Buzz London

Lilly Vanilly

2012-01-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

I don't think there's anywhere I would rather spend a Sunday afternoon than amidst the hustle and bustle of Columbia Road Flower Market and the experience was made even better last weekend by the discovery of this absolutely brilliant new spot. Not being able to get a seat is always a good sign, though that was of course also something to do with it being pretty small and cosy inside. Nevertheless it was brimming with customers queuing for expertly made coffees and ogling over the finest selection of enormous cakes, brownies, huge oozing wads of fresh focaccia and other delights (all freshly made that morning in the open kitchen behind the counter).

The coffee, Colemans, from an independent roastery run by a young man in Bermondsey was superb and made two delicious flat whites.

Now soup is normally something I would find it hard to drum up any real enthusiasm for but the pea, mint and horseradish concoction that two friends opted for was absolutely sensational - unanimously voted the best we had ever tasted and I was ordered to run in and ask the lovely chef for the recipe. He was most obliging and went to painstaking lengths to talk me through every detail. In fact all the staff were hugely friendly and as excited about the place as I was.

A sign on the bar advertises 4 hour courses with "The Breaducator" on a saturday ... I'm definitely checking that out

St Ali

2012-01-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

It was on an otherwise miserable rainy Thursday morning - the first in January - when we finally made it to this much lauded spot that has been on the hit list for a VERY long time.

The deco inside is brilliantly thought out -it's spacious and on two floors with bare brick walls, chunky dark wooden tables, a living wall of plants and skylight above the huge espresso machine (the first in the UK apparently!).

Top marks for presentation - milk came alongside the jugs of coffee in little glass bottles on individual trays - but I must say I was somewhat disappointed by my coffee. I think this was more to do with the fact that we opted for filter rather than my preference of espresso based flat whites or americano's as well as perhaps slightly overly high expectations having read so much about the place.

I also felt it slightly lacked a cosy buzz and for some reason didn't have that wondrous smell of coffee lingering in the air.

The lunch / dinner menu looked AMAZING though so I am definitely going back for that.

GAILS, Northcote Road

2011-12-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

you CANNOT beat this for Saturday brunch

Whether you're after a cuppa and the best selection of cakes for miles around or an unbeatable breakfast ... Gail's will never let you down.

My pancakes served with pears stewed in maple syrup and organic greek yogurt sprinkled with pecans certainly didn't.

DAYLESFORD - Pimlico

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Granted it's not independent or quirky and not exactly easy on the wallet but, in the name of fantastic food, delicious coffee and a lovely place to while away a morning - this plays certainly warrants a mention.

Downstairs is a burning wood fired oven from which fresh breads emerge by the second and a shop selling all manner of delicious organic produce; fresh fruit and veg, cheeses, cakes, wines, meats ... to name a few.

I type now from the cafe upstairs - a lovely big room with wooden tables and three coveted window seats with a view out onto the Orange Sqaure.

The coffee - Dalyesford's own blend may not quite live up to niche blends such as square mile and Monmouth but it's still delicious and served lovely and strong.

The food is all sensational - for a healthy breakfast you could try the enormous portion of bircher muesli (teaming with goji berries and topped with sliced apple) but the undeniable highlight is the eggs benedict - i challenge anyone to find a better one in the capital ...

Sacred (Westfield)

2011-10-21T04:40:00.001-07:00

Working over the road means this is now my daily treat, and what an absolutely sensational treat it is, especially after an early morning dip in the freezing Serpentine.

The coffee far FAR exceeds that of anywhere else nearby; organic, fairtrade Ethiopian beans served by the friendliest bunch of Kiwi's (some Aussie's too) whose passion for coffee makes them extra keen to get it just right - and they do.

Oh and if you ask the right barista (namely the lovely Prudence) nicely, you could end up with a work of art that looks too good to drink.

Nipping back to Nude (Brick Lane)

2011-10-18T03:51:00.000-07:00

... this time for a spot of lunch. Still as wonderful as I remembered and the food - mine a mushroom and goats cheese omlette topped with rocket - my friends the most enormous portion of eggs benedict I've ever seen - was simply fantastic.

And then the best part - Nude's own coffee, roasted just around the corner, and a homemade gooey chocolate brownie.

The imaginative salads, this time angel hair noodles with green beans, pawpaw and cashew nuts, are also delicious and, as with everything else, come in huge portions.

I did have to wait a while for the food as they forgot the order but was very worth the wait and they gave me my coffee for free so definitely 100% worth it.

Leila's (Shoreditch)

2011-09-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

Tucked away on the corner of Arnold Circus - a skip away from Columbia Road - this place is a true gem. We perched on wooden benches in the sun outside. Inside is small and bustling with an open kitchen, garlic, pots and pans hang from the roof and it's a constant hive of activity - baking, peeling, slicing, coffee making and the slow cooking of the speciality; eggs either with sage or serrano ham.

We settled on two perfectly made velvety and suitably strong flat whites (the beans roasted independently round the corner) and the eggs - mine with sage my friend with ham - which were absolutely sensational. Served in old school china frying pans, covered in olive oil and cooked to perfection.

The croissants and home made jam were delicious too.

Why Time Out did not give this place 5*s is completely beyond me - perhaps best they didn't as if everyone knew about it the queue would be even longer ...

L'eau a la Bouche - Broadway Market

2011-05-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

LENT IS OVER ... first coffee in 2 months!!

To decide where to get your coffee from in the foodie paradise that is Broadway Market is a near impossible task. Passing the buzzing Climpson and Sons, Merito stall and numerous wonderful gems we opted for this bustling deli/cafe. Sat at an outside table sipping truly sumptuous flat whites with a delicious almond croissant and rye toast (from Clarke's) to the dulcit tones of the next Adele strumming away. There are few better spots to watch the world go by.

Inside you can cosy up at wooden tables amidst a deli brimming with cheeses, breads, cakes, wines, pasta's etc

The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs

2011-02-17T01:55:00.001-08:00

We found this hidden gem tucked away on the trendy Leather Lane, just a stone's throw from City life, yet totally immersed in the lively, almost gritty, buzz of Leather Lane market. Everything about The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs seems to fit the bill of London cool with a twist of sophistication. Take the name for a start. Then comes the spacious interior with its wooden floorboards, exposed brick and concrete walls and display of modern works of art. And last (but in no way whatsoever least) the passionately created, deliciously smooth and filthily rich coffee.

The food menu could be criticised for it's limited selection, but to be honest for people like us, who all too often get whisked away in a whirlwind of indecision when faced with too much choice, that proves an easy bonus. And anyway, with the amazing market street stalls selling all sorts of culinary delights on the doorstep I'm not sure if I would want much more. We sat in the window seats, snuggled up with our giant slices of toast and jam, absorbing every sniff and sip of our warming coffees, putting our little world's to right whilst watching the snowy morning unfold outside. The perfect start to a busy working day and writing this I cannot for the life of me work out why I haven't been doing it more often…

Music Notes and Coffee

2011-02-17T01:52:00.000-08:00

Unless you are very well educated in the world of coffee, it's as if the staff here are talking Russian ... such is the level of their dedication to making coffee making a true art.

And it definitely pays off. My flat white was ... i would venture to say ... the best I have tasted yet ... milk steamed to velvety perfection and the square mile beans - exquisite ... after polishing my cup clean and sipping the dregs from my companions cup when he nipped to the loo ... I was still left craving another ... always a good sign!

... write up in progress ...

Kennards

2010-06-17T16:26:00.001-07:00

Now go to this place almost every day before work and LOVE it! The staff are unbelievably friendly and, as well as delicious own blend coffee with organic milk, they sell a large selection of food including fresh, organic fruit and veg, wonderful homemade cakes and amazing, healthy but hearty homemade meals to eat in or take away.

The enormous casks of olive oil are just one of the reasons that this place is almost as pleasing to the eye as it is to the stomach!

Espresso RoommmMMMMmmmm

2010-04-16T01:59:00.000-07:00

Mmmm mmm mmmm ... the coffee from Espresso room is simply the finest … and wow it is strong (perhaps won't go for the large next time!)

Tiny little wooden box of a place tucked away in a back street - hidden from all but those lucky enough to be in the know … and it is certainly buzzing with them - eagerly enjoying or waiting for their beautifully decorated flat whites - the queue spilling out onto the street.
and
Wondrous selection of croissants from Clarke’s (or cakes from Bee’s).

Beans were Square Mile's wonderful new Spring blend; in coffee lingo it's soft, bright fruit flavours with a nutty body and toffee on the end. It consists of 2 single origins: 80% Del Obispo - Huila, Colombial 100% Caturra variety, washed process and 20% Fazenda Monte Alegre - Minas Gerais, Brazil

I don't really know what that means but I do know that it is absolutely epic and after one I know it's going to be a great day!

Taylor Street Barista's @ Source, Richmond

2010-04-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

If I start my morning with a coffee and an almond croissant I can be certain it's going to be a great day.

If my coffee looks like this and tastes rich and velvety ... the croissant is warm, gooey, fresh and oozing with sticky almond cream and I am sitting in the spring sunshine looking out over Richmond Park ... I am already in heaven.

(The cafe itself is next to the station but we drove up to munch, looking out over the best view in London. The whole experience was pretty perfect.)

Cafe THQ

2010-02-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

Can you see what's happening? When I started this blog, the trips to London's gems were few and far between. Now there's no denying, I'm hooked! Adore discovering these delights, sampling new and wonderful blends and of course, meeting the amazing people who make them.

T.HQ is a lovely organic spot on the busy Greys Inn Road. The staff are wonderfully friendly, the coffee is incredible and the array of homemade cakes and muffins, enormous both in size and variety, have to be seen to be believed!!

Megan's .... again .... and again!

2010-02-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

Know we've already written about this delight, but it has become my guilty pleasure this week!

The coffee they serve; the organic fairtrade variety from Torelli, is absolutely superb and the selection of homemade cakes is second to none.

In this snowy weather it is the most welcome retreat.

Thank you Megan!

nude

2010-01-31T13:37:00.001-08:00

Our long and very wet early morning bike ride could not have ended more perfectly, at this wonderful hidden gem just off Brick Lane.

Fantastic coffee made from their own brand beans were accompanied by the most sumptious of freshly baked berry scones still warm from the oven. An absolutely perfect start to the day.

Monmouth - Monmouth Street

2010-01-25T05:35:00.000-08:00

Without doubt my favourite coffee spot in London...

Snuggling up in the wooden table at the back is such a truly perfect experience we almost wonder whether to stop the quest right here!

Royal Teas, Royal Hill - Greenwich

2010-01-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

Greenwich is my favourite place this week! After lunch at the buzzing market, we headed to the lovely peaceful Royal Hill and Royal Teas. This is the cosiest little spot, away from the hustle and bustle; crammed with wooden tables and an amazing smell of fresh coffee from beans stored in jars along the wall. The cakes, made in a small kitchen at the back, are simply to die for (my more than generous slice of chocolate and almond cake was just being iced as we ordered).

We had a pot of the Columbian and when our exclamations evoked much envy from the lady next to us who was very annoyed by her decision to have tea, I appeased her with a small sip from our jug!

Being completely in love with the gorgeous french barista might be a small part of the fact that I am DEFINITELY going back!

Local Hero

2010-01-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

I confess that I have not yet had the joyful experience of sitting down in this lovely cosy little cafe, tucked away on the Fulham Road. I did however treat myself to a take away cup ... made from Climpson and Sons beans ... WONDERFUL!

The Hummingbird Bakery

2010-01-11T10:26:00.000-08:00

Hannah's 27th birthday and still ALL she wanted was to go for tea at The Hummingbird for a special trip to cupcake heaven...
To make your own bowl of truly orgasmic cream cheese 'frosting' just follow these simple guidelines: Beat the cream cheese (75g) and butter (75g) together in a bowl until combined. Add the vanilla extract (½ tsp), icing sugar (125g) and mix to combine. Poifect.

P.s. Macmi's got her buzz back.

Cafe Santo Grao - Sao Paolo!

2009-12-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

This place makes us Londoners look like we know nothing at all about coffee. More like a museum or gallery than a cafe, it isn't hard to see why it is a hub for Sao Paolo's rich and famous. The knowledgeable, and may I say, very attractive baristas, prepare samples with small shots of water so you can really appreciate the wonderful tastes!

The cakes, food and fresh juices are also out of this world!

Cafe de Manya in Brazil!

2009-12-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

Visting organic coffee farms and enjoying wondrous coffee and all sorts of delights in Brazil every day. Cannot wait to uncover more of London´s delights on my return in a few days time.

Meanwhile my dearest sister and partner in cafe crime seems to have fallen off the wagon in my absence!

Dose

2009-11-06T03:11:00.000-08:00

Flew home on the bike at record speed, fuelled by a wonderfully smooth triple ristretto americano and croissant, buzzing and eager to write up what was certainly one of the most bustling cafes we've discovered yet. It's exhausting just watching James, the owner, at work behind the bar as the regulars fly in for their early morning coffee, made from square mile beans. About 25 people fight for space in the tiny little espresso bar; squishing into window seats, four tiny plastic red chairs and spilling out of the door onto the road. A counter displays the most delicious pastries from flourish bakery http://www.flourishbakery.com/index.asp and the sandwiches, made with organic sourdough bread, looked incredible.

BEAS Of Bloomsbury

2009-11-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

Anywhere that makes cakes in an open kitchen in the back of the shop gets my firm seal of approval. The smell of baking and the sight of trays of cup cakes and other delights floating past, make it a very sensual experience, hard to concentrate on much else.

Others have said that the cakes outshine the coffee ...and yes, the carrot cake was amazing, but I thought my coffee, made from Square Mile beans, lovingly prepared by a very handsome young barista, was one of the best cups I've ever tasted.

Mrs Marengos

2009-10-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

Recommended by a friend who works nearby. We went early in the morning and were pretty much the only ones there so it really lacked 'buzz'. On the plus side, the food is all organic and baked/prepared/chosen with a lot of love ... and the coffee is made using sumptious Monmouth beans.

It is the sister to the veggie restaurant Mildred's, found down the road.

Coffee Plant

2009-10-16T04:45:00.000-07:00

2009-10-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

I bumped into this true connoisseur of coffee whilst filming a short piece for National Chocolate week!

He certainly new his stuff so I asked him where he would recommend ...

Le Pain Quotidien

2009-10-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Contrary to the usual croissant option this sumptious granola parfait served in a wonderful tall glass was the most amazing accompaniment to my delicious bowlful of steaming coffee. Also does the most wonderful selection of fresh organic breads which come with a variety of jams and indescribably moreish chocolate and nut spreads (you'll want to eat the whole pot with a spoon!) ... Le Pain Quotidien is my favourite place in the world!

Breakfast at The Wolsely

2009-10-02T09:52:00.001-07:00

The best birthday present ever! We felt mighty smart as we rocked up at the most distinguished place in town to 'do' breakfast. Picture two incredibly over-excited students rubbing shoulders with the most elite of breakfasters whilst savouring every bite of the exquisite eggs benedict and sipping coffee served in silver pots!

So good they've even written a book about it.

Fleet River Bakery

2009-10-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

I sniffed out this little gem as I cut through the back streets of Holborn on my way into uni yesterday morning. It was crammed full of suited city workers grabbing an early morning expresso and FRESHLY baked bit of brekkie on their way into the office. Loved the vibe so much I went back for a perfectly homely lunch later that day.

Megan's Deli

2009-10-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

An Aladdin's cave for the coffee and cake lover. Must be explored in person. 'Nuff said.

La Bottega

2009-09-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

Italian deli chain that serves an amazing cappucino. You'll find it hard not to empty your wallet when you venture to look at the delights within!

Mmmmmmmmm

2009-09-02T11:41:00.002-07:00

This is the most delicious coffee yet ... dark, strong, rich, smooth AND organic and fairtrade. £1.99 for a bag at waitrose!

Bermondsey Street Coffee

2009-07-01T04:35:00.000-07:00

Tucked away behind the busy hussle and bussle of London Bridge, this place is a brilliant find. As my sister and partner in coffee appreciation has jetted off to sample the Indian caffeine culture, I was taken here by a friend on his recommendation! Delicious organic coffee ... a very generously sized latte and a special place to park my bike!

tomtom Ebury

2009-06-11T00:17:00.000-07:00

WOW ... a last minute decision turned out to be very well rewarded! Sitting around a big communal table with a mouthwatering bowl of delicious croissants to delve into, delicious coffee and wonderful freshly squeezed orange juice. The fact that Ethan Hawke had also chosen to breakfast there was a small bonus!

Exams! Grrrrr.

2009-05-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

For the past few months the nightmare that is revision and exams have kept the pair of us from wiling away long mornings sampling London's finest coffee. Now they are over and we are back with a vengeance!

Any ideas about where you find the best coffee in the world or the tastiest croissant would be much appreciated! ...

Cafe Lantana

2009-03-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

Tucked away in a back street, this wonderful little place was a brilliant discovery. The food and drink is lovingly prepared, check out the wonderful array of muffins and cakes on display or sample a truly original dish (lunch looked like it was going to be a real treat). Quite costly but worth it and the coffee is fantastic. I had it with the fresh spelt toast and apricot jam ... simple but perfec.

Sacred Cafe

2009-02-27T23:23:00.000-08:00

Flat White - Berwick Street

2009-02-20T09:53:00.000-08:00

flat white noun /Austral. flaat whyette/ /NZ flet wyte/ 1 An antipodean style coffee which is served as a strong shot of espresso served in a small cup with textured milk; a damn good strong coffee. 2 51.51 (51°30') | -0.13 (0°8').
flattie noun. colloq. flat white; I'm gonna smash back a couple of flatties bro /NZ/ mate /Austral./

Winner of 'Independent Coffee Bar of the Year in the UK 2007'!

Cafe Dell'Aziz

2009-02-03T00:29:00.000-08:00

Check this place out if you are big on cakes. And I mean BIG. We spent hours salivating over the enormous chunks of carrot, ginger, lemon, apple, orange, pear and banana, rum, plum, chocolate, apricot and marble cakes posing provocatively in the window. Allow yourself to be lured in and you will not regret it. Awesome mugs too.

Monmouth - Borough Market

2009-01-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

Unbeatable.