Tipped

Damn you Seattle.

November 19, 2007

I used to be happy to trot down to Starbucks and grab a double tall vanilla latte, I was so caught up in the novelty of these strange coffee and milk based drinks that cost the equivalent of a one day travelcard that I overlooked the fact that they didn't really taste like coffee. On one fateful trip some friends took me to Espresso Vivace in Seattle and in the time it took me to knock back a cappuccino my former love affair was over.

When I returned from the US I searched high and low for my coffee fix, I tried everything from all the chains (insert Family Fortunes uh-uh noise here) to the small family run Italian cafes dotted around London. Interestingly in most cases these places dished out worse coffee than the chains and I felt lost, like a rudderless ship.

My boss suggested that I gave Monmouth a whirl. For years he and his smug little coffee club would whip out their grinder, filter papers and ceramic filters and sit in the lounge area pontificating about the latest roast or aroma compounds that were doing it for them that week. I of course scoffed at such pretention until I walked through their door and ordered up a latte. Wow, the drink invoked all those memories of that chocolaty rich espresso shot mixed with perfectly textured milk. If you are lucky you will get a Barista that can do that funny little tree pattern just from a few shakes of their wrist. If not, you will get quite simply the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted in London.

They of course have a full service roasteria too offering up over 20 different beans and their staff are a rag tag bunch of caffeine junkies who will be only too happy to bestow upon your their considerable experience in helping you choose.

It has become a routine pit stop at Borough Market, where they also have a branch. I would however, recommend that anyone takes caution before entering for the first time because Starbucks will never be the same again.

Tags: coffee, espresso

Coffee heaven

September 08, 2007

I heard about this shop via the alt.coffee newsgroup where the coffee geeks hang out. I have only good things to say about their espresso. There's no messing about, just simply and expertly made. Prices are good too. I can also recommend the "monmouth espresso blend" beans for take-out, although its worth talking to the helpful staff about their other varieties (they can also grind the beans to suit). The sitting area at the back is small and popular, so if your lucky enough to get a seat you normally have to share a table. I am a total fan though and make a point of going regularly. The mega-chain coffee shops can't touch this for quality.

Tags: coffee, cafe

The Perfect Cup

August 31, 2007

Just follow your nose - You can smell the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans a mile away. The antithesis of those mega chains clogging up London, this shop takes coffee back to the basics. No skinny caramel mocachino frappucino abominations here – it’s all full fat and full on. How coffee is meant to taste in case you have forgotten! Hideout in one of the tiny booths at the back and enjoy a decadent muffin to go with your coffee and the morning papers - the perfect way to while away a few hours. And on the way out, you can amuse yourself by being able to buy "A kilo of your finest Columbian please!" The staff know and love their coffee and are only too happy to advise.
Further branches in Borough, including the market ensures coverage south of the river – note: The market stall does takeaway only.

Tags: coffee, cakes, cafe