cafe 1001

http://www.cafe1001.co.uk/

LOL! HA! This is the photo they told me off for taking!!

Café 1001, or, otherwise known to my mates as; “Ya know…That place under the bridge!”, is situated, literally under the bridge in Brick Lane. I’ve been dropping in for years without knowing it actually had a name.
This was one of the first places I found for real coffee when I arrived in London almost ten years ago, and I’ve watched it as it has gotten busier and busier, especially as the Sunday Up market has kicked off in a big way over the past couple of years.

Nowadays the coffee is not quite strong enough for my taste, although its still smooth and tastey and there’s no choking or shivering required to get it down (that’s always a bonus). They have gone from serving a pitiful array of pre-packaged sandwiches to a whole range of cakes, rolls, fresh salads and other treats such as glasses of olives and hand made cupcakes. Things have seriously improved in that department. Judging by the way my friend scoffed down his food and nodded enthusiastically when asked about it, I take it that the food is okay as well. Or, as he put it… “It’s cheese and bacon, it is what it is - ya know?”
Hey – he looked happy enough.

Its a great venue and they have events happening all the time...check out their website above for the latest.
On the down side… The staff are really not very friendly, or very helpful, I’m afraid the service is not great (and the staff don’t know what kind of coffee beans they use…that’s not a great sign is it?). So take your take-away coffee and your ham and cheese butty and go enjoy the market!

Close to Public Transport √ Liquor License x
Wi-Fi Available x Celiac options x
Vegetarian Options √ Kid friendly √

Bertie and Boo's

http://www.bertieandboo.com/
162 BAlham High Road SW12 9BW
020 8772 9987

Voted second in the Best Neighbourhood Coffee shop of the year awards.
Incredibly popular amongst the young families of the area and caters for young mums with small preschool children. With the door guarded by a blue paper mache giraffe and a child driven car parked on the decking. Bertie and Boo’s is a lively spot for a coffee. Run by a magician brother and sister team, it brags an impressive assortment of cup cakes, and muffins. Everything is locally made, including the painted teapots on display and for sale. Focaccias and sandwiches, and children’s meals are available and made fresh.
Coffee unfortunately is rather average, a long black is not quite strong enough and unfortunately rarely has a nice crema that can sit and stay around for a while. The latte can leave that “old coffee” after taste. Still, a take out (of any variety) is only one pound which is great for those quick morning dashes, when you can’t quite get your eyes open.
The décor is growing a little confused over time, as there are magic mirrors in one end of the café and antique books and brightly coloured tea pots cluttering the shelves. I like elements, but whether they fit together??? My favourite thing about Bertie and Boo’s (apart from free internet) is the old wooden school desks they have rescued and recycled as tables….great fun.
Bertie’s is a godsend if you are looking for a child friendly café where the staff don’t care if he smears chocolate cookie all over the table and spills juice all over the floor and then screams bloody murder for half an hour! Still if you are single, childless and haven’t developed your domestic deafness yet, give it a bit of a wide birth and remember that there is one pound take out coffee and the common is in walking distance!
B&B’s won neighbourhood café of the year! Congrats guys! You can see why, it is an asset to Balham, but it don’t make me want to dance naked in the street… if you know what I mean.

candid cafe

Candid Café
Torrens Street Angel Islington
020 7837 5237

When a friend first dragged me into an alley and up the stairwell of an old warehouse in backstreets of Angel years ago, I wondered if he had taken leave of his senses.
“you’ll loooove this.” He drooled with enthusiasm that made him look like a spasticated puppy “Its just your thing!! its like, for vampires”
Apart from wondering why he thought that vampish goth was… “my thing”, It amazed me that my mate had managed to find such a place. My friend is a lovely boy, but is the most straight laced person you could hope to meet. He works in IT and once called me at eleven o’clock at night, hysterical that some female friends were insisting that he wear the jeans they had bought him, they were long, loose, modern and very sexy.
“I look like a clown” he shrieked I can’t go out in public in these!!!”
Okay, so you get my point.
So as we were attempting to find the right door, as none of them were marked, (not so much as a bloody clue) he prattled about attending an art exhibition here and how he had been “dying” to bring me here as it was full of weird people “like me”!
Once again, I tried not to take offence; I just plotted where and how I could dispose of his body and prepared myself to be eaten alive by Goths…

Nowadays Candid is easier to find, not only is the right door well marked, it is actually hard to overlook as there is a huge white horse galloping out of the wall at you. The little area has undergone a huge transformation so sadly you no longer feel you are walking into unknown uncared for territory. The warehouse is still ruled by artists although it is far less grungy and dirty than it used to be. Candid arts trust Gallery is next door, and the building is still shared with artists studios. Admittedly my first visit was a little intimidating but these days the place is always so varied in its clientel, from local buiness people to artists and casual passerbys. Although once inside the building, you still have to struggle up the stairs and try and remember behind which door the café hides behind. Hilarious.
The coffee is ok, although it is not overly strong and doesn’t leave a horrible after taste. It didn’t have much of a crema, and I don’t believe they have a barista, just a couple of girls in the kitchen which produces some nice little snacks, soup, salads and cakes. There’s a great outdoor area, surrounded by fire-escapes, plants and a lot of urban brickiness, your orders may be taken via an intercom in the wall.
It’s a great place to meet up with mates, write or chill as it has a great atmosphere. But, there were no vampire goths, kinda disappointing really.

No gluten free/vegetarian sort of kid friendly
WiFi – no
No access for wheel chair
Licensed

Yalla-Yalla

1 Green's Court, London, W1F 0HA

www.yalla-yalla.co.uk

Tucked away in a quiet alley in Soho, you have to search out this little treasure but it is well worth it.
There’s a nice casual atmostphere, pleasant service and the wood tables and décor give a rustic, earthy feel.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lebanese pastries (which look and smell delicious), wraps, mezze-grills,Lebanese wines and beers, Yalla Yalla is open all day every day! There is a set menu or just choose from the mouth watering display.

Although essentially there to taste and judge them on their coffee making abilities, I enjoyed a mint, apple and ginger lemonade…hmmmm, lovely and a perfect accompaniment to my deep black coffee!

Served in a glass cup, (ooh la la - very nice!) It was lovely and rich without being so strong and acidic that it removed the skin from the roof of my mouth.
Ooooh, one very happy guru!

Close to Public Transport √ Liquor License √
Wi-Fi Available √ Celiac options ×
Vegetarian Options √ Kid friendly √

http://www.rosielovell.co.uk/

Rosie's deli cafe. 14e Market Row Brixton Market, SW9.

Brixton market is really starting to get in the swing of things.
Rosies is a cute little café just inside the market entrance from Cold habour lane.
A quaint mix of vintage and boho, The lively Rosie’s serves some classic deli food (made the Rosie way) and the atmosphere is just right for a Saturday morning…if you can find somewhere to seat yourself, as table space is really limited. It an easy going atmosphere, with a great mix of clientelle and a delightful, easy-going staff, that are quick to serve and keep the place spotless.
The coffee is mild and slightly nutty in flavour, it has a decent layer of crema and absolutely no nasty after taste.

Close to Public Transport √ Liquor License x
Wi-Fi Available x Celiac options √
Vegetarian Options √ Kid friendly √

Coffee Plant

http://www.coffee.uk.com/
180 Portobello RoadLondon W11 2EB020 7221 8137
















Bravo! I love coffee plant. There’s very little to it, but they make an excellent coffee, afterall that’s what they are all about.
Is it because they blend and roast it themselves? Is it because its fairtrade and therefore completely and utterly guilt free???
Whatever it is, Coffee Plant knows their coffee! They have great baristas and you will never ever get a bad cuppa!

Unfortunately, there’s very few tables, still if you can nab one, its great to linger in the smell of the place! Although grabbing a take out and strolling through the market is something that just has to be done as Coffee Plant is to me an essetnial part of the Portobello expirience.
The coffee is beautiful. Rich, thick, almost smokey in flavour.Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Perfection really.
Ohh, I quite fancy one now.

Close to Public Transport √ Liquor License ×
Wi-Fi Available × Celiac options ×
Vegetarian Options √ Kid friendly √

Bryron

97 Wardour StLondon, W1F 0http://www.byronhamburgers.com/

Byrons falls on the foody side of the café planet. A little contrived but clean and slick. The staff are attentive and friendly and there’s never a trace of “move on, please we need the table” vibe about the place… so you feel more than welcome to linger over a drink or caffeinated beverage and enjoy reading the paper.
The food is great and the coffee, whilst being a little disappointing to look at, has a great taste.
Byron’s is great for those times when your mates want a bevy and your hankering for a coffee but don’t want to sacrifice the quality of your caffeine for the sake of sitting in a pub.

It gets the Guru thumbs up.

Close to Public Transport √ Liquor License √
Wi-Fi Available × Celiac options √ Vegetarian Options √ Kid friendly √