12 onions: coffee

Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Milkbar : coffee has its perks for those who have bean so lucky

Coffee plays two main roles in most of our lives. It's either a break from work or a welcomed aide to keep us working. It's our right-hand man/girl. For me, it's also an opportunity to connect, see friends and hug a friendly Barista... And the most huggable of Barista's I know, works his magic at Milkbar. He makes great coffee too.

Milkbar 3 Bateman Street Soho W1D 4AG

How was the coffee? Creamy, nutty, delicious.

Did they have soy? Yes.

Should you go there? Yes. There is a great breakfast menu, which includes my personal favourite, homemade beans on toast with a generous slab of goats cheese on top.

Would I go there again? Yes. And I have.

Milkbar doubles as an art space, featuring works for sale which change with regularity. Oddly, they don't have a bathroom and this is a small space, so seating is also limited.

Along with its sister cafe Flatwhite*, Milkbar is another in an increasing number of Antipodean-run, quality, anti-chain coffee shops. Londoners are now finally seeing coffee as the social glue that those of us from that group of rocky islands in the Southern Pacific have known it to be for years. Coffee brings people together mate/bro. It's true. Milkbar brings people together too. In hugs and in coffee.

* Flat White, 17 Berwick Street, Soho W1F 0PT

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Coffee@Goswell Road: she's no bastard child

NEWS FLASH! Previously blogged about Coffee@157 has a sister and her name is Coffee@Goswell Road. I'm very pleased to report that she is no bastard child! She's totally legitimate and we were introduced this morning.

Me? Exhausted after my encounter with the nearby Indian Visa Factory.

She? Effusive, over flowing with caffeinated goodness and ready to embrace me with genuine affection.

Coffee@Goswell Road 154 Goswell Road EC1V 7DT

She mirrors her sister's vibe. They could be twins actually. A selection of slow burning log (and the like) visuals are being projected onto the wall. There's a little kid in the corner trying to make friends with the complimentary bike pump. This place is very cycle friendly. There's even a spot to park your ride inside. Fairtrade coffee is their focus and just like Coffee@157, this feels like a place where I could spend some quality, paper reading/people watching time.

How was the coffee? OK. Not nearly as good as Coffee@157, but certainly acceptable.

Did they have soy? Yes.

Should you go there? Yes. Not specifically for the coffee, but for the fun of it. And my soy flat white was only 2.50 which is a bargain in any currency.

Would I go there again? Yes. Not specifically for the coffee, but for the fun of it.

Oh Coffee@Goswell Road. I was having such a lovely time and then you felt compelled to torture me with the long, high-pitched complaining cries of Chris Martin. Before this moment, my answer to the gorgeous glowing red neon question on the wall which asks "my heart is yours, do you want it?" would have at least given me momentary pause to ponder my answer. But now, after this unpardonable indiscretion, my answer is quick to come and absolute. Not today Coffee@Goswell Road. Not today. But tomorrow? Well tomorrow is luckily another day.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Climpson & Sons: good coffee but not worth the bleeding ears

I love good coffee. I think we all know that to be true. What I don't understand is the music of Rihanna.

Hopefully you can therefore understand my utter perplexion when, after months of wanting to go there, I finally make my way to THE birthplace of London's East-end independent coffee scene, Climpson & Sons, to be greeted by Rihanna. Well her music actually. The Only Girl in the World? I don't think so honey. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't hoping for Iron Maiden, but maybe The Pogues??? Strange first impression Climpson & Sons. Strange first impression.

Climpson & Sons 67 Broadway Market E8 4PH

How was the coffee? Pretty good. But to be honest, I am completely preoccupied by the realisation that they're playing her entire album. Wwhhhaaaattt?

Did they have soy? Yes.

Should you go there? Broadway Market is worth checking out, as is London Fields, which is at the northern end of the street.

Would I go there again? Yes, but only when in the neighbourhood and when Rihanna is not on rotation.

Climpson & Sons offer five espresso blends. They also have a great service whereby then send you a bag of freshly roasted coffee every month, depending on what's in season and what's best. Such a great way to taste the finest coffee from around the World.

http://webcoffeeshop.co.uk/

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Bean Me Up. The coffee is out of this World.

Mine was a happy Monday. George Papandreou had announced he was stepping down. According to the official Scrabble people, "Vav"* is now an acceptable word, along with the sometimes annoying interjection "Sh". But best of all, I enjoyed the unrivalled satisfaction of coffee at Brick Lane Coffee.

It was once known as Coffee@157 and I can't say for sure what it's called these days ... "The Excellent Cafe Next To The Most Excellent Bagel Shop" perhaps? Anyway, my lack of certainty about its name does not diminish the fact that the coffee is seriously outstanding.

Brick Lane Coffee 157 Brick Lane London E1 6SB

How was the coffee? Best I've had in London. Fact.

Did they have soy? Yes.

Should you go there? Absolutely.

Would I go there again? Yes, I may well add it to my list of Spiritual Homes, along with Liberty, Mark's Bar and a bowl of my Mum's chicken soup.

There's a small shrine to 90s band Bros in the corner, a poster of Charlie Sheen "winning" and even Jesus watches over you while you hydrate at the self-watering station. The Wombats song, Let's dance to Joy Division, is playing. I just overheard the male Barista recommend a thrush treatment to a customer. This place is special.

Seldom have I been somewhere so quirky that doesn't sell cocktails. Brick Lane Coffee does sell dreams however. My dream of luscious coffee has come true. Perhaps cold, grey Mondays in London aren't all that bad after all.

*Vav is the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Princi: a mouth brothel for carbophiles

This place has been described as
"a mouth brothel for carbophiles". I have to agree. Don't go to the pub, just come here for your Heathrow Injection. I'd take thighs filled with
Green Olive Sfilatini over a pint of lager any day.

Princi 135-137 Wardour St London W1F 0UT

In my opinion, Princi is best-suited for take-away. For those seeking to linger awhile, to sample the cakes and pastries, I would recommend the
Cannoncini, though it would be hard to choose wrong in this place.
Italian is being spoken everywhere, plus there are cute men in uniform, so t
here's lots to look at while you're waiting to order.
For me, t
he only downside of Princi is its popularity. Case in point,
I'm being jostled out of my spot
by a Hello Kitty obsessive. This
Kitty needs cake too!

How was the coffee? Very good European-style caffè.

Most satisfying.
Did they have soy? Yes.
Would I go there again? Yes.
Should you go there? Yes. The coffee

will quicken your heart rate, and will thus be an excellent metabolic boost, which will no doubt aid in the digestion of the
Cannoncini
you will feel compelled to eat.
Any other points to note? T
he ordering system is a shambles, so get your pointy elbows ready for some jostling.