The Cafe Hunter

MR WOLFE

2012-02-18T07:56:00.003Z

The Find: Very excited about this new cafe in Brighton - opened earlier this month. Serving Monmouth coffee from a La Marzocco, the coffee is good. Horrah! Their tea offerings are Sussex sourced and superb too.

Cakes are amazing - made locally and to be eaten locally.

Staff are lovely and friendly and the styling of the place is simply charming.

Mr Wolfe Cafe is located in little row of shops down Montpelier Place, which although only one street back from the "main drag", has a local village feel to it. Boy will the locals be pleased.

Don't cry Mr Wolfe, try Mr Wolfe.

Where: 15 Montpelier Place, Brighton, BN1 3BH

Other info:

Web: http://www.mrwolfe.co.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrWolfeCafe

Last reviewed on: 18th February 2012

LE BAL CAFE

2012-01-03T10:46:00.002Z

The Find: Le Bal Cafe is a superb exhibition venue bringing together media in all dimensions with good food and amazing coffee. Parisian coffee has been turned up a notch since the arrival of this place

Located down a tiny passageway, near Place de Clichy, le Bal cafe is well hidden. The space is bright and airy, white and minimalist but with a splash of yellow to jazz things up.

Chefs Alice and Anna (ex-Rose Bakery) aim to bring the taste of Britain to Paris using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The offerings here are pretty spesh.

Not only does the food stand out, the coffee is also top notch. Coffees are mainly espresso-based - all expertly poured. The chemex options are good too.

If you're in Paris, Le Bal is where to get your coffee

Where:

6, impasse de la Défense,

18th Arrondissement,

Paris. Tel:

01 44 70 75 56.

Other info:
Opening Hours: Wed - Sat : 10am – 11pm, Sunday : 10am - 7pm,
Website: http://en.le-bal.com/fr/category/mh/le-bal-cafe/equipe-bal-cafe/

Last reviewed on: January 3rd 2011

STORE STREET ESPRESSO

2012-01-03T09:08:00.005Z

The Find: Store Street Espresso is pleasantly located down a newly developed tree-lined street in the heart of Bloomsbury, a stones throw from the British Museum.

Interior is minimalist - white walls, concrete floor, wooden tables, industrial lamps with a splash of natural light from the windows up above

Serving Square Mile Coffee, with guest espresso changing regularly, the guys and gals here pour consistently excellent cuppas

To accompany - there is a superb selection of sandwiches and pastries which shouldn't be overlooked

Where: 40 Store Street WC1E 7DB (Goodge Street or Tottenham Court Road Tube)

Other info:
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm, Sat 9am – 7pm and Sun 10am - 4pm
Twitter: @storestespresso

SPEAKEASY ESPRESSO AND BREW BAR

2011-09-26T11:33:00.002+01:00

The Find: Exciting times at Carnaby folks, the sister venue to Dept of Coffee and Social Affairs is now open.

"Speakeasy Espresso & Brew Bar" located in a quiet nook just off Carnaby Street, opened today (26th Sept) with "free coffee" all round. What a way to introduce oneself to the coffee-loving puplic...

The staff here are what you'd expect - knowledgable, friendly and well verse in the art of making people feel welcome.

The set up involves ground floor level espresso and a basement level brew-bar which is a novel way to distinguish between the two. Outside seating is an option too - so you can keep a toe in the iconic hustle and bustle of Carnaby. Big windows, sexy pendant lighting and local artwork help create a light and modern coffee haven.

Their espresso blend is roasted by Coffeesmiths, with a feature espresso from some of the UK's best roasters - you know the ones. The brew bar features all the usual shiny things - it's nice to see the cheeky old French Press appearing on the list of options too.

Coffee goers can also partake in cake action, nibble on pastries of all forms and enjoy sandwiches and salads of a lunchtime. Their selection is both pleasing to the eye and to the cake-hole.

Check out their coffee school too http://www.coffeesmithscollective.co.uk/coffeeschool/

This new Westend Speakeasy will be a sure fire hit. No pun intended.

Last reviewed on: 26th September 2011

Where:

Speakeasy Espresso & Brew Bar

3 Lowndes Court
Off Carnaby Street
London
W1F 7HD

Other info:

Web: www.speakeasycoffee.co.uk
Fbook: www.facebook.com/speakeasycoffee
Twitter: @_speakeasy_

SENSORY LAB

2011-09-09T15:33:00.003+01:00

The Find: Yes folks, Sensory Lab is now open and brewing.

With St-Ali rockin' over in Clerkenwell, the Melbourne folks behind it have somehow found time to open a new coffee concept over in W1.

Sensory Lab, opened in August 2011, was designed to "create a dialogue between...expert baristas and customers". Hence, coming here for a coffee feels slightly educational - but that's not a bad thing. The more purveyors of world class coffee in the UK the better I say.

Along the counter you'll find two sections - namely the espresso-based drinks station (extracted with the super-sleek Synesso) and the very cool brew station featuring the syphon, v60 and aeropress.

If you have time, pull up a stool and sit at the "brew bar" and check out the skills of the baristas behind it.

Featured on the ever-changing brew bar menu are the usual A-listers: Has Bean, Square Mile, St-Ali - never a disappointment.

Don't overlook the teas either - sourced from the lovely Waterloo Tea.

Don't come here expecting another St-Ali - it's far smaller, more exclusive and with far less 'urban' thrown in. But it's coffee boutique at it's best - simple, minimalist and no-frills (except for the very-frilly equipment of course)

Don't be daunted, go inside and let the baristas do all the talking. Get immersed in whats on offer and learn from those who know.... this is coffee.

* NEW* Look out for Sunday workshops on brewing starting soon....

Where:

75 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 1QD.
Super close to Oxford Street.
Nearest tube Bond Street

Other info:

Open 7am to 7pm (weekdays) and 10am - 5pm (weekends)
Website: http://www.sensory-lab.co.uk/
Twitter www.twitter.com/sensorylondon

Review date: 1st September 2011

TAPPED AND PACKED (TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD)

2011-08-15T13:03:00.001+01:00

The Find: After the success of the first Tapped and Packed (No26 Rathbone Place) the gang have opened a new shop.

This beaut is located at 114 Tottenham Court Road - look for the suspended bike. Luckily their second has the same Tapped and Packed "feel" as the first - quality decor, coffee flair, friendly staff.

Coffee changes with the seasons - but features some amazing blends and single origins from Has Bean, Square Mile, Climpson, Origin

You can get a pot of tea if you please, an espresso-type number.... or go for the brewed coffee option via filter, aeropress, siphon.... which they do very well.

Food here is very decent - sandwiches, soups, salads, cakes, viennoiserie, muesli and fruit - Rhodes Bakery and Violet Cakes are to blame for the yuminess on offer.

Big fan of this place....

Where:

114 Tottenham Court Road
Fitzrovia
London
W1T 5AH

Nr Warren Street Tube

Other info:

Monday to Friday: 8am - 7pm
Saturday: 10am - 6pm

Web: http://www.tappedandpacked.co.uk/

Latest Review: 15th August 2011

SHOREDICH GRIND

2011-07-01T13:19:00.000+01:00

The Find:

New and groovy.... SHOREDICH GRIND

Opened early June 2011 for

"Good coffee.... Great times"

Get on down!

Review coming soon.....

Where:

Shoreditch Grind,
213 Old Street,
EC1V 9NR (nearest tube: Old Street)

Telephone: 020 7490 7490
Other info:

Website http://shoreditchgrind.com/
Shoredich Grind on Twitter: @shoreditchgrind
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoreditchgrind

SOKO COFFEE

2011-06-14T16:13:00.003+01:00

The find: Based at the back of the city train station, Soko Coffee is St Albans' best kept secret. This tiny black and green van has become a popular coffee-stop for locals and commuters alike. The coffee is delicious and by far the best in Hertfordshire. Their beans are roasted by the top notch Has Bean Coffee - no wonder things taste so good here!

The owner/operator Charlie churns out well-presented drinks everytime.... and if she doesn't know your order today, she certainly will by tomorrow.

This coffee van has won several awards including "Best Coffee Bar 2009" and "Exceptional Customer Service 2010" in the St Albans Food and Drink Awards, which isn't half bad.

As well as your daily cup, you can order a bag of their freshly roasted beans at the van too. You can also pick up a snack for breakfast - flapjacks, cereal bars, brownies and granola bars.

The van is spotless... and well designed. It's a joy to see such a high standard of coffee come from such a small and compact van.

As an added bonus, they do things as ethically as they can... from sourcing locally, supporting independant suppliers, raising money for local charities to composting their used coffee grounds.

As a take-away option, this company has it all...

Where: The back of St Albans City Train Station (6.30am til 10.00am), Farmer's Markets and at local / national events.

Other info:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sokocoffee
Website: http://www.sokocoffee.co.uk/
Flickr Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/sokocoffee
Join their facebook page www.facebook.com/sokocoffee

Latest review: 28th August 2011

NUDE ESPRESSO (SOHO SQUARE)

2011-06-02T14:49:00.004+01:00

The Find: Soho Square has been exposed! Not in a naked way but in a nude way. The opening of Nude Espresso adds yet another string to Soho's coffee bow.

Nude has furnished us with top notch coffee in East London for years and now they have multiplied to yet another option for a decent brew in the west-end hub.

A friendly bunch run the Nude show (fully clothed might I add) Baristas are knowledgable and care about how they treat their beans. The beans are sourced, blended and roasted by Nude which brings an added dimension to this cafe. Coffee is served in pleasing black cups and packs a flavourful punch everytime.

Before you order have a read of the edible options on the blackboard wall which spans the length of the cafe. Almond croissants, chocolate brownies, aussie lamingtons, fresh paninis or banana bread w honeycomb butter (winner!)

You can grab bags of their in-house roasted coffee here too. Six quid gets you a bag of the good stuff with a free coffee thrown in.

You can opt to sit either downstairs or up on the mezzanine floor where you can admire the buzz below.

If espresso based drinks arn't your bag then you can always have a pots of tea. How British.

Nude can be found at the Oxford Street corner of Soho Square so is a handy stop-off no matter which way you're heading.

Don't be rude - get to Nude

Where:
Nude Espresso (West)
19 Soho Square
W1D 3QN
Tel: 020 223590

Other info:

Nude has come to the West End (as of 10th May 2011)

Winner of "Independent Café of the year UK 2010" awarded by the Café Society
If you are a fan of their coffee you can order beans online via their webshop.

Monday -Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday - Sunday 10am-5pm

Last reviewed on: July 29th 2011

Web: www.nudeespresso.com/cafes/soho-square/
Twitter: @nudeespresso

GROUND (KEMPTOWN)

2011-05-16T15:28:00.003+01:00

The Find: If you find yourself in Brighton then you'd be mad not to visit Ground. This neighbourhood coffee house located in Kemptown village is just what Brighton's coffee scene needed. It's perfect for a sea-air pick-me-up and is well worth the wander out of town.

Here at Ground, owners Matthew and Richard have carved out their vision of the perfect cafe. A relaxed vibe, good music, tasty snackettes and very drinkable coffees. All this with a nice dollop of ethically mindedness it's no wonder that Ground coffee house was named "Best Cafe" in Brighton's Foodie Awards 2010. Testament to their hard work, friendly service and quality offerings.

At Ground you can sit both inside or outside on their cleverly designed street-side bench. They have seats at the bar so you can ogle at baristas or nosey at the edibles on offer. The rest of this corner cafe has a nice variety of seating at wooden tables - comfortable for one, two or even a group.

There's a suspended cork-ceiling above and wooden floors below, a bookshelf to have a peruse and water in floral kilner bottles to help yourself to.

Beans are sourced from Union Hand Roasted and are handled with care by well trained baristas and extracted using a shiny red La Marzocco. A range of single-origin coffees also feature and are constantly on the change which is nice to see. Aside from espresso based drinks a small range of other brewing methods are also on offer (namely pour-over and aeropress) They even have a snazzy reverse osmosis filtration system in place too. Now that's fancy water for you.

If coffee ain't your bag then opt for a loose leaf tea, a tasty chai, a Belvoir presse or a Fentimans bubbly number.

Do get excited about this place. But keep your feet on the "Ground"

*NEW* little birds tell me there's a new Ground cafe opening soon... watch this space!

Where:

Ground Cafe
36 St Georges Road
Kemptown
Brighton
BN2 1ED

Tel: 01273 696 441

Other info: http://groundcoffeehouses.com/

Mon - Fri 0700 - 1800
Sat: 0800 - 1800
Sun & Bank Hols 0800 - 1700

Last Reviewed on: 16th July 2011

ST ALI

2011-04-20T09:52:00.003+01:00

The Find: Finally, the St Ali folks from Melbourne have made it across the water and opened a branch in London. Life has just got better!

Once an old and dingy nightclub, Number 27 Clerkenwell Road has been transformed into a masterpiece of contemporary and industrial design. Sporting exposed brick walls, a custom-made wooden counter, galvanised chairs and chunky wooden tables, St-Ali has gone all out on the visuals making this a truly stand-out venue.

Their name in light-bulbs as you enter shows you the way to the counter where you'll no doubt be greeted by an Aussie voice. There's an upstairs and a downstairs where you can enjoy both coffee and cafe-style food with table service thrown in.

Staff here are brilliantly friendly and will look after you from start to finish - whether it's keeping you hydrated with water served in milk bottles, advising you on coffee choices or making you smile with friendly conversation.

St-Ali brings something quite different to the London cafe scene - here you can get breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee from early until late. The restaurant upstairs aims to bring an internationally influenced menu which matches and compliments the coffee on offer. The menu, presented on clipboards (of course), is mouth-wateringly well-considered and will tantalise any well travelled tastebud.

Beans are roasted on the premises and extracted using the UK’s first Slayer espresso machine (bow-down) halogen syphons and drip filters - there's some seriously cool brewing going on here. Above the roaster is a skylight which brings in heaps of natural light and the living wall adjacent to it brings a slice of nature not to mention a wow factor to the venue. With their name paying tribute to the Patron Saint of coffee it's no wonder the coffee is given the utmost importance. Coffee is prepared by St-Ali approved baristas - they sure know what they're doing.

Check out their coffee making genius here:

http://www.stali.co.uk/ and here http://twitter.com/ST_ALi

Now stop surfing and get your arse to St-Ali

Where:

St-Ali London
27 Clerkenwell Road
Clerkenwell
EC1M 5RN

Nearest Tube and Mainline Station: Farringdon

Other info:

Emails to tim@stali.co.uk
Phone on 020 7253 5754

Last Reviewed on: 16th August 2011

DEPARTMENT OF COFFEE AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

2011-04-19T17:25:00.004+01:00

The Find: It's official, Leather Lane is now a destination. Ok so the market has always been there - but what this street lacked was decent food and rockin' coffee. Now it has both.

Raw, rustic and edgy - the Department of Coffee and Social Affairs is all these. With exposed brickwork, hardwood flooring, wooden tables and jet black chairs it's very much urban with a twang of rustic charm.

The space is a renovated architectural ironmongers, which still looks unfinished, but that is what gives Department of Coffee and Social Affairs it's charm. You'll love the copper tap where you can help yourself to tap water.

The coffee is top notch. Using beans from East End roasters Climpson and Sons the baristas churn out quality espresso every time. Tea is also well regarded here - with loose leaves all round. If you're peckish then the cakes and sandwiches are as impressive to look at as to eat so be sure to give them a go.

Owners Tim Ridley and Chris McKie from New Zealand went to school together and have re-connected over coffee. Together they founded The Coffeesmiths Collective which has helped ramp up the standard of coffee across London.

For coffee-wannabees they hold a regular "coffee school" to learn tips and tricks from those that "know". For more details check out http://www.coffeesmithscollective.co.uk/products-page/coffee-school/. As for you business types they have a meeting room which is available to hire and is well worth checking out. Imagine having a meeting without having to stomach the usual tea and coffee served up from an urn.

The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs is a friendly place where you feel at home from the moment you walk in.

If you don't want to carry out your social shenanigans here then I don't know where you would.

Where: 14-16 Leather Lane, London, EC1N 7SU

Chancery Lane and Farringdon are the nearest tube stops

Other info:

Opening Times for Dept of Coffee and Social Affairs:

Monday - Friday

07.30 - 16.30

Saturday and Sunday

10.00 - 16.00

http://www.departmentofcoffee.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/departmentofcoffee
www.twitter.com/deptofcoffee

Last Reviewed on: 30th June 2011

NOTES MUSIC COFFEE

2011-02-18T17:13:00.010Z

The Find:

*NEWS* It's been announced this week (7th Sept 2011) that Notes Music Coffee are opening a second shop - on Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London. Horrah! Estimated opening is late-september but watch this space!

Notes Music Coffee opened its doors at the latter end of 2010 and since then they have been buzzing, and rightly so. They serve consistently brilliant coffee - in all forms. A nice range of espresso-based drinks on the one hand, and a full brewed coffee menu on the other. Using beans from Square Mile and Has Bean this place is on the pulse with the best roasted coffee around.

If you've an eye for snazzy geeky equipment then feast your eyes on these beauties: An Uber boiler brew bar, La Marzocco Strada, with Syphon, Aeropress, Woodneck Cloth and Eva Solo thrown in for good measure.

The cafe has a lovely feel to it - high ceilings and spacious but welcoming at the same time. There's a long serving counter as you walk in with a few bar stools at the end (front row seats for syphon prepping action!) Seats up the other side are in a bench format with sliding hessian sack cushions. There's also a large communal table at the back with a skylight and an impressive spider like light hovering above it.

The music and movies section at the back of this store, holding onto the shop's roots, is equally brilliant - make sure you saunter over there after finishing your java for a browse of whats on offer.

The location of Notes, right in the mix of the West-End, is superb - it's at the bottom of St Martins Lane, next to the Coliseum, a convenient 5 minutes from both Leicester Square and Covent Garden. With late opening hours too (til 10pm some nights) this is a great place to have up your sleeve if the coffee urge hits you later on in the day / early evening.

If they cover up the food (in the sunken fridge where people reach across to pay) then this place would be close to ideal (!)

Thanks to Fabio and Robert of Flat Cap Coffee for bringing Notes into our lives!

Where: 31 St Martins Lane, London, WC2N 4ER

Other info:

Website: www.notesmusiccoffee.com
Twitter: twitter.com/notesmusicoffee
Co-owner Fabio: twitter.com/faenrique

Last Reviewed on: 7th September 2011

THE MISSING BEAN

2011-02-18T14:53:00.004Z

The Find: Let's get straight to the point - The Missing Bean is by far the best place to drink coffee in Oxford. At last, someone has brought good coffee to this vibrant and historical city.

This independently run espresso bar with a friendly buzz and antipodean style coffee is a perfect place to stop when you are need of a caffiene fix in this lovely city. A combination of well trained baristas, a La Mazocco and decent beans (Glasgow roasted, distributed by locally based UE coffee) result in a decent cup of coffee with every visit.

There's a fair number of seats but at weekends it gets busy. You'll have to hang around in the doorway and bag yourself a table when you see someone doing the "just leaving" shuffle. The window seats are a particular treat - you can't beat watching the Oxford bods go by whilst sipping a very satisfying cup of joe.

Food offerings go from sandwiches, cakes and muffins to pastries, cookies and doughnuts - all very simple but do the trick everytime.

You'd be mad to miss this bean.

Where: 14 Turl Street Oxford, OX1 3DQ

Other info: Website http://www.themissingbean.co.uk/ | Phone: 01865 794886

Last Reviewed on: 17th October 2011

LOOK MUM NO HANDS!

2010-09-13T20:19:00.005+01:00

The Find: Opened in April 2010 by trio Lewin, Matt and Sam, this cycle cafe has gone from zero to hero in a matter of months. Housed in a converted warehouse in Clerkenwell, 'Look Mum No Hands' has bags of space and equal quantities of character.

The owners certainly like bikes.... they clearly like good food.... and boy do they like coffee. Sourcing from the ever-popular Square Mile, they obviously have good taste when it comes to bean buying. What they do with their beans is pretty nifty too. Their "top" barista is the one to look out for...and the one you want your drink to be made by.

The food offerings here are great - salads/hot dishes are made on the premesis and are fresh, spesh and change both seasonally and daily. The pies look tasty and the locally baked cakes round things off nicely.

This licensed venue is part-cafe part-workshop, which is proving a popular concept with the punters. You can order a coffee and wait for your pride and joy to be fixed up. But it's not just a place for poorly bikes, if yours is healthy then do not dispair, you can just as easily park up in the courtyard in one of their secure brackets (BYO lock) and enjoy the joys of the cafe alongside the unhealthy-bike-people.

Just incase you hadn't realised, things here are biketastic - walls are covered in cycle-themed prints, frames and forks hang at every angle and there's a noticeboard to keep you up to date with all things bike. Watch out for bike events and films being shown on the big screen, as well as exhibitions and events here and there too.

All in all it's a top place to hang out - whether you're a biker or not.

Wonder if Boris will get on one of his bikes and come for a brew... don't spoke too soon

Where: 49 Old Street, London EC1V 9HX

Other info:

Website: www.lookmumnohands.com
Twitter: @1ookmumnohands

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 07:30–22:00, Sat 09:00–22:00, Sun 10:00–22:00

TAPPED AND PACKED

2010-05-26T16:35:00.005+01:00

The Find: Tapped and Packed is the kind of place that feels like it's been here forever. This could have something to do with the skill with which they prepare coffee.... like they've been brewing here for donkey's years.

The lucky lot in Fitzrovia have got it so damn good. Not only can you get meticulously prepared espresso based drinks here but you can also get an unrivalled variety of brewed coffee here too. From the commonly used pour over and cafetiere methods to the little known aeropress and impressive siphon techniques. Brewed coffee is there thang.

Alongside some wonderful espresso blends, they have a range of Single Origin coffees to get your taste buds ticking. Sourced from a handful of the best artisan roasteries the UK has to offer - Climpson and Sons, Has Bean, Square Mile Coffee and Union Hand Roasted. The staff are self-confessed coffee geeks so expect a textbook approach when ordering. This could mean a little wait for your drink but perfection takes time you know.

Located at the Tottenham Court Road end of Oxford Street (also near Goodge Street station), Tapped and Packed is ideally located for when you get that central London coffee urge.

The food is not the focus here, but that's no bad thing. Timeout London heavily criticised the lack of food offerings and even deducted a "star" for this niggle. But whats wrong with offering quality over quantity? And sticking to simple things done extraordinarily well? The guys at Tapped and Packed are coffee athletes.... they knock the socks off cafes who would rather offer an extensive and generic food menu but pay little attention to their coffee. No thanks.

Their list of suppliers, for everything other than coffee, speaks for itself - Postcard Teas, Choki of Brockley, Paul Rhodes Bakery, Soul Fruits and Violet Cakes. They have a very nice little "porridge bar" where you can help yourself to all kinds of lovely toppings from a tray of kilner jars.

Tapped and Packed offers a modern, chic and friendly space to unwind - wooden benches at oak tables, stools at the bar and leather seats stretching along the left wall form the seating in this place. A neat clock arrangement, low pendulum lights and re-used treacle pots for the sugar just add that little bit extra. They also exhibit local artists work which is always a plus point.

Chess club is on it's way, as are a host of coffee-related courses to get your teeth into, check their website for details.

So when you find yourself in W1 and need a cup of Joe, look no further than No 26.....

*News* Well done to the crew at Tapped and Packed for coming Runners Up in the "Best New Coffee" category of the Timeout Eating And Drinking Awards 2010. Pretty good achievement in the first year of opening! Read more about the Timeout Awards here www.timeout.com/london/feature/519/time-out-eating-and-drinking-awards-2010

Where: 26 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JD

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 - 20:00 | Saturday 09:00 - 19:00

Webby Stuff:

Website: www.tappedandpacked.co.uk/
Twitter: twitter.com/tappedandpacked
Blog: tappedandpacked.wordpress.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/London-United-Kingdom/Tapped-and-Packed/325501333446

THE PENNY UNIVERSITY

2010-05-19T11:05:00.007+01:00

The Find:

*NEWS* Unfortunately this pop-up coffee palace is no longer, d'oh. Maybe one day the Square Mile gang will venture into the retail side once more (pretty please)

Well folks, the long awaited retail venture courtesy of the Square Mile Coffee crew is very nearly complete. The Penny University is coming to London. How exciting!

If you're up and about on Saturday, get your legs moving down to Redchurch Street, East London to find the so called Penny University in all it's glory.

The Penny University is opening it's doors Saturday 22nd May 2010 in London at the grand olde hour of 10:00am. You could be one of the first to rate or slate the new James Hoffman venture.

Located a stones throw from Prufrock, The Penny University will inevitably welcomed with open arms by folks already used to having access to tip top coffee in this area.

We have high hopes for this place - let's hope it fulfils our expectations

The Cafe Hunter's review of The Penny University will follow shortly.... watch this space....

Where:

Address:
~~The Penny University,~~
~~5 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ.~~

~~Underground: Old Street or Liverpool Street tube are the best bets for getting to The Penny University.~~

Other info: Email: info@thepennyuniversity.co.uk

KILIMANJARO COFFEE

2010-05-02T14:22:00.003+01:00

The Find: This coffee institution stands proud on the bustling Nicholson street in Edinburgh’s Southside and is firmly on Edinburgh’s coffee map.
With the same owner as Edinburgh’s much loved Wellington Coffee (http://www.thecafehunter.co.uk/2009/04/wellington-coffee.html) and Press Coffee round the corner it isn’t surprising that Kilimanjaro Coffee is paving the way for coffee lovers all over Edinburgh.

They use Square Mile Beans, extracted on a Synesso machine. The constant flow of fans through its doors show just how good the coffee in this place is.

They have a straightforward menu – a few sandwiches and paninis, a selection of soups and not forgetting the Kili-breakfast for £5.80 which gets you the works ... haggis and all.

The decor is unfussy and practical – furnished with plain and simple wooden chairs, photos of Africa on the walls and a big window for people watching. It's not a place you'll remember for the interiors. A single red sofa is the pick of the seats – grab it if you can.

You’ll be glad to know it’s open most of the week .... including early evenings and Sundays.

Mon-Fri 745 – 830 / Sat 830 -800 / Sun 830 -800

In their words - relax, unwind, re-energize.

Where: 104 Nicholson Street, EH8 9EJ

Other info:

THE BOTTLE KILN

2010-05-02T13:59:00.002+01:00

The Find: You'll find the Bottle Kiln nestled between Nottingham and Derby on the A609 in a town called West Hallam. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, The Bottle Kiln is a crafty venue combining a cafe with an art gallery, craft shop and Japanese tea rooms.

The dining is canteen-style where you grab a tray and collect your food at the counter. You can then choose between a variety of seats in several arrangements around the cafe, all very comfortable in a snug kind of way.

The cakes are mind blowing - all handmade on the premesis and an absolute treat to eat. Similarly, the quiches and pies are unbelievably delicious... and well worth the drive if you're not a lucky local.

Maxine Beadsmore is the in-house coffee guru at The Bottle Kiln. Making it to the UK Barista Championships Semi's in 2009 she's bringing both coffee know-how and sought after skill to The Bottle Kiln.

Her enthusiasm for coffee appears to be rubbing off on her peers.... all staff attempt latte art and are conscious of making a decent cup. The coffee is good.... and is an important part of what they do here. It's nice to see a place making such an honest effort to make a decent cup.

The staff are lovely and will always indulge in a natter if you're feeling friendly. If you want some quiet time though they have a lovely range of subscription magazines covering topics from food to travel, craft to design. It's the sort of place you'll stay in for hours...

Where: West Hallam, Derbyshire, DE7 6HP

Other info: http://www.bottlekiln.co.uk/

WILTON'S

2010-05-02T13:10:00.001+01:00

The Find: Here's yet another super-cool venue to fuel your caffiene habit.... and its East Londoners who win again. Perched in central Hackney, Wilton's opened it's doors late 2009 and since then has developped quite a following.

Created by David McHugh and Dominik Prosser, Wilton's is a well-designed space cleverly mixing old with new. A corrougated steel bar proudly houses their La Marzocco, whilst reclaimed crates have been blessed with wheels for use as movable tables or seats. A few funky lights brighten the place up and the sash windows let in plenty of the natural stuff.

As for the coffee - it's top notch. Expert baristas create Antipodean style drinks using locally roasted beans courtesy of Climpson and Sons. The menu is well crafted and so too is the coffee.

It's not really an eating venue but the modest menu of Sourdough toast, salads, bacon sarnies and sausage rolls will fill a gap if necessary. Having said that, they deserve praise for their pick of artisan suppliers - Neals Yard Dairy, Brindisa, Ginger Pig to name a few.

Wilton's is certainly a place to feel a creative buzz. Exhibitions from local artists fill the walls whilst the booth in the corner houses London Fields Radio, which adds a unique and quirky dimension to this coffee shop.

This is a must visit venue and well worth the journey if you're from the West.

Where there's a Wil(ton's) there's a way

Where: 61 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG

Other info: www.londonfieldsradio.com/cafe

ARTISAN ROAST

2010-03-08T16:20:00.003Z

The Find: Artisan Roast is a superb cafe and roastery in Edinburgh's New Town. The name says it all really - they passionately combine an artisan roastery and a cafe which serves some of the best coffee in Edinburgh.

The cafe itself grew from a "tasting lab" where people would meet to taste different roasts and learn more about coffee. From their initial vision the gang at Artisan Roast have gone from strength to strength. This place is now a coffee hub which has ignited Edinburgh's coffee scene

The friendly staff certainly know their espresso. Each coffee served here is spot on - with bags of flavour and oodles of passion. They make a puncy flat white everytime.

As you walk in you won't be greeted by a defensive counter or one of those generic display fridges (phew!) -instead an open space with a coffee machine and a till create a homely and welcoming atmosphere and form the backbone of this cafe. The decor is rustic and very much coffee orientated... who needs wallpaper when you can use coffee sacks?

The rest of the space at the front is taken up with a few high stools and of course their roaster. Not only do they roast the beans they serve in the cafe, they also supply tailor made blends to well regarded cafes and restaurants around Scotland, such as Eteaket and Iglu Bar and Bistro.
Artisan Roast is less of a slouch around all day place and more a destination to grab a takeaway coffee or a bag of freshly roasted beans to enjoy at home. Having said that, the "Mooch" out the back provides a nice space to enjoy a more leisurely coffee break, with comfy chairs, funky lighting, local art, magazines and board games.

You won't be disappointed after a visit here .... this place dots it's (art)I(san) and crosses it's (roas)T's.

Oh and JK Rowling didn't write here.

Where: 57 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3RJ

Other info: Artisan Roast can be found online at http://www.artisanroast.co.uk/

ARTISAN ROAST GLASGOW

The Find: Another branch of Artisan Roast (cafe and roastery combo) can be found in Glasgow at

Where: 15-17 Gibson Street, Glasgow G12 8NU

Other info: www.artisanroast.co.uk/our-cafes/glasgow

BREWED BOY ESPRESSO

2010-03-04T17:20:00.006Z

The Find: Peek-a-brew?! Thought that Soho had enough third-wave coffee bars? Think again.

Good coffee in London has gone mobile. Check out the kart located just off Brewer Street. A little wheelable cart (used to be a piaggio van) which goes by the name of Brewed Boy .... thumbs up for whoever thought of this one!

Walk past the handbags and gladrags on the Brewer Street market and perched on the end is this cart which is doing the world of mobile coffee proud.

You'll of course be excited to hear they are waving the Square Mile flag here and owner / operator Rob sure knows how to work his beans, he'll make you a cracking drink every time.

If you're wandering around Soho and fancy sipping something tasty as you take in the sights then this cart is a must. Flat whites and Chelsea buns - awesome!

To be brew-tally honest, you'd be mad to miss it.

Where: Rupert Street, just off Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1D

Other info:

Brewed Boy is twittering at http://twitter.com/BrewedBoy and blogging at http://brewedboy.wordpress.com/

PRUFROCK COFFEE

2010-02-21T16:03:00.002Z

The Find:

*NEWS* Prufrock Leather Lane branch is now open and can be found at 23-25 Leather Lane London EC1N 7TE. Super close to Farringdon Station (Feb 2011) The review below is for the original Prufrock which is still going strong on Shoredich High Street:

Finding Prufrock Coffee isn't easy. But once you find it you'll be bursting with pre-caffiene-intake glee.

Prufrock Coffee can be found at 140 Shoredich High Street, in a men's clothing shop called Present. But it doesn't have a sign for either. Instead, look for the Golden Horn Cigarette Company, and you'll be laughing.

This is the latest creation of Gwilym Davies, the highly regarded coffee genius (aka World Barista Champ 2009) and his Sweedish counterpart Mattias Bjorklund (Swedish Barista Champ 2009) - what a pair!

Beans are roasted by James, Annette and the gang at Square Mile. The Menu is a mere 8 points long - flat white, latte, cappuccino, cortado, espresso, macchiato, long black and coffee beans 350g. Not a panini in sight.

Seats, what seats. Just perch on the bench outside if you need to rest your limbs. This place isn't about long drawn out afternoons in a comfy leather sofa. It's about coffee.

Promoting all thats good about indie coffee in London, Gwilym has launched a "Dis-loyalty Card". Make sure you pick up one of these much talked about cards and go and get your stamps at the best East-End coffee institutions. You'll be rewarded for your efforts with a free coffee at Prufrock.

After your coffee prehaps pick up a nice new pair of Happy Socks or a Nigel Cabourn Shirt. There's lovely.

Where: 140 Shoreditch High St, E1 6JE and 23-25 Leather Lane London EC1N 7TE

Other info: Prufrock is here http://prufrockcoffee.com/
Email the coffee guys at info@prufrockcoffee.com

Gwilym can also be found here http://twitter.com/GwilymDavies

MARWOOD STUDIOS

2010-02-18T13:26:00.005Z

The Find: The recently opened Marwood Studios is providing Brighton's cafe-goers with an edgy alternative to the current offerings in the city.

The decor is different - some would say eclectic cool, others might call it hotch potch, either way, Marwood has bags of personality and you can't argue with that.

The cafe is a chaotic yet mesmirising place full of the reclaimed, recycled and re-used. It bursts at the seams with memorabilia and nostalgia - everytime you look, you'll keep on seeing more. A washing line clips up the variety of tea on offer and an antique cabinet shows off their yummy range of cakes. Whilst sipping your brew, try and spot the cctv camera, the ice skating boots, a computer keyboard and door 52.

Prehaps the coolest thing about this quirky place is the studio space upstairs which can be rented for creative projects - keep your eyes peeled as this is going to bring exciting things to Ship Street.

As for the coffee, well, they use beans from Mozzo Coffee - arabica, fairtrade, organic and all that jazz, but nothing spectacular. The coffee is good, and better than the norm, but it doesn't blow you away. Top points for effort though. The sign outside promises 'kick arse coffee'.... maybe one day.

The food is super basic - toast with marmite, vegemite and nutella, with cheese toasties rounding off the menu... but the cakes are scrumptious and well worth a try.

If you liked the relaxed and jovial service then pop a tip in the 'cow tipping' pot on the counter.

All in all, The Marwood is well worth a try.

Where: 52 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF

Other info: Tel: 01273 382 063, Web: http://www.themarwood.com/

GINGER AND WHITE

2010-02-17T15:32:00.003Z

The Find: Bucking the current trend of antipodean style coffee shops which are springing up left right and centre, Ginger and White is waving the GB flag. With union Jacks on the walls, union Jacks on the cushions, Ginger and White is a truly British Coffee shop (with a slight aussie twang) This cafe is a breath of fresh air in North London and a welcome addition to Hampstead Village.

Ginger and White is a well considered cafe which cleverly welcomes all manner of customers, from groups who want to natter round a communal table, to those alone who want a window seat for web browsing and people watching. Mummys and daddys with buggies fit right in, but so do couples looking for a table alone in a cheeky alcove.

With a relaxed vibe, cool music and friendly staff. The ambience is pretty damn good too.

Rustic and reclaimed furniture fills this place - a big and central communal table surrounded with church chairs and leather seating with crates as tables. The menu's are on clipboards, and there are hooks for your coats. Dandy.

The big table has crayons in mini-buckets for their younger clientele, newspapers for adults, as well as homemade peanut butter, jams from England Preserves for you to communally feast on.

Outdoor seating is plentiful, with heaters for those chilly mornings and breezy lunchtimes.

Using Square Mile Beans (currently serving the winter blend) the gang and Ginger and White deliver impressive espresso based fayre. Coupled with one of their mouth-watering homemade cakes you can't go far wrong. Don't come here for Grande, they don't do them. Just flat whites and all that jazz.

Unbelievably good weekend brunches, delicious salads and Brit inspired cakes mean the food gets the thumbs up too

Jolly good.

Where: 4a - 5a Perrin's Court, Hampstead, NW3 1QS

Other info: check out their website at www.gingerandwhite.com