Fika

'Fika' is the delightful Swedish expression for a coffee break - a form of social interaction that Swedes take seriously. Having enjoyed many a fine fika in Sweden, I was really looking forward to this new Brick Lane café, run by young Swedes. It certainly looks the part, with typically white interior, and 'mysig' (cosy) feel created by lots of candles; there's humour too, with AstroTurf on a wall, moose drawings, and even a 'julbock' - a Christmas straw goat decoration - in the window. The cappuccino was unremarkable, so we moved on to try the short Swedish menu instead. Three small pieces of herring pickled in different ways were tiny morsels for the £4.50 charged; worse, they were little better in quality than the jars of herring you can buy in Swedish stores. This was served with some undressed supermarket bag-style salad, which recurred with the next dish - köttbullar, Swedish-style meatballs, served with lingonberry sauce and potatoes. Although made the proper way with beef and pork, the texture of the meatballs was glutinous and dreary, as if they were processed and frozen. Fika had a pleasant atmosphere, helped along by the friendly waitress and easy-listening music. But the food was no better than an Ikea canteen, served at inflated prices.