Department of Coffee & Social Affairs

Time Out says

Tue Jul 3 2012

A Supremes compilation was playing on the sound system when we came here, and just about every aspect of the place made us hear a symphony. The decor is especially welcoming, with some of the most evocative bare-brick walls you’ve seen outside Pompeii. Service was ultra-friendly.

Espresso and piccolo (espresso with foamed milk) were both well made on a Marzocco machine that was carefully tended to between coffees, and foamed milk applied with care. Beans come from assorted suppliers, with a constantly changing roster.

At lunchtime there’s a varied selection of sandwiches, and baked goodies are made both here and elsewhere (including the excellent Primrose Bakery). Our brownie and plum cake were outstanding, though the brownie seemed pricey given its size. Our only other grumble is that the espresso arrived at too low a temperature: slightly weird, since it was just a ten-second walk from the machine to our table.

But there’s an epidemic of under-hot espresso in London at the moment, so this is hardly a unique problem. Nor is it important enough to prevent another visit to this charming venue.