A review of St Ali (now renamed Workshop Coffee)

27 Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, EC1M 5RN

Having read several rave reviews, I finally made it to St Ali this weekend. I’d had a busy morning learning about latte art at Prufrock Coffee (more on this later) and was starving hungry – what better opportunity to try it out?

Arriving to find it packed but without a queue, we were met at the door by a very friendly Aussie waitress who whisked us upstairs and found us a table. Although this was great service and meant we weren’t left standing around worrying about what to do, I did find it a little formal for what I wanted to be a laid back luncheon.

Our table was quite close to the one next to us and the vivaciousness of the two American girls sat there made our own conversation rather difficult. Still, we managed to look over the menu and decide what to order mostly through a series of finger pointing and gesticulation. The menu was a little ‘over styled’ and lacking the simple, wholesome food I so cherished when living in Melbourne (where their original cafe is located), but there was still plenty to tempt my tastebuds.

I ordered a China breakfast tea and my fella ordered a black coffee. Both arrived on tiny trays, mine complete with tea pot and mini milk bottle. The presentation was fun and the fact that ‘tea for one’ meant a pot rather than just one mug meant I was hydrated throughout my meal.  Table water was also provided as standard. The coffee tasted delicious black, with just the right amount of bitterness on the back of the tongue.

Food-wise, we both chose from the breakfast menu which was packed with tasty treats from simple museli and porridge to extravagant french toast. I had poached eggs on sourdough with some halloumi on the side. It came with some spicy tomato chutney/salsa which livened it up a bit and the eggs were cooked to perfection. I did find it quite hard to cut the sourdough though and ended up throwing half of one of my eggs on the floor after some misplaced knifework...

My other half had the corn fritters with tomato, spinach, poached eggs, and halloumi, inspired by his food envy when the neighbouring table’s order arrived. Again, very tasty and perfectly cooked.

Overall, the food, drink and service was great, although the atmosphere did bemuse me a little. It was busy and very loud, which made our own conversation stilted, and I wasn’t expecting the formal restaurant atmosphere, though welcomed the great table service. Would I go back? Yes, I think so. I’d like to try it again on a weekday when it might be quieter and have a go at sitting downstairs.

St Ali have a website, and you can follow them on Twitter.

A review of Grind Coffee Bar

Westfield, Stratford City

Have you been brave enough to hit the January sales yet? If not, and you live in/near London, why not try out the new(ish) Westfield shopping centre at Stratford? There’s free parking for up to two hours, more shops than you can shake your handbag at and... an outpost of Grind Coffee Bar in the basement.

Soon you won’t be able to get near the place without getting stampeded by tourists as its right next to the Olympic site. However, for the meantime, if you find time to pop along off peak (weekdays or evenings it’s generally not too busy) then make sure you head to the ground floor and have a coffee break at Grind Coffee Bar.

Originally a coffee cart outside a music shop in Putney, SW London, they soon became overrun with ‘cueing’ customers (so what if they can’t spell ‘queuing’?) and moved into permanent premises. Spotting an opportunity with the opening of Westfield Stratford less than two years after setting up shop, they set up their second coffee bar late last year.

In a shopping mall overrun with chains of clothing and coffee stores, Grind Coffee Bar offers a welcome hit of independent retailing and I’d urge anyone shopping at Westfield to look beyond their usual ‘safe’ option and try them out. I found the staff friendly and attentive and was pleased to see their antipodean influence spill over into the generously sized blueberry muffin and expertly poured cappuccino.

One of my favourite things about Grind Coffee Bar Westfield however, is their use of space. I know that sounds preposterously pompous, but it’s something I find really interesting about cafes. With only two walls, the majority of the space is open plan, with furniture spilling out into the main shopping arcade. However, they’ve somehow managed to give the space a real cosy feel and you don’t feel exposed to the shoppers passing by.

I only took photos on my phone as I wasn’t expecting to find such a little gem on my shopping trip, so for some much better photos check out this blog post by London Tastin.

Grind coffee bar have a website, and are on Twitter.

A review of The Pavilion

Image by Howard Barlow

Victoria Park, Crown Gate West, Mile End, London, E9 7DE.

I remember coming to The Pavilion before I moved to London and being shocked at how expensive the menu seemed. Now I’ve lived in London for a while, I’ve come to realise that the kind of consistency they deliver is worth paying for.

There aren’t many places that you can go to on any day of the week, even when they’re really busy, and still receive a hearty, spectacularly cooked breakfast. Whether you’re in the mood for a full on fry up or some decadent pancakes (piled three high and smothered with poached fruit and honeycomb butter), you can’t go wrong.

With a menu centred on breakfast, you can feast starting at around £5 although pastries etc. are obviously cheaper. There’s a full hot drinks menu as well as freshly squeezed juices and cans of fizzy pop (organic of course). The coffee is all expertly poured. We had two lattes and a cappuccino on my last visit with a heart, fern leaf and swan casually swirled into the top.

In the summer they pile the tables outside and pretty much treble the capacity. Despite the pond being drained this summer, it’s still a lovely place to while away a few hours and as soon as the water fills back up it’ll be even more idyllic. In the winter it’s a bit more of a squeeze inside. If you’re squeamish around either children or dogs, you might want to steer clear as their entry policy is extremely inclusive.

The Pavilion have a website and are on Twitter.

A review of Nude Espresso

Image from nudeespresso.com

6 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR
I popped into Nude Espresso on the way home yesterday evening as it seemed to be the only place still open around Spitalfields and Brick Lane to grab coffee and cake at 4.30pm. Although they close at 5 they were happy to serve drinks and cakes and for us to sit in to quickly warm up and refuel.

I had a hot chocolate which was rich without being sickly and they didn’t mess around with cream or marsh mellows, which I always turn down. My other half went for a flat white which was well poured, even though by a trainee. Their house blend seemed quite mellow with the warmed milk, although I did have an iced coffee from here back in the summer which packed a bit more of a punch.

They source, roast and blend their own coffee beans which you can buy for yourself and they also sell them wholesale to other businesses. With their roastery around the corner in the old cooperage yard of the Truman Brewery, the grind all goes on in the East End now, but the business has retained distinctive elements of its Kiwi heritage.

Image by @GarethReidPhoto

To accompany our drinks, we had a lamington, the presence of which pretty much made my day. A dream of vanilla sponge rolled in chocolate icing then desiccated coconut, I have never seen a lamington in the UK before, despite them being 10 a penny in Australia and New Zealand.

Their menu seems to revolve around cakes and breakfast which makes it pretty much perfect in my eyes. You can get some brunch from £2.50 for raisin toast, to £9.50 for a full on brekkie. The cakes are all around £2.50.

My only slight query about Nude Espresso is the rather utilitarian feel of the cafe seating. It’s not cosy, or somewhere I’d really want to while away an hour or so. This is probably its exact purpose - to deter lingerers who take up a seat for hours with only a latte and laptop to keep them company. But it does seem rather a shame for legitimate customers.

The staff were great though. And happily included me in their debate as to whether lamingtons are originally an Australian or New Zealand delicacy. I’ll leave you with that to ponder...

Nude Espresso website, Twitter, Facebook.

A review of Loafing

79 Lauriston Road, Victoria Park Village, London, E9 7HJ

I’ve had a horrid cough and cold lately so haven’t been out and about too much. However, the weather was beautiful today so my other half agreed to a walk in Victoria Park. Bundled up to protect my chest from the November chill, we ventured across the park to Lauriston Road. Stopping first for a swift half of Aspall and packet of crisps sitting in the sunshine outside the Royal Inn on the Park, I soon decided I needed something a little more warming and hearty.

We headed further in to Victoria Park Village and popped into ‘Loafing’, a tiny little cafe on the corner of Lauriston Road and Victoria Park Road. With a stunning window display of cakes piled high on a tower of glassware, I was curious as to the kind of savoury fare on offer. Our first selection was the cheese on toast and salmon and cream cheese sandwich. However, they’d had such a busy day that they’d run out of bread by 2.30pm (seems kind of ironic given their namesake) and only had focaccia to offer us. Going with their suggestion we had one toasted focaccia with mozzarella, olives, sunblushed tomatoes and basil, and another with mozzarella, parma ham and basil. Both were y-u-m-m-y. I had a latte and he had a cappuccino, as usual.

Most of the savoury menu is under a fiver and there’s a good selection of hearty sarnies and salads. A slice of cake is between £2 and £3 and there’s a large cold drinks cabinet as well as a full selection of hot drinks including Monmouth coffee and hot chocolate.

We could only get a table right by the front door and next to the counter so it wasn’t the most relaxing experience, with so many people coming and going. The indoor seating is limited, which I imagine may become a problem as the weather gets worse. However, today people seemed happy to sit both outside the front of the cafe and in its small back yard.

The decor is all distressed wood and vintage tea sets which looks great, but doesn’t make for very comfortable seating. I was perched on a cast iron garden chair, my fella on a rickety wooden one, and neither of us could fit our legs under the small table.


If you’re in the area and don’t fancy pub grub, then definitely give ‘Loafing’ a try. The whole experience was a little stressful, but the food and coffee delicious.

- Loafing doesn't seem to have a Facebook, Twitter or website. An interesting approach to marketing which rather suggests they don't care what people write about them...

All photography by Gareth Reid - @GarethReidPhoto

A review of The English Restaurant

50/52 Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6AG.

I’ve been frequenting the English Restaurant (previously Market Coffee House) for a while now. Since before I moved to London in fact. Being so conveniently located near to Liverpool Street station and on the doorstep of Spitalfields and Brick Lane, it’s

one of those reliable places I just keep going back to. 

I was first drawn to its quintessentially British charms when showing my Dutch friend around the city. With so many chains and imports, it can be difficult to find somewhere so traditional yet down to earth. Yes, they do afternoon tea. But no, you don’t need to put your little finger up when drinking your tea. And they won’t mind if you just want to pop in for a coffee and a cookie either.

Serving breakfasts ranging from yogurts, cereals and compotes (my favourite!) to a full English there’s always something you fancy. And with prices ranging from £2 - £9 you can even afford to mix and match if you want to!

Lunch is a bit more of a formal affair (I’m sure I once had a cheese toastie but they must have gone upmarket of late) with a wide selection including soup, oysters and salt beef sarnies. Prices are still reasonable though (sea bass / steak comes in at £15.50). Afternoon tea is served from 3pm and includes finger sandwiches, scones, mini cakes and tea. At £11 per person it’s a good alternative to the much more pricey upmarket hotels.

I’ve never stayed for dinner and think that might be slightly out of the remit of this blog, however, I have met a friend here for an after work glass of vino once or twice and the evening atmosphere is just as convivial and the wine is yummy!

The English Restaurant has a website, and is on Facebook.

A review of Esca

160a Clapham High Street, Clapham, London, SW4 7UG

My sister and I ventured away from East London this weekend to sample the delights of Clapham. Despite the rumours, south London is not only the destination of choice for those seeking to settle down, procreate etc. but a haven of creativity. During our short visit, we ambled from Clapham South tube to Clapham Common, taking in innovative craft businesses (Papered Parlour, Sew over it), designers (Lisa Stickley) and a good few cafes.

Having exhausted our feet and purses at the Papered Parlour maker’s market and open studios, we found ourselves peckish so headed down the high street to deli/cafe/patisserie, Esca. On first entering I was transported back to a childhood fantasy, the ladder used to access the floor to ceiling shelving reminding me of a particular scene in a book shop in beauty and the beast... A good start if ever there was one.


I describe Esca as a deli/cafe/patisserie because it’s almost impossible to categorise. The wall shelving is piled high with jams, preserves, olive oil, teas and seasonal produce, the front window bursting with pastries, cakes, slices and bakes and the fridges inside laden with salads, sandwich fillings and more hearty options such as baked cod or lasagne.

A real feast for the senses – you’re almost paralysed by choice. 

Not wanting to miss out on what could prove to be their trump card, we mixed and matched a pesto chicken filled wholemeal baguette, with a beetroot and orange salad, then went for the croissant pudding (with cream). Washed down with a pink lemonade and Earl Grey tea, the bill came in at about £10 each.

The food was delicious and the staff impeccably attentive and friendly. It was reasonable priced and there was plenty of communal seating at the back. My only criticism would be that, compared to the visual feast at the front of the shop, the seating area had a distinct lack of chemistry or charm. It was functional, but not somewhere I’d be tempted to linger were it not for the fantastic food.

All in all, a lovely day out.