Posted: 29 January 08 at 11:00am | IP Logged

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So as some of you may know i was in Israel earlier this month to help Preston launch GLAM-OU-RAMA in Tel Aviv. There were many things that I loved over there, but two that stand out the most were the fact that there's 10 cats on every street corner, and that most of these corners had lovely little, independently owned and quirky coffee shops. It really put London to shame with our clutch of nasty Neros, common Costas, sterile Starbucks, and the likes. There are a dearth of decent cosy coffee places in town. But there are a few and I'm always looking out for more as sitting relaxing over coffee with a good book or pen & paper is one of my greatest pleasures. Here are some of my favourite places, please reply and share yours.

Soho has a clutch of coffee & tea shops worth visiting:

Amato - At the start of Old Compton St, with it's Erte & other deco decor this is one of my favourite places to sit with coffee, cake or even sometimes a meal. They also do the most amazing hot chocolate.

Maison Bertaux - Round the corner from Amato. It's old and beaten up, the tables tiny and cluttered, there's no menu or prices, the owners grumble if you just order tea and insist you have a cake with it (and the cakes have way too much cream in them); yet for all that it's sweet and oozes atmosphere (and the owners are lovely old theatre types once you get beneath their venner) and if you can get a table is a lovely place to sit over their fresh teas.

Patiserie Valiere - Further down Old Compton Street, like Amato they've the most amazing cakes and quite passable food. The service is a bit slow and when it's busy it's not as comfortable as the places above as you feel the staff wishing you to vacate your table and slowly cooling tea.

Paul - Pretty much opposite Valiere, it's become a very popular chain in the last few years with branches popping up all over town, yet for all that it's much nicer than any other 'big' company. The Soho branch is tiny, a little "too" clean for my tastes yet as it's small retains a lot of charm (assuming you can get a table) and as their cakes are so exqusite it's easy to excuse them becoming a chain. The original Paul in Covent Garden is probably still their best branch, though I've not been there in quite a while now.

Foyles Jazz Cafe - Moving onto Charing Cross Road the cafe upstairs in Foyles Bookstore is a haven of perfect cookies, subdued library chatter, and worldly wisdom. They also have (slightly unreliable) free WiFi which is always handy. It's too small though and often difficult to get seated.

Bean'N'Cup - Going right up Charing Cross until Camden you reach the B'n'C. One of the few places with sofas & comfy cushions to collapse in. A great place to meet a few friends and sit around their large tables. It's best to visit in the autumn-spring when they have hot spicy apple which is about the most blissful drink on earth. They also do some lovely cakes and rarely complain if you sit there for hours.

Candid Cafe - Tucked behind Angel Tube, just seconds from Slimelight this is a hidden gem. A slight selection of food and cakes, and a mean coffee. But it's the atmosphere of this place that's the best, grand and decandent it's one of the most Bohemian cafes in London. It's quiet and a great place to recharge away from the hustle of weekend shopping in Angel markets.

Those are some of my favourite (semi-secret) places - now before I turn into a total tourist guide, share yours.

Posted: 30 January 08 at 10:28am | IP Logged

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this was on Patisserie Valerie's website

whoa! Charlotte Church... and cake!!  That's like the best place in the world an shit!

Posted: 30 January 08 at 12:52pm | IP Logged

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well... I don't drink tea or coffee... but I do love cake...  and yes Charlotte is Welsh. 

I think she's lovely, but it'd be boring if we all liked the same things

I have been to half of those places, will have to try the others, thank you for the info