My review is probably not representative as you wouldn't normally just pass by this place in need for a quick coffee. Located in a side street near London Fields, their regular clientele is bound to be more local and in the know. A destination for a relaxed drink or meal, rather than an obvious place for a quick coffee.
But that's what I was after. Having arrived early for an immersive "room adventure" experience which entails knocking on a door in Helmesley Place at exactly the right time, I spotted the sunny yard. There is actually a cafe opposite which might have been the more logical choice, but they didn't have a sunny garden ...
Anyhow, I asked for a coffee at the bar, paid my £2.60 and waited for a while until I was told to find a seat and that they'd find me ... a waiter actually came up to me after 10 minutes to ask for my order, and I reminded him of my existing one, asking for a glass of water to go with it ... another 10 minutes passed before my coffee arrived (still no water, all I needed was a glass - the free bottle of tap was right there in front of me as a cruel tease), just as I was getting ready to head back across the street (hence the tip I wrote at the time).
I quickly necked my cappuccino and rushed off. Having taken ages to make it was the sort of coffee that deserved to be savoured - would have been lovely to spend my spare quarter hour doing just that! read more