Que Viet on the Pho Mile

I’m still puzzled why it’s taken me so long to enter the doors of Que Viet, I mean I must have walked past it a thousand times and for some reason I have never entered.

Brunch @ Etcetera

Between Dalston Junction and Stoke Newington there are have been an astonishing amount of new cafes, restaurants, bars an hipster hangouts opening up.

Some More Coffee Shops, this time in London

I am currently in coffee heaven. The amount of new and good, small independent coffee shops that are popping up in London these days, is blowing my mind.

Everywhere I look I’m finding great new shops, some are just serving good coffee, in others there are people who have a real passion, a desire to serve you the best cup of coffee ever, plus dispense advise on which brew is best for you and how to brew it.

Some New York Coffee Shops

I always seem to map out where I can get a good cup of coffee wherever I travel to these days.

Although on that 10 week trip through 5 Asian countries with work, a year and a half a go, I never drank such bad coffee on a regular basis before. I vowed it would never happen again.

Saying that, I remember in Chile when I asked for an espresso in a coffee shop, they gave me a tin of Nescafe and a jug of hot water to make my own. Unreal. Apparently I found out Chile is bad for coffee, where as its neighbour and/or enemy, Argentina is quite good.

New York Tales : Chelsea Market

2 years ago when we were first in New York returning from our year in Colombia, we found Chelsea Market and loved it.

It was relatively unfrequented back then, and finding somewhere to eat was not a problem. Rolls on 2 years, and all this has changed. Chelsea Market is definitely one of the more popular places to eat on this side of Manhattan.

Tapped and Packed

I'd been recommend to visit Tapped and Packed by a few people ever since a shout was put out for more coffee shops for me to try. I was hoping for some closer to home, but these things are never as you want them.
Tapped and Packed have two stores one number 26 and the other 114. Neither of them are on the same street, but you'll have to goto their website to find out where exactly they are. More fun that way.
I had some urgent studying to do for an interview I had the next day. I needed to remember what sights are in which Indian cities, so I thought a trip into busy central London and away from the sereneness of Stoke Newington was the best thing to do. You could see I was slightly stressed and not thinking straight.
I went to 26, which just happens to be literally in front of Koba where we were a few weeks before sampling some fine Korean cuisine.
There is no sigh mentioning Tapped and Packed, just a large 26 glaring out at you like a beacon. For some reason this never hit me, I walked straight passed it, hit the corner and it dawned on me that I was there. Was a million miles away.
It reminds me a lot of Fernandez and Wells but with a slightly less industrial look and feel about it. Tapped and Packed has a few more seats and some nice seats against the side wall with nice mini tables   to the side. Reminded me a little of the Middle East in that way.
I was here to relax and study. Fat chance. The place has a good buzzy vide, with plenty of foot traffic, so i gave up trying to remember which city the Jamal Masjid is in and enjoyed my flat white and a baguette of chicken and a lemon thyme mayonnaise.
The flat white with its wonderful latte artwork, drunk well. Nice smooth roasting of some fine beans made this one of the nicest flat whites I've had in a while.
The lemon, thyme mayonnaise and chicken baguette was nice. It was nothing spectacular, i was a little saddened that it was not warmed or toasted, but the choicken was soft and juicy, the mayo was more lemon than thyme. But it was pretty good. Sorry no photo, as I'd ate most of it before i thought of taking a snap.
They have a wide range of other baguettes and some salads and soups on offer, which all looked pretty good on the eye. But it's the coffee that this place will drag me back time again and again.
On the interview the following day. It went well. Hopefully I impressed them enough to offer me the job. I'll find out next week no doubt when we are in New York.

Foto Friday # 93

Vietnamese coffee in the old imperial city of Hue in central Vietnam. There is something about the sweet condensed milk and the strong nutty tasting beans that makes this perfect. Also it is a delight to look at as well.

Brunch @ Lantana

Through some weird set of events we ended up eating Brunch at Lantana a couple of times in as many weeks. I’d been meaning to eat there forever but other things got in the way. Mainly the Breakfast Club and Caravan. But finally we did it and again.

Lantana is small, and I mean small. After queuing for 30 minutes we were asked if we didn’t mind sharing a table (to eat now) or wait even longer for a table for just us to become available.

I don’t mind sharing but as the room is pretty small and everyone is closely packed together, my ribs took a beating from the guy next to me, as he seemed only to be able to use a knife and fork with his elbows stretched out.

The food at Lantana is really good and a far cry from the normal English fry up. All hail to the down under brunch set I say.

My favourite is the slow cooked Boston beans with some pork belly topped off with a poached egg. I mean how can this combo not entice even the strictest vegan into meat eating. OK slightly dumb comment but it is a bloody good dish. Unxious beans with a tender and soft piece of pork belly, and you get to mix in egg yolk as well. Heaven pure heaven.

The baked eggs are another winner, especially with the lovely feta they use. The posh version of bubble and squeak is a far cry from my Sunday night suppers as a child. I wish then we would have had black pudding, but my parents looking back on it seemed to have a dislike of it.

If I had a quibble about Lantana is that the portions are on the tad small size for the prices, but the cooking is exquisite. So cannot grumble too much. But I felt I had to.

Lantana is a great place and I’d love to try it in the week, when I hope the queues are not too large. Weekends can be a bugger. But as it is absolutely nowhere near my house, a special visit has to be made, but as the Breakfast Club and Caravan are so much closer, we always get distracted.

My Favourite Coffee Shops ……

There was a time when I didn’t drink coffee. It is so long ago that I cannot remember those dark, non-caffeine fuelled days. I also cannot remember the moment when this neo addiction started. Maybe it was sometime around 1992, that I am pretty sure, but when or where, who knows. As the years go by, the memory fails you see.

Like most people with a dependency I am willing to travel far and wide to get my shot. Thankfully I am very happy that I’ve not discovered any places outside of London where I feel a need to go for a double espresso. Phew.

Well apart from half a dozen places in New York city, one in Alexandria in Egypt, and at least 20 places in Vietnam, and also not forgetting that cafe in Kuching. Ohh and that small but oh so fine place up in the mountains in Filandia in Colombia. But apart from them, everywhere else is in London. So far.

I’ve been thinking for a while now which is my favourite coffee shop, but it is so difficult as they all mean something very personal to me.

So I thought I would just write about them all, so in no particular order here goes.

Monmouth Coffee Shop in Covent Garden

Their double espressos in ceramic are heaven on earth. I’ve only ever sat inside once and never really enjoyed it. I much prefer to stand outside come rain or shine and watch the world go by. Great for people watching.

I used to come here a lot when I was doing my stint as a chef at Café Boheme.  On my 4pm break, I was always fucked and needed a quick fix to try and revive and relax me a tad. It never failed. Nowadays I can fully appreciate the bitter sweetness of their coffees a lot more, plus the staff are great and know so much about each and every coffee that it makes choosing which one to buy so much easier. My coffee of choice is their espresso mix.

Fernandez and Wells on Beak Street

Out of the 3 closely knit Fernandez and Wells this is my favourite by far. Not that the others do not have their virtues, but Beak Street has a lot of what I love. People and odd ones at that.

But it’s those double espressos that keep me coming back, and either the low tables by the window or the high stools opposite the counter. It’s also their orange and lemon flavoured waters that give life back into these old weary bones.

The sandwiches and rolls that are toasted are pure heaven on earth. My current favourite is the black pudding and egg breakfast roll. Damn it is good.

We always go to share, but hey when a roll is this good you have to have one for yourself. They also do a particularly good egg custard tart, which I try and keep down to once in a while. Even writing that seems a lie.

The coffee is sweet and nutty and gives me that oh so good boost at any time of the day. Highly recommended.

Federation Coffee in Brixton Village

I’ve unfortunately only been here a few times, but I was a fan from day one. They have moved premises now. Well is diagonally opposite and into a larger shop, which means there is more space to sit back and watch the now hordes of people who are discovering how good Brixton is.

A part of me wishes the press hadn’t discovered this place, as I felt it was my little secret just for me, and a few other people only. But now I have to share it with everyone else. Damn.

The staff in Federation are well knowledgeable on all things coffee related, and sadly now a little harried on a Saturday afternoon. Poor souls. I saw a woman who was in front of me in the queue, and sat outside waiting for her coffee and came inside to demand where her coffee was after a few minutes.

So rude, people like that do not deserve to be able to drink good coffee.

Allpress Espresso

I wish I lived nearer to here. Damn their coffee is good, roasted on site as well. The paninis are amazing as well with such great fillings.

It really depends on which way I’m heading to Brick Lane or Colombia Road as whether I drink here or at Nude Espresso. But if I’m gonna move east next time this is where I want to live.

They also do coffee sessions, where you can learn to make the perfect cup of coffee at home for yourself. I’m still waiting for this as an early birthday or late Xmas pressie. Still waiting.

Monmouth Coffee Shop in Borough Market

I am really beginning to hate Borough Market. The hordes of tourists who come here to look around and not buy anything more than a few olives and bread. Grrrrrr …

The queues outside this outlet of Monmouth coffee are outrageous. But a fix is a fix and sometimes if I’m desperate I have to queue. I hate it though but I have to, but it is great people watching standing outside listening to people brag about what they have just brought and going to cook.

Nude Espresso near to Brick Lane

If I’m heading into Brick Lane from Spitalfields then this is my coffee shop of choice. The place has a great vibe and serves a great flat white, actually one of the best in London in my view.

I’ve not eaten in here, but I should really, as I’m sure the food here beats a lot of the rubbish that is sold in and around Brick Lane and the indoor markets.

Noridc Bakery

What can be beaten than to sit down with a book, drink great coffee in a relaxing shop with a pickled herring and egg roll. Heaven.

Tinder Box in Angel

This is the best shop in north London that I have found. I actually preferred their old shop on Upper Street. It was just a mishmash of seats that never should have worked but it did. Thankfully in the newer shop with its clean wooden seats they still brought along two of the old airline seats and plonked them by the window. They really don’t go, but it’s a blast from the past.
There is also a branch inside Westfield out in Strattford if you are ever shattered and need of a sit down before venturing out to do some more shopping.

Foyles Café on the 3^rd floor

I love this place, it is bursting at the seams on most days I’ve been. But even with the noise, the hustle and bustle, the constant chattering form the tables around, I can still sit here with a book, read, drink a cup of coffee and relax, and I mean really relax. Shame you cannot take the books from the shelves in here.

Photographer’s Gallery Cafe

Another great place to sit and ponder on life’s great mysteries over a mug of coffee. Plus you get to look at some great photography. I’m getting impatient and cannot wait for the gallery to reopen. It’s been far too long.

I am still searching out more great places to drink a cup. If you know of anymore or want to share your favourites please let me know, as you will make an old addict very happy. Thanks.

Sandwich Time @ the Nordic Bakery and Paul Rothe and Sons

I’ve been hearing about the Nordic Bakery for quite a while now, actually quite a while, but for some reason I just never managed to venture inside and sample the delights that it has to offer. I know I’m not a follower of fashion but this is taking the piss a bit.

The Nordic Bakery is a great place to sit, relax, drink a cup of coffee, nibble on a sandwich or a cinnamon bun and read a few chapters of a book.

I opted for a pickled herring and egg sandwich. An interesting combination that works perfectly, the tangyness of the herring with a sharp dressing and boy do I love boiled eggs in my sandwiches. A throwback to my old schoolboy days.

The latte comes in what can only be described as a mug that would satisfy a giant. It was big. The coffee was just ok, which is a shame as the treats on offer, the vibe, the ambiance of the place is second to none. Get better coffee guys. If Fernandez and Wells can do it then so can you.

Another great sandwich shop is Paul Rothe and Son, which has been around for over a hundred years. It’s hard to describe this place. It’s a shop cum café cum deli all rolled into one.

I’ve never sat down and eaten here, as it is normally full so I always get a takeaway. It’s one of the few places I have found that actually sell cold cuts in their sandwiches. The tongue is my favourite and always on light rye, with English mustard. I’m a creature of habit and when I find something I like, I normally stick to it. Look at me and Wagamama and its chicken katsu currys.

They put just enough mustard on the bread so you can taste it, but it lets the tongue take centre stage. As it’s the only reason I go there.

It’s an old fashioned place with old fashioned values. A rare thing these days. I just wish it was either near my house or my work so I could eat there more regular.

Foto Friday # 10

A fine cup of coffee served to me at the end of a 12 hour journey. Cost 5 rupees.

Ca Phe

My addiction to caffeine came on rather late in life. It all started in Israel on Kibbutz Ein Carmel. Having a cup of coffee and a chat with Marit made working on the animal farm all the more better. I miss those days, sitting outside in the sun, surrounded by chickens, geese, sheep etc. talking about everything and nothing. My caffeine habit continued over the years, as I started to buy low quality beans from various outlets. Finally when we moved to London, I started buying higher quality products at the Algerian Coffee Store. Now I was on the hard stuff. 

My kinda coffee mornings continued all the way till I quit work in late January, as I would go with someone to buy a coffee at Cafe Nero. Coffee for me is more of a sociable activity than a solitary one. In this way it resembles drinking Mate, that fabulous Argentinean beverage, which is supposed to be drunk with other people. 

On this trip I found the Japanese are not really coffee drinkers. We found one or two good places to buy, but not that many. I managed to get my fix most days in Hong Kong at the Pacific Coffee House. Thailand and Cambodia were a bit of a washout, as I refuse unless sheer desperation sets in, do I go into a Starbucks. 

When we arrived in Saigon, I knew I was in heaven. I had dabbled with Vietnamese coffee before, back in London. Nothing major, just 250g here or there ..... That burnt buttery taste and the thick dark elixir was divine. So I was so happy to be in its spiritual home. So after finding our hotel, dumping the bags, I literally ran out the door for a little pick me up. What I encountered excited me. I was given a cup and a metal drip filter on top of it. This filter looks like a top hat, the lid rests on top and is used as a saucer for the filter once the coffee has dripped through. If you are in urgent need of your fix, this process can really mess with you, as it is excruciatingly slow. But believe me the end result is fantastic. 

What surprised me, was the inclusion of sweet condensed milk, this I haven't encountered since I was a child, as my mum used to use it a lot, but it went out of fashion in the late seventies or early Eighties. At first I have to say I really didn't like the sweet taste, but after the following few sips, it started to grow on me and by the end of the cup I was hooked. What I had is known as Ca Phe Sua Nong (Hot milk coffee) in Vietnam. This became my regular fix. I find Vietnamese coffee without the condensed milk much to bitter. It's almost like overdosing on the stuff.

Generally by late morning or early afternoon, when the temperature would get too much for me, I would have to have a Ca Phe Sua Da (Iced Milk Coffee). Heaven. Same preparation as before, but you either get a glass of ice as well for you to either add to the coffee after it was done or vice versa. I preferred to add coffee to ice, as the glass was always cold and it cooled the coffee quicker. Sometimes you would get it all mixed together for you, which just takes all the anticipation away for you. It's the fun, letting the coffee drip down very slowly into the cup. 

What really annoys me is that some places automatically think that we only drink Nescafe. Really annoying these stereotypes. I mean how many people actually enjoy drinking instant coffee, once they've tasted fresh coffee. 

For me one of my over riding memories of Vietnam will always be its coffee. I am well and truly hooked. Lifetime addiction. Now how am I going to get Vietnamese coffee in Colombia. 

Thankyou Marit, May your Soul forever fly free ....

Saigon, Saigon

I had always had high expectations of Vietnam, especially its food. I suppose this has come about from so many people I know coming here and raving about it so much. 

I have passed through Bangkok so many times over the years, and it is quite baffling that it has taken me so long to come to Vietnam. But as they say, good things come to those who wait. 

We entered Vietnam from Cambodia. So Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City was our first stop. It is a really busy city, lots of life, great vibes. Shame there are 5,000,000 moto's ploughing the roads at high speeds. Makes crossing the road an interesting past time.

After a delayed check in to our hotel, and my first taste of Vietnamese Coffee and several bananas, we ventured onto the streets of Saigon. 

After seeing a lot of places catering for tourists, doing western food we were in need of something filling, but not too heavy. 

We wandered down a small alleyway and came across a small restaurant with an open kitchen on one side of the alley and the tables on the other side. Now if a restaurant is brave enough to let you stand there and watch your food being cooked, then it can't be all bad. 

So we took a table and ordered 2 bottles of Bia Saigon. Much needed refreshment. 

We ordered some fresh Salad Rolls, Lotus Root Salad and Pork with Lemongrass and chilli (which I have eaten now several times and is fast becoming a personal favourite.) 

When we bit into the Salad Rolls, the first thing we tasted were the fresh herbs. This is how I expected them to be, and we were not let down. 

The Lotus Root Salad was similar to Green Papaya Salad, but without the heat. of its Thai cousin. Really really good. 

The Pork and Lemongrass & Chilli, as I said before is fast becoming a favourite of mine. Seem to be having it everywhere. It's the combination of minced lemongrass and chilli that drives my taste buds mad. Simply Delicious. 

Walking around the markets, you can see the amazing fresh produce, this for me is what makes Vietnam such an exciting culinary destination. I for one and going to eat my way through it.