Time Out says
Thu May 13 2010
Cycling’s going through one of its ‘cool’ phases. Every east London hipster is trying to look like a cycle courier, with fixed-gear bikes, flat handlebars and lairy colour schemes modelled on bicycle polo fashions.
And that’s just one end of the fashion spectrum: at the other are the ‘roadies’, the people who follow Le Tour, subscribe to Rouleur magazine and know their Campag-equipped Cervélo from their Surly commuter bike.
It’s incredible somewhere like Look Mum! in Clerkenwell hasn’t opened before. It’s a cyle-friendly café-bar with ‘secure’ cycle parking in a courtyard (bring your lock anyway), a one-person workshop and plenty of space to hang out, snack, use the wi-fi, and – in the evenings – drink.
It’s run by cycle enthusiasts Matt Harper (the business brains), Lewin Chalkley (the coffee maestro) and Sam Humpheson (the personable mechanic), and appeals directly to other cycle fetishists.
As a cool, cycle-friendly venue, Look Mum! gets top marks. As a café, it’s pretty good, though perhaps not such a destination. The Square Mile coffee, dispensed from a Faema machine, is affordable at £2.10 for a flat white (there are also americanos, Suki teas and fresh juices).
The food’s simple – platters of cured meats (£12) or veggie platters (£10), Greek salads, baked tarts and morning pastries. Of course, there are cakes – cyclists love cakes – such as apple cake and brownies.
If you’re stopping by in the evening, there are several decent wines sold from a mere £2.50 per glass, up to £18 for a bottle of good falanghina.
The bottled beers include the usual continental suspects such as Amstel and Moritz. Just don’t try wobbling off on your bike after you’ve had a few.
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