Tucked behind the busy thoroughfare of Angel Islington is Camden Passage, a quaint cobbled stone alley that is home to a hodgepodge of interesting shops, small independent cafes and food outlets.
Katsute 100 offers a quiet haven for patrons wishing to rest their tired feet and/or indulge in a tête-à-tête while enjoying a cup of tea /coffee. This is not your typical English tearoom. It emanates a rustic Japanese vibe, thanks to its wood furnishings and all the Japanese tea pots, tea cups and Japanese themed paraphernalia displayed throughout the store. Other than teas and coffees, they also serve beer, whiskey, as well as desserts, albeit with a distinct Japanese edge. For a relatively cozy teashop, there is surprisingly ample seating. Several small tables are available to sit when you enter the shop. There is another quieter, more intimate space in the back of the shop. In addition, outside seating is also available, both in front of the cafe and in their small leafy backyard.
We ordered genmaicha, a toasted brown rice and green tea combo. Not long after, a lovely tea cup with matching tea pot set arrived on a tray. The genmaicha was aromatic, thick but with a clean fresh taste, no doubt the result of quality tea leaves brewed at the right temperature. For those wishing to make a second cup of tea, Katsute thoughtfully provides a complimentary thermos with hot water in the shop.
Dessert offerings here are perennial Japanese favorites - strawberry shortcake, matcha cheesecake, matcha mille crêpe cake and daifuku (traditional glutinous rice cake stuffed with sweetened red bean paste.). We chose the daifuku, lightly dusted with matcha powder and decorated with a bright red strawberry. The glutinous rice cake was excellent with a perfect chewy texture, while the bittersweet matcha powder offered balance and contrast with the sweet red bean paste. We spent a leisurely afternoon with our tea and dessert whilst enjoying the mellow jazz music playing in the background.
What a gem! Katsute 100 is an unique Japanese style tea house that is worth dropping in if you are in the area. read more