Coffee Shops
Having reviewed a number of coffee shops around North London, we went on to other things, but have continued visiting numerous cafés around the metropolis.
Now we are back and going to run through the next batch.
Belle Epoque Patisserie [AKA] Fish Salad
HIM: I have been in here once before many years ago, but it left no lasting impression and I have to say the second visit was the same. In the land of the 3 wheel buggy, you are going to get the occasional mother and child, but the back section was filled with a full selection of every type of pram, push chair and buggy available.
We had a Hot Chocolate and a Cappuccino, the Hot Chocolate was warm at best even though I expressly asked for ‘Hot’ and HER Cappuccino was more like the frothy coffee you get in a workman’s cafe and HER salad was VERY expensive and really not good.
Notes in Upper St. Martin’ Lane, (just before Trafalgar Sq)
HIM: We visited Notes at one of the busiest times of the day, but there were still a few tables available, it has a bit of an atmosphere and it decorated in that eclectic style, they sell wine and a selection of salads, sandwiches and cakes as all café do.
We had a Hot Chocolate and a Mocha and they were ok, the cups/glasses were interesting but they weren’t anything special.
I’d still go back there if I was in the area and had a meeting or something reason, but I’m not going to detour to get there again.
HER: It was very busy, there also wasn’t a clear indication of food, so I could not choose a sandwich or snack. The coffee was ok although it was warm not hot and the clientele was a bit snooty but all in all it wasn’t bad.Next up is…
Sawyer Gray on St Paul’s Road, Islington
HIM: We kept walking past this one and it seemed to always be busy, so we avoided it simply because we wanted a seat, but when we went in we realized there is a lot more space downstairs and a lot of quirky little ‘Cubby Holes’ in what would have been the aerie under the pavement above.
The Hot Chocolate was ordinary, it was hot, but it was also expensive, around £3.50. The food looked good but for me it also looked expensive.
HER: I loved the downstairs little alcoved rooms, they were so comfy and private. I don’t really remember the coffee, but I do remember the great chilli Avocado Toast, it was delicious! But at £4.90 for one slice it was expensive and I can always do it at home (for cheaper).
And now…
Crêpeaffaire Camden Passage
HIM: It was trying a bit to hard, it didn’t have any atmosphere and it was all for sure. Cooking the Crepes infront of you (all for show) and the coffee was bland. It seems to appeal to the French and Belgium tourists who head there thinking its just like home but I’m sure they find it just as bland and uninspiring. HER: I’m not a big sugar fan so sweet things meh! I tried a savory crepe and it was alriiiiggghhht but nothing wow. I’m sure I had coffee but who knows?! The thing I really didn’t like was all the crepes were cooked on the same skillet, Including the meat ones! Next…
HIM: I think I preferred this place when it was a bookstore. It’s ok, wooden floors, flakey paint and half interesting paintings on the wall. The drinks were tiny, like shot glasses and not terribly rememberable. HER: Every now and then I crave a hot chocolate and this is what I had here. It was small, expensive but delicious! In fact I have been back there a few times just to get more. I can’t really review the food because I haven’t tried it. The atmosphere was busy but closed off and trendy.
HIM: We have not drank in here, but we have seen the prices and the coffee (tiny, tiny cups for big, big money!) HER: I think we still have to try this at some point.
HIM: This has been here for ages but I have never considered this a coffee shop but a restaurant but never the less we tried it on a Monday afternoon. The coffee was unremarkable, the decor similar but the food was decent portions if a little expensive. HER: I was really hungry! The food was expensive and to be honest not really amazing but large portions. I really don’t remember the coffee but I do remember the flies, so so many of them! Lots of posters and random things all over the walls which was interesting.
HIM: Tiny, tiny shot glasses of weak coffee and very expensive food. There was a weird counter where no one seemed to want to serve you. Also people leaving there laptops, mobiles, wallet and bags on the table whilst they went to the bathroom downstairs. HER: There was soup, it was every kind of squash humanly possible and Im allergic to squash. It was very organic and I’m not saying organic is bad but it seems in Islington that is an excuse to charge double. I don’t remember the coffee, oh hang on, yeah I do, I actually didn’t finish it! It was that bad. It tasted like tar and ash with a little bit of milk froth..
Him: I don’t know how we stumbled upon The Candid Arts Cafe, it’s up about ten flights of stair through a half decaying old house on the top floor, through doors, past toilets and past strange doors and then you find a long eclectic space, where they sell lots of cakes, coffees and sandwiches, but for all that it is rather pricey and the portions are rather on the small side.
Her: I like that it’s like a communal living room and the random and odd decor that looks like people have brought in, some of the paintings are ‘interesting’ too! I’ve had cappuccino and mocha in here and both are kind of cold. The salads and sandwiches are ok, that’s to say they sounds nice on the hand written boards, but are nothing special to taste. But they do have gluten free and vegan options which is always a bonus. But it is seriously over priced, but the atmosphere is always interesting.
Him: The window of the Maison d’être is always steamed up when you go past and it’s usually packed out, again I wonder why because the coffees are so small you would be advised to take a magnifying glass to see what they have served you.
Her: It’s a really small shop, with small garden and really small cups, only half filled with non-descript froth. I don’t think I noticed more than that, supposedly it’s fancy and organic, but usually that’s as good a reason not to go.
Him: 52A has been a newsagents, a bike shop and a florists since I’ve known it, now it’s a narrow little coffee shop that has more appeal than most, it sells a wider variety of teas and coffees (including turkish and african coffee), as well as cakes and deserts. The interior is small, long and narrow and can get busy with loud turkish women shouting down their phones. But all in all it’s quite fun.
Her: Honestly I didn’t even really know this place existed being so small and all.They have a variety of Tea’s (tea pigs) and a few different coffees and cakes. It is a nice little place, with loud yelling women, as you do!
Him: 2&4 Is more of a furniture shop with a coffee machine but it’s an effective little place, with pleasant staff and a ton of G Plan furniture that reminds me of my Nan’s flat when I was a kid and they have a guard cat too!
Her: There’s a kitty, it’s cute and cuddly.
This is only the start of our review of these coffee shops and we will add more once we have a sufficient number to justify another post. In the meantime we hope these reviews are helpful. Stay tuned for more in the near future.
Climbing Moss 
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