - that's way too dangerous. I was grabbing the shaky banister and feeling pretty uneasy as I climbed down. Its not a place that architecturally encourages people to dress up - the design and the layout are for the novice, the tourist and the seekers of intellectual titillation. Thats cool, somewhere with a true decadent edge would be killed by an in-crowd and be out of business within a few months. On the plus side the Coffee is good. The cakes not so good. The downstairs erotic art on display is bad. That somehow makes the whole place, the whole idea of kink seem nice, safe and respectable in a cheeky, half-assed kind of way.

Regency Cafe - The Regency Cafe by thamshere

thamshere — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:32:18 +0000

Review by thamshere

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7821 6596

Tags: lively, crowded, proper food

This wonderful cafe is a rare find indeed. A real old-school cafe with fantastic decor and the best in traditional greasy-spoon food. Mushy peas, chips, eggs on toast, shepherds pie, gammon - you can't go wrong really.

Lunchtimes are overseen by the amazing lady behind the counter. Queue in line to place an order, then grab a seat when you can (or get your mates to hold one for you!). When your food's ready, her voice booms out from behind the counter so loud that you wonder where the megaphone is. "Two eggs, chips and beans! Sausage and chips! Special & rice!" It's amazing to see that voice come out of such a small woman and especially surprising when you come to talk to her and find that she's so lovely to boot.

Prices are good, service is good, atmosphere is amazing, food is exactly what you'd expect.

It gets pretty busy at lunch time so you might be in for a bit of a wait and orders arrive at random - it's not rare for one member of a party to have licked the plate clean before another's dish arrives. Despite that, I have never been to a better cafe!This wonderful cafe is a rare find indeed. A real old-school cafe with fantastic decor and the best in traditional greasy-spoon food. Mushy peas, chips, eggs on toast, shepherds pie, gammon - you can't go wrong really.

Lunchtimes are overseen by the amazing lady behind the counter. Queue in line to place an order, then grab a seat when you can (or get your mates to hold one for you!). When your food's ready, her voice booms out from behind the counter so loud that you wonder where the megaphone is. "Two eggs, chips and beans! Sausage and chips! Special & rice!" It's amazing to see that voice come out of such a small woman and especially surprising when you come to talk to her and find that she's so lovely to boot.

Prices are good, service is good, atmosphere is amazing, food is exactly what you'd expect.

It gets pretty busy at lunch time so you might be in for a bit of a wait and orders arrive at random - it's not rare for one member of a party to have licked the plate clean before another's dish arrives. Despite that, I have never been to a better cafe!

Plum - Plum by thamshere

thamshere — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:18:25 +0000

Review by thamshere

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7222 5429

Tags: quick bite

Plum are one of the better lunchtime options in the area. Strutton Ground is full of them but for a long time Plum was the only one that did anything tasty at all. Since then Eat, Crush and Mange have opened offering a bit more variety, but Plum still do the best panninis.

They've got quite a range on offer at reasonable prices - my favourite's the Giovanni, mostly tasting of rocket & goat's cheese. Certainly a lot tastier than anything from Pret. They also do good smoothies and juices and a range of salads, though the salads do seem to be a little over-priced for the amount.

Everything's freshly made to order so there's a little waiting time but rarely more than five minutes.

The staff have always been friendly and full of smiles for me.Plum are one of the better lunchtime options in the area. Strutton Ground is full of them but for a long time Plum was the only one that did anything tasty at all. Since then Eat, Crush and Mange have opened offering a bit more variety, but Plum still do the best panninis.

They've got quite a range on offer at reasonable prices - my favourite's the Giovanni, mostly tasting of rocket & goat's cheese. Certainly a lot tastier than anything from Pret. They also do good smoothies and juices and a range of salads, though the salads do seem to be a little over-priced for the amount.

Everything's freshly made to order so there's a little waiting time but rarely more than five minutes.

The staff have always been friendly and full of smiles for me.

Flat White - Coffee so delicious you could chew it. by bellaphon

bellaphon — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:35:51 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 0370

Website: http://www.flat-white.co.uk

Tags: amazing brew, quick bite, cosy

Yes I was indeed according to my prejudicious memory, only born yesterday for Iâ¬"ve never heard of a flat white untilâ¬¦ Well letâ¬"s be honest that we all learn about something new everyday but this particular discovery was totally gratifying for yours truly.

I wondered to myself and thought if my Italian friend, Mario from Epsom would ever step in here, I doubt so; heâ¬"s not the kind whoâ¬"s prepared to acknowledge that the best coffee can and will be made by non Italian baristi.

To all the good antipodean folks, I salute you all for this exhilarating beverage. The best coffee there is in Londra, cheers Flat White.
Yes I was indeed according to my prejudicious memory, only born yesterday for Iâ¬"ve never heard of a flat white untilâ¬¦ Well letâ¬"s be honest that we all learn about something new everyday but this particular discovery was totally gratifying for yours truly.

I wondered to myself and thought if my Italian friend, Mario from Epsom would ever step in here, I doubt so; heâ¬"s not the kind whoâ¬"s prepared to acknowledge that the best coffee can and will be made by non Italian baristi.

To all the good antipodean folks, I salute you all for this exhilarating beverage. The best coffee there is in Londra, cheers Flat White.

Nude Espresso - Best coffee in London by Bree

Bree — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:46:51 +0000

Review by Bree

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 07804223590

Website: www.nudeespresso.com

Tags: cosy, quiet & relaxed, lively

Wow- what can I say.

I have been searching the whole of Spitalfields/ Shoreditch over and have finally found what I was looking for - a fantastic antipodean style flat white coffee - and the right atmosphere to go with it.

Nude Espresso on Hanbury Street - its fresh. The best coffee and food in London.

And its a place that I want to go - by myself or with friends, to sit back and listen to music and contemplate life - who would have thought you could find a haven like this so close to the city. Free Wifi too- that's a bonus.

Apparently this winter they are also putting on â¬ÜNude nightsâ¬" (when the cafe is open later,and turns into a cool wine bar.)

Obviously, I cant rave enough!Wow- what can I say.

I have been searching the whole of Spitalfields/ Shoreditch over and have finally found what I was looking for - a fantastic antipodean style flat white coffee - and the right atmosphere to go with it.

Nude Espresso on Hanbury Street - its fresh. The best coffee and food in London.

And its a place that I want to go - by myself or with friends, to sit back and listen to music and contemplate life - who would have thought you could find a haven like this so close to the city. Free Wifi too- that's a bonus.

Apparently this winter they are also putting on â¬ÜNude nightsâ¬" (when the cafe is open later,and turns into a cool wine bar.)

Obviously, I cant rave enough!

Barley Brunch Cafe - sat is fied by jimmytequila2

jimmytequila2 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:39:54 +0000

Review by jimmytequila2

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8400 6105

Tags: lively, amazing brew, crowded

crazy, moody kiwis,but still reasonably priced ,somethings very cheap,excellent coffee.best sandwiches and toasties anywhere near my office.never seen homemade muffins like theirs. soups way out there,but simply the best.crazy, moody kiwis,but still reasonably priced ,somethings very cheap,excellent coffee.best sandwiches and toasties anywhere near my office.never seen homemade muffins like theirs. soups way out there,but simply the best.