Another post about Coffee Shops around London that we have tried…
Brewed.Online N16
Brewed is one of these shops that we have passed a lot and never felt the need to go in to, due to the clientele – it looked far too trendy and pretentious. But being in the area and running out of coffee shops to go to and the only thing nearby is crappy thimble stuff or a once good turned awful sour coffee shop we decided to give it a go.
Inside is exactly what we expected – 3 Wheel Buggies, Meditation pottery classes and Homemade Hemp Yoga Trousers and the like and lots of people working on their laptops. We ordered the usual – 2 Oat Mochas and made sure to ask for an extra large cup – to which the Barista seemed more than a little vexed but she made it – took her sweet time – but handed the cups over with a smile and a ‘hope you enjoy’ which we were not expecting.
The coffees themselves weren’t bad, they did need mixing as all the chocolate was at the bottom, they were underfilled too but that being said it is still one of the better shops in the area – that we have found so far.
Opposite Hampstead Overground we spotted two Coffee shops. This is the first of the two and although we have been to a number of this chain around London we hadn’t been here so…..
We ordered our usual and waited – 10 minutes passed – still waiting – one of the coffee machines was being serviced leaving only one functioning. Two members of staff who were both very nice and apologetic – they were trying to do the best that they could.
In the end although the wait was long the Coffees weren’t bad – a little cold for our liking and again the chocolate hadn’t been mixed in – so it started sour and turned sweet only once we passed the halfway line and shook the cup. The first sips would have only justified a 2 star but instead it ended up being…
The Nook is the second Coffee Shop outside the station and a tiny little half of a shop – mostly selling Ice Cream, Milkshakes etc. The two Oat Mochas we ordered had the option of different strength chocolate. We chose the standard 55% ratio and chatted with the friendly staff while they worked.
The two drinks were a little small but very good! So good that we have been back a couple of times since. It is a shame the cups are just regular size because we really wanted more of it!
We were in the area and since we were craving coffee at 4pm after a long day – we headed for Colicci at Hyde Park Corner. When we got there the staff rudely pointed out that it was 3.45pm and they stopped serving Coffee at 3pm – they only serve tea from that point onward. They lectured us on how it was too late to drink caffeine and to go somewhere else! So we did.
That is where we saw the Lodge Cafe – which we have passed a number of times and it always looks packed in the summer with alfresco diners but in early March it was empty. We headed in and asked the staff if they were still serving Coffee – to which they looked thoroughly perplexed and said of course we do. So we explained and ordered our very much needed Mochas.
The Coffees were unfortunately very ordinary and nothing worth writing home about – but it gave us that little Coffee boost we needed with that slightly ashy aftertaste.
We have passed this Shop so many times in the past years – it’s always filled with people with suitcases and tons of builders – so we always thought it was more Cafe rather than Café.
Well we were wrong – Very very very wrong! Just take a look at the size of cups you can choose from!
For the first time ever – we didn’t order the largest – we probably will in the future (just because we can) The service was quick and the staff were a real pleasure to talk to. We drank our Coffees and ate our pastry upstairs in the seating area – one sip and we knew we would be back.
We found ourselves way up north – well Finchley – the other day and realized there is real lack of Coffee Shops on the High Road. Thankfully there was Holybella a Large Café/Restaurant with a nice bright interior and helpful staff. They took orders quickly and made two Oat Mochas. We took our drinks and got on the bus back home.
The Coffees were ok – not great but not bad either.
Well there you go another Mega Post of Coffee Shops all over London, come back next time for another post on something different.
Climbing Moss 