The Gantry, Brockley, South East London

Attending a birthday celebration in Brockley I got to sample one of the recently "done up" restaurants around there. The Gantry is broken up into a number of different spaces, bar, dinning room, conservatory and outside at both the front and the rear. The style of the place is generally modern but with nothing too striking to catch ones eye. The food on offer was quite wide ranging but centring in on what I would see as brunch. We were seated in the conservatory at the back and although nice and light I was bothered by a strange odour for most of my stay. 

After an enormous delay (and after some promoting) some good quality complimentary olives and bread arrived to stave off the hunger. A little later the ordered food arrived along with a few mistakes that needed to be ironed out. Despite these issues the quality of the food was good, the produce was top notch and it had been well prepared. Being with the family I managed to sample a wide range of what was available and thought each meal was a solid offering.

A pretty exciting looking Bloody Mary dominated our tables by those who had them. They were a little lacking in vodka for my tastes but perhaps that is just me. 

Of course a black coffee was my beverage of choice so lets discuss. It had a little crema but a good amount of oil tracing across the surface. On imbibing it was found to be lacking in any real kick and pretty devoid of flavour. After some time and tasting I found it carried a gentle sweetness that was quite pleasent but a muddiness towards the end and through the finish started to dominate. 

• Black Americano, drink in
• £1.70
• Weak
• Small
• A slight sweetness
• Very light Crema 

The coffee was bland and uninspired although not undrinkable. The food was good but late.

Map
http://www.thegantry.co.uk/

The Broca, Brockley, South East London, UK

The Broca is one of two coffee shops just outside of Brockley station in charming South East London. Set up by Erin and Rob, The Broca has an admirable mission to be an ethically aware community focused cafe. They provide this by sourcing ethical products and using second hand and found furniture and equipment. As well as coffee the cafe has a range of things to eat but we did not sample any on this visit.

The coffee shop is divided into two halves and has two doors, with the ordering and business end in one, seating in the other. With one side of the venue all windows, sun light streams in and fills the space well. The decor of truly mismatched and used furniture works well together but the graffiti and notice wall off set that homeliness to a more ascetic student vibration. However to counter my aesthetic critique the notice wall leads us directly back to the owners desire to create a venue focused on the community. 

The coffee came in a tea mug and was shrouded with a light brown crema. On tasting it was unfortunately a huge disappointment, it was strong but overly bitter and muddy to the taste. It was a little watery and a little burnt, so much so it was hard to pull out any of the actual flavour specifics. It wasn't out and out terrible but one expects more from a modern day coffee shop. The old mugs it was served in continued the theme of the place and the hot chocolate also being served went down well (see below).

• Black Americano, drink in
• £1.80
• Strong
• Medium size
• Muddied and a little burnt
• Light crema
• Machine: La Marazocco

To be blunt not a great coffee but the cafe has some charm and an excellent location by the station.

Map
http://www.brocafoods.com/

Fee & Brown, Beckenham, South London, UK

Moving back to Beckenham I was hugely disappointed to find not one decent real coffee house. A bounty of cafes and a few of the big chains but no one here was making the effort. To be fair most of these establishments offer a nice environment and good food but where things crash is the coffee. 


A few weeks back I spied a review on The Faerietale Foodie blog that things had changed and finally someone had opened a place serving proper coffee here in the high street where Ziggie Stardust was conceived (true) and Bob Monkhouse started his little book (this last bit is conjecturer).

I popped in on a Sunday afternoon to see if it really was the answer to my prayers. Situated opposite St.Georges church at the nicer end of Beckenham it is in easy reach of Beckenham Junction station and Beckenham green for commuters and sun worshipers respectively.


A single modern bench sits outside the modest exterior and inside we are greeted with a large open counter groaning with good but naughty things. The walls are white, the ceiling high and the light fittings many and modern. Wood benches and matching light pine tables fill the front of the cafe and a rear area is taken up by a single long seated area, good for a  large group. It is clean and modern and airy, I like my cafes a bit more ramshackle and earthy than this but it is nice. 

Out the back is ample space for a future large additional outside space, my only bone of contention with the décor was the menus on silver gilded mirrors but each to their own. After taking our order we were kindly offered a seat and I cast around what else Fee & Brown had to consume. 


Artisan sandwiches which looked the part, freshly made fruit and veg juices and the aforementioned cakes and pastries. They also had free and tasty lemon water on hand to refresh the pallet, the perfect coffee accompaniment (bar pastries).

The young staff were constantly buzzing around to attend to people's needs, they were fast, polite, attractive and lent the place a positive vibrant energy but were perhaps a little too keen to tidy up which verged on rushing. By the till they keep a manifesto of sorts bemoaning bad coffee, so the question was whether they would keep to their principles. 

We were soon joined by the coffee in neat sky blue cups, old teaspoons and the milk in a cute mini bottle. The babychino came with a large chocolate button and got the cheeky grin of approval. The americano looked good, thick dark cream shrouded a short drink. There was not much aroma to pull out from this shot but what was there smelt right. 


The initial burst of flavour and strength gave me a bit of a shove out the aeroplane of taste but I was soon free falling in joyful imbibment. It was strong and the flavour full, bitter but utterly clean and crisp. As I acclimatised a gentle sour cherry acidity emerged that lifted and lightened the mood. Overall it was full and rounded in flavour with the lighter notes offsetting the deeper bitter tones. The finish was clean and creamy lending me a pleasant after taste all the way home. 

Black Americano, drink in
£2.20
Small size
Strong 
Full rounded flavour with cherry notes
Thick brown crema
Machine: La Marzocco
Beans: Caravan Coffee


Really good coffee, strong and flavoursome, made and served well. Beckenham has a cafe saviour and it is Fee & Brown.


Map
@FeeandBrown

Bambino (Volcano), Crystal Palace, South East London, UK

Situated on the Crystal Palace triangle Bambino is one of and possibly the best long serving curiosity and vintage stores in the area. Many moons ago I bought a massive mortar from here and another time a side board, both still in my possession. Relatively recently they gained a miniature café and brew bar manned by Volcano Coffee Works.

The great thing about these combo store & cafes is you get an ever changing and interesting view inside as well as some cool furniture to pitch up on.  Whether you like coffee or not this is a great store to visit and it felt a little like Brighton too boot.

Volcano Coffee Works have their roastery in South East London so this was truly a local brew. As well as the expresso based drinks they were also offering AeroPress and V60 drip throughs.

The pricing structure is the most simple I’ve seen and I liked it. Everything £2.00. Life should be easy.

The Long Black had  a good thick layer of Crema and my compadre Jeff opted for a flat white. The barista pointed out that they weren’t serving a blend but their Honduras Especiale SHG and what a good coffee bean it was. 

It was strong espresso, and I could choose how short I would have it with my own water on the side. The initial taste showed of a well rounded full flavour and a medium body. Starting bright and fresh this coffee soon gave way to sweetness and a warming Hazelnut flavour. 

There was a slight lack of clarity on the finish and after taste but not enough to disrupt an overall positive experience.

Long Black, drink in.

£2.00

Strong

Small Size

Nutty & sweet flavour

Thick & dark crema

Beans: Volcano, Honduras Especiale SHG

Have a browse, have a great coffee; a fun place to go drink joe.

Map

Volcano Coffee Works

http://www.volcanocoffeeworks.com/

@Volcano_Coffee

Facebook

External shots: Jeff Metal

St. David Coffee House, Forest Hill, South London, UK

Nearly a year ago I attempted to go to this café in Forest Hill, South London and found they were off on holiday. I was sad as I had heard great things and I vowed to return but was it worth the wait?

The sun was pouring through into the front of the café, it contained a small but light and open seated area here. The café becomes more dense as you made your way to the back with a great ramshackle collection of furniture and ornaments including a fine collection of vinyl.

There was a good array of cake and treats on offer alongside the coffee as one would expect. The friendly staff attended to me right away and soon I was back outside in the sunshine with my coffee.

My initial sip disappointed a little as it came across as quite watery but a few gulps later things had markedly improved. Although still lacking in explosive strength some lovely distinct flavours asserted themselves.

It was a lightly citrus cup with a gentle nuttiness filling out the middle tones. The acidity and natural sweetness gave it an almost sweet and sour sensation. Clean and crisp on the finish it left a pleasant cherry after taste ringing in my mouth.

• Black Americano, take away
• £2.00
• Low strength
• Small size
• A little citrus, a little nuttiness
• Trace of fine crema
• Beans: Square mile
• Machine: RancilioClasse 10 S
• Grinder: Anfim

A great looking little coffee house with friendly service. A very nice coffee with light fruit sweet and citric flavours. Could be a little stronger.

Map

http://www.stdavidcoffeehouse.co.uk/

The Coffee Hatch, Bermondsey, South London, UK

Another gem found thanks to the London's Best Coffee app however it took me 4 attempts to buy a coffee from The Hatch in London's Bermondsey street. The first two times I couldn't find it, the third it was shut but the forth time I got my man, I mean coffee.

It literally is a hatch on the corner of Bemondsey and St. Thomas' street and is open only in the mornings and will close at various times. This slender opening window makes it ideal for commuters or die hard coffee fans.

I had been warned that the coffee from here could take its time to arrive (see below) but I found it took no longer than I expected for a quality brew.

As a take away only venue I was disappointed not to see any heat protection (extra sleeve, double cup) so walked to my office switching hands along the way to avoid burning. 

By the time I arrived, it being quite out of my way, I found the coffee to be at a good gulping temperature. 

There was not a strong aroma coming from the cup with its fine yellowish crema. However on tasting my immediate positive reaction was to the smoothness of the coffee, beyond silky.

It was generally sweet and each sip had a little cheeky cherry tang at the end. It also had some warmer tannin notes that dried the palette and over all had a good rounded flavour. 

It was sweet and clean throughout the finish and always remained smooth. This Americano wasn't packing that much strength but not too little either, just the right amount to let the beans sing. 

I was not at all disappointed. 

• Black Americano, take away
• £2.00
• Medium strength
• Sweet and smooth with a cherry bite
• Fine light crema
• Small size - 8oz
• Beans: Square mile
• Machine La Marzocco Linea
• Grinder: Anfim

Sometimes there is not much to say about a great coffee. This is a great coffee and well worth the time trying to get it. Of medium strength, a lovely smooth and sweet flavoured beverage with the gentlest of sharp cherry nibbles.

Map

Dedication to real coffee from The Coffee Hatch - http://twitpic.com/7j35g9

Dark Fluid Coffee, Brockley Market, Brockley, South London, UK

I first stumbled across Dark Fluid at the Brighton Food Festival and after some ex-Monmouth Coffee recognition & conversation I was treated to a lovely black Americano.  


Roll forward a bit and I'm in Brockely Market on a wet Saturday morning in May. I've heard that they are here and they are indeed, tucked into the corner with a subtly branded stall, serving coffee and selling beans.

The market is what we have come to expect from a city market, offering a good mix of produce and food to eat on the hoof. It started to rain so sadly we didn't get to explore in depth but it seemed like a good spread and I particularly liked the central benches for gorging and resting.  


As well as purchasing a bit of seasonal asparagus I sampled some outrageous honey roasted ham, now that was worth a revisit alone.

After a bit of banta with the baristas and a quick chat on how the little one wanted her bambinoccino we traversed the long but quick moving queue and waited to one side. The coffee arrived shortly after.


They had a good system of service on the stall and the baristas seemed genuinely into what they were doing even in the rain and early on a Saturday. 

The black americano looked good, it had a creamy light layer of crema and gave off a good strong aroma in the cold air. It had a great kick, it was a strong coffee but not overly bitter to taste. It was quite sweet and this was balanced against a good cheewy nuttiness. 


The coffee was clean and smooth throughout.

• Black Americano, take away
• £2.00
• Strong
• Sweet and nutty flavour
• Fine but thick crema
• Small size - 8oz
• Beans: Dark Fluid

Great tasting coffee, served up well; sweet, nutty, strong, hot Joe.


Brockley Market is every Saturday.


Map
http://www.darkfluid.co.uk/

@DarkFluidCoffee

info@darkfluid.co.uk 

http://www.brockleymarket.com/
@BrockleyMarket
Facebook

Ro Mo Coffee, Borough, South London, UK

Ro Mo is a coffee van situated outside London Bridge Station; to be precise it is outside the post office building. This is a brilliant location with almost continuous footfall. The location is so good I believe this stall could serve hot mud and would still make a tidy profit. 

On this grim and grey day the coffee came fast from the lone but cheery barista and he comfortably took my order whilst making the drink for the previous customer to keep things moving. 

The machine looked a little automated and the grinder had a hopper for fresh beans to be ground into, the later and the impact on freshness did worry me a little. I opted for the 8oz "small" black Americano and took it off to work. 

I did have a little issue with the cup on the way in; it seemed slightly weaker than some others which resulted in a little more spillage than normal but this is a minor niggle.

On taking off the lid and giving a good sniff I found it didn't have a strong aroma, there were however a few gentle sugary notes to be found.

The overall taste was confenctionary sweet and surprisingly smooth. It was however rather weak for my tastes and had trouble in getting across all its flavour because of this. 

The body of the coffee had some healthy tannin like licks that dried the mouth and counterpointed the sweetness. 

There was a little lack of clarity on the finish and a touch of bitterness came through here. These issues were extremely slight, and perhaps a stronger brew would have brought these negative traits to the fore.

• Black Americano, take away
• £1.60
• Weak strength
• Sweet & smooth
• Light crema
• Small size

A good solid brew backed up with a good price, fine location, pacey service and a smile. The pleasant sweetness was let down a little by a lack of power.

Map

http://romocoffee.com/

@romomobilecafes

http://www.facebook.com/RoMoCoffee

info@romocoffee.com

Village East, Bermondsey, South London, UK

Village East is one of the relatively new restaurants that have sprung up along Bermondsey Street in South London. Often full, a pleasant vibe and nice decor what sets this place apart is the staff and the management of that staff.

Every single staff member will say hello as you walk through. Everyone is friendly and jovial to talk to. Whoever takes your order does not matter as the person who serves you will know exactly what you ordered. They don't hover but wine and water will be kept well stocked. 

It lifts a good evening into a great one and makes the food and drink just that little more enjoyable.

We worked our way through the Prawn risotto, mint and pea ravioli, pan fried mullet and a pork fillet. The food was great and we washed it down with one of the cheaper (£20) bottles of wine on the menu, a Spanish Verdejo Nair. The food was great and actually quite reasonably priced at £7/8 for a starter £18 for a main special.

This was all then swiftly followed by a couple of glasses of deliciously sweet and fruity Masia Pairal dessert wine and then of course the coffee.

A smoothly scented, rich sweet aroma emanated from the cup that had just a light wisp of crema covering the surface. On drinking a pleasing cherry tart tang was discovered, it filled the front and middle of the mouth without dominating too strongly. 

This was then accompanied by a medium bodied, well balanced flavour. It was sweet and lightly creamy as the coffee neared the end.

Although smooth throughout the finish was a little fuzzy, a touch of ash and bitterness was left over here but not enough to despoil the experience.

• Black Americano, drink in
• £2.90
• Medium strength
• Medium bodied with a little cherry 
• Light Crema
• Medium size

A good easy drinking black coffee which had a dearth of flavours to enjoy without being overly complex or overpowering.

Map

www.VillageEast.co.uk

info@villageeast.co.uk