Le Café Alain Ducasse

Alain Ducasse has pedigree that puts him amongst the most decorated chefs in the world, with around 21 or so Michelin stars across his various restaurants.  So when I stumbled onto this café in London's newly gentrified Coal Drops Yard, I was both surprised and intrigued to find out what may be on offer.

In keeping with the rarified approach to his cuisine, this is quite an experience for the coffee purist.

A small but serious looking place, a diverse and wide range of roasts are on offer, including Blue Mountain, something you are not likely to find in Pret (or frankly any of the indy's I've been to either, given around 90% of this appears to be snapped up by Japan).

The staff know their craft and appear more like sommeliers of coffee.  Pleasantly I was offered a chance to experience the aroma of the beans after they have ground them.

Need I say more? Of course it was good.

Monsieur Ducasse proves he can deliver coffee at the highest level, and for me has established himself the current champion of the London scene.

★★★★★★★★★★
Unit 16, Bagley Walk Arches, N1C 4DH
https://www.lecafe-alainducasse.com/en/

Omotesando Koffee

Named after one of the most fashion conscious districts of Tokyo, the specialist already has branches in Singapore and Hong Kong, Dubai and elsewhere, this being the first offering in London.

This is a delightful entry onto the increasingly busy Fitzrovia coffee scene.  The aesthetics are ridiculously authentic - with the wooden interior, respectful staff and precisely made pastries, it feels like stepping into a café somewhere in central Tokyo.  Even the menus appear in both English and Japanese.

A variety of coffees are on offer, the single origin pour-over changes on a weekly basis.  The one I had (Assembly) was an excellent, clean taste as one might expect given the Japanese influence

Absolutely worth a visit

★★★★★★★★★☆
8 Newman Street, London, W1T 1PB, The United Kingdom

http://ooo-koffee.com/

Kaffeine

This independent has been present in Fitzrovia for a few years, with a select couple of branches fairly close together.

Apparently inspired by the culture from Down Under, they have a number of great reviews on their site.  I can honestly say that you can believe the hype, they are one of the best I've found in the area, with a consistent and distinctive house blend.  The staff seem knowledgeable and nearly always seem to provide a level of care in their service.  My only complaint is the servings are on the small side, but a reason to keep going back for more.

★★★★★★★★★☆

66 Great Titchfield Street
London W1W 7QJ

https://kaffeine.co.uk/

Harris and Hoole (Fitzrovia)

"we are filter fanatics here!" said the barista, as I noted a degree of surprise they actually provided this option when visiting the New Cavendish St branch.  

With an excellent Rwandan house blend on offer the day I visited, it was a welcome change compared to many other west end 'indy' pretenders.

The origins of this chain seem to have a degree of involvement from Tesco, which may on the surface give the impression of a corporate monolith trying to look like an independent (it probably is).  However, if this is the result of the investment, I hope to see more of them around.

Keep up the good work please.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

136-138 New Cavendish St,
Fitzrovia

W1W 6YD

http://www.harrisandhoole.co.uk/

Soderberg (soho)

I stumbled across this one recently, seemingly a new addition to Berwick Street, in what appears to be quite a Swedish corner of Soho with several fashion shops nearby  (eg Nudie, and A Day's March) . The chain's origins seem to lie in Scotland with most of their branches in Edinburgh at the time of writing. They appear to be making all the right noises in sustainability, they also offer take-away in fully recyclable vegware cups, which is a major plus.

Not to mention the obligatory yet tasteful Scandi influenced interior, as well as friendly and knowledgeable staff its overall good experience.

Can they deliver what matters? The answer is yes - they have an excellent filter option available, dark roast (not sure of the specific bean origins though)

They even have a downstairs where they have occasional live music and one can also bring and play your own vinyl.

What's not to like?
★★★★★★★★★☆

36 Berwick St
London, W1F 8RR http://www.soderberg.uk/

Cafe Turquoise (Canterbury)

At first glance, a fairly nondescript café on a corner of Palace St.  However inside this is a delightful little place with an assortment of Italian pastries and food on offer.  It actually does not pretend to be some gourmet coffee outfit, but has a Turkish inspired feel and a very noteworthy americano.   Special note for the unapologetic 80's playlist, Alphaville & Laura Brannigan providing a particularly welcome soundtrack.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

31 Palace Street, Canterbury CT1 2DZ

The Borough Barista

An interesting looking brand that seems to have appeared in few locations recently.  This experience was in the St James location.

'artisan coffee prepared on demand' they said.  Except when you try to order a coffee, and I mean a real one.  "Americano - its kind of the same thing" said the barista.  I'm not sure what kind of outfit this is, but clearly not one that is in any way serious about its customers.

The said americano was lukewarm, weak and forgettable.

Hard pass.

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
15 Charles II St, SW1Y 4QU
http://www.boroughbarista.com/

Cube Cafe

Replacing the previous incumbent, the short-lived Tea and Glory.  Sadly it is a step backwards, as the new outfit seems to lack any sense of theme and certainly the scandi elements are not as prevalent.  I was very glad to see an aero filter on offer, although no details of the particular roast appeared available.  I have to say it was unfortunately one of the worst filters I've had in recent years.

I would avoid until it inevitably is replaced in a few months.

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

29 Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8AJ

https://cubecafelondon.com

Starbucks Reserve (redux)

*update - like all good things, the 'bucks bean counters obviously feel that offering something of genuine quality to a somewhat niche crowd is not worth doing.  Vigo street no longer offers this option...hopefully this is isn't repeated in the only other location but I am not holding my breath.  

A response from the big corporate to the increasingly discerning public and the growing trend to independent cafes and roasters, which in some respects they were a catalyst for.

As a move against the indys, the empire has struck back, and how. Generally offering three guest roasts that rotate surprisingly often, one can order an individually roasted and brewed coffee in their 'clover' machine.

So to the question - is it any good? The answer for me is a resounding yes, my recent choice was a Bolivian roast which certainly competes with some of the best I've had anywhere.


My frustration is there are so few - I have only found two in London, which given how many outlets there are, is akin to finding a golden ticket in a chocolate bar. There seem slightly more in the US but probably only in some of the more affluent areas. Also the staff themselves seem surprised when I order one, and even have forgotten to make it at times (not a unique trait at the 'bucks). I want to see them make more of this offering, which is a genuine contender and far better than many so-called 'specialist' options out there who don't even know what a filter is.

★★★★★★★★★☆
Vigo Street, London

https://www.starbucks.co.uk/store-locator/store/2888/vigo-street-6-a-vigo-street-london-eng-w-1-s-3-hf-gb

Starbucks

So here it is.  The Beast.  The Big Bitch.  The physical embodiment of globalist nightmares and a corporate black hole into which we, as free-thinking individuals, should pour our loathing.  Why do we set foot in such a place?

Readers should know I'm not entertaining the myriad of milk/sugar based candy drinks that masquerade as coffee in these establishments.  

And yet here is the thing.  While it can often be orphaned behind the baristas too busy to care, a freshly brewed cup of Pike Place still hits the spot for me.  In the UK at least, they one of only a couple of major chains that understands the difference between filter and an americano that is delivered at the press of a button. On one occasion when it had run out,  I once overheard an American visitor asking where the next branch was so he could get a 'real coffee'.  If only more people showed such integrity perhaps there would be no conflict in the world.

Haters can and probably should continue to hate.   But while there is a drip on offer, you will still find me helping to enable the neoliberal agenda.

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Everywhere

https://www.starbucks.co.uk/

For those old enough to remember, a special nod to The Seattle Coffee Company, who in the UK were effectively a trojan horse for Starbucks to enter, but for a short time in the mid 90's were even better than the real thing.

Department of Coffee and Social Affairs

This chain has been building over the past few years. While this is often a bad sign and can lead to a dilution of the original ideas, I can say I have not encountered this here.

I have visited several sites but this recommendation is dedicated to the Soho branch in Sherwood St.  Always two filter options available with an explanation of the roasts.  I have tried a few varieties so far, with a fondness for a Kenyan roast at the moment.

The staff are nearly always engaging and knowledgeable, and often ask for an opinion on their roast variety. Tiny venue so hardly viable for sitting in, which is a pity because there is often a pleasantly surprising mix of gangster rap playing, both modern and classic.  stay keeping it real.

★★★★★★★★★☆

15 Sherwood St.
Regent Street Quadrant

London, W1F 7ED

https://departmentofcoffee.com/