Kipferl - a little bit of continental in the heart of Islington

I was so excited to stumble across this chic Austrian addition to Camden Passage (Islington). A beautiful looking cafe/restaurant - which promised to be a superbly executed continental coffee spot.

A little caution - this blog is not in the business of knocking other people's business, I'm merely (and very subjectively) saying it how I see it. So let me start with the positives:

1. Decor, atmosphere, ambiance - all very good. 
2. The service - very friendly

But that aside, I was so disappointed in this place. It promised so much from the outside. When I sat down inside, my expectations remained high. I looked at the menu and still, i'm ready to launch into a blog about how much I love this place.

Then my coffee and food came. Horrible it wasn't. Far from it, it was just so underwhelming. Being that I felt like I was on the continent, I ordered the cappuccino. I was disappointed on all levels in that it was weak, bland and really lacking.

I ate the french toast, which came with a small smattering of berries and apple compote. Chewy and unremarkable. The compote was nice but probably the only thing on the plate that deserved comment.

Maybe I caught them on a bad day. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing? Either way, Kipferl - you have so much to offer, so sort out your coffee and improve the quality of your food and you'll be flying!

Tinderbox in Angel

Where: Within Upper Street's N1 centre lies this trendy hangout with an outdoor terrace
Famous for: Really great coffee in all shapes and sizes. The flat white was delicious, perfect temperature and proportions with a strong full flavour. That aside, while I'm not usually one for sweetened 'fun' coffees when it comes to the Caramel Icebox - I make a big exception. This Icebox would have me coming back time and time again (check it out below in the milkshake glass). Ok - so it's not really a coffee, but it really was the most exciting drink i've tried in a long time.
For food: I'm a sucker for the pasties de nata (those little Portuguese custard tarts) but there is a wide variety of pastries and deserts to choose from.
Overall experience: Where the staff may lack a little charm, overall this place is a really nice haunt. With it's various seating setups from the cushioned steps, to the tucked away booths and outdoor terrace - this cafe is full of atmosphere long into the evening. The coffee is good, really good - but the Icebox is even better. Trust me!

Twitter feed @mycoffeefix

So I'm trialling a twitter feed for the first time. @mycoffeefix has been running for a few days and so far it's been an enjoyable exploration into the coffee lovers online community. 

Little did I realise (naively) that there was such a mass of coffee loving personalities, professionals and like minded individuals to feed off from- but the past week has certainly taught me a thing or two. 

Follow me, or better still recommend people that I should start following. I've only just started on this project-and it get better and better everyday.

Cardigan cafe with a viet twist (Tufnell Park)

Where: Opposite the more established Rustique - literary cafe (my last review) is this newly opened vietnamese twist on a coffee shop
Famous for: An unusual interest in knitwear adorning the walls. This light and breezy cafe brings the regular selection of brews - headlined with the Iced Vietnamese coffee.
For Food: The menu is simple, these guys know what they stand for: a handful of well prepared French Vietnamese options. The Franco-Viet baguette may not look that impressive, but it was a surprising hit, full flavoured, fresh and exciting.
Overall experience: I'm constantly on the lookout for things to pull one coffee shop apart from the next place. This place certainly does that. Unique it certainly is, with it's quirky obsession for knitting patterns and Vietnamese offerings. There was a definite buzz in the air, with residents treating it as a welcome addition to Tufnell Park's cafe scene.

Rustique, a literary cafe (Tufnell Park)

Where: 142 Fortress Rd, London, NW5
Famous for: Clue's in the name - shelves of books to browse as you sip your coffee. This place draws its inspiration from those cafes you find abroad where travellers compare notes, read philosophers and write home - only this one is in the heart of North London. It's a real departure from the humdrum of everyday where I have taken real pleasure in sitting here, perched with laptop. For this, Rustique gets my seal of approval.
Ok - so if i'm honest, I can't rave about the quality of the coffee. I can't complain neither, it just didn't really hit the spot. I ordered an Americano, which I found slightly one dimension, ironically there really isn't anything to write home about on this one.
For food: A pretty comprehensive cafe menu of breakfast specialties, lunchtime quiche and afternoon cakes.
Overall experience: Friendly staff run this friendly joint. As the weather is so great, I was invited to sit out on the back patio - overgrown with shade, benches and little tiled tables. The atmosphere doesn't buzz, but I get the sense I've not caught this place at it's peak. I think i'll give this place another shot, maybe when i'm needing some inspiration for my next holiday.

Coffee shop snobbery or just in good taste?

Rhian E Jones writes today on 'snobbery in the age of austerity' regarding our coffee shop choices. This obviously made me reflect, in the wake of my new coffee review blog - am I that snob? 

Stimulated by a Guardian online article a few days earlier, which with merit, compares the coffee offered by Pret, Nero and M&S - she teases:

"The ability to choose a higher-rated high street coffee chain may be about to be co-opted into the narcissism of small lifestyle differences and offered as one of the few remaining options for those craving the illusion of being higher up the food chain than they are." 

What does this even mean? And do I agree?

I got to admit I lumped up while reading it. But when it came to writing tonight's blog, I came to the strident conclusion that, no - i don't. Why poke at consumers like myself for making considered choices on where they like to drink their coffee. How can you even differentiate between someone who drinks Nero V Pret? 

So back off Rhian and let us enjoy our coffee ritual without judging. Besides, I prefer mine from an independent.

Click here for Rhian's full article

Antiques with your coffee...

Where: Quarterscafe, Highgate, North London

Famous for: sipping your brew on furniture your grandparents might have owned

Coffee: I had the americano served in Churchill china, was ok- slightly bitter

Food : Didn't try- but standard array of cakes and pastries with the unusual addition of a full on pan-asian cooked menu

Overall experience: love your antiques, you'll love this place. 1960s Danish chairs, walls of art and an adjoining furniture shop make this quirky little cafe a fun place to take your morning coffee. While the coffee is not the best you'll ever have- top marks for creating a feast for the eyes and laid back ambiance.