Week beginning November 4th - London Latte Art Finals and London Cafe Party

Nervous anticipation last Tuesday night as we rolled up to Square Mile roastery for the final of the London Latte Art challenge. We knew we had arrived at the right place as stereotypically, there were quite a number of fixed wheel bikes, tattoos and bearded men hanging around. Square Mile's new events room was ready, the two group Synesso was set up in the corner, and importantly, the free beer stand was just as you entered the room.

When you are talking about the legends of coffee in London, you could not get many more in the room at one time. We had the 2007 and 2009 World Barista Champions James Hoffman and Gwilym Davies, 2011/12/13 Dutch Latte Art Champion Esther Maasdam, 2010/11/13 UK Barista and 2009 Latte Art Champion John Gordon, 2013 UK Latte Art Champion Dhan Damang, 2012 UK Aeropress Champion Shaun Young and 2009/10/11 US Cup tasters Champion Ben Kaminsky amongst the crowd, and probably other champions in their field that I cannot remember or had the chance to say hello to.

Importantly, we had over 100 industry people packed into the room ready to rumble. Technical difficulties stopped us from projecting the first heats onto the white walls, but Ben and John got this going in time for the finals.

The legend that is Ross 'Brockley' Brown was compere for the evening and after a short intro from me, we were on the way.

I can't remember who was up against who in the heats, but, in what is now known as 'etchgate', the man from Prufrock, Jeremy Challender pulled out an etching into his latte art against Elyse from Talkhouse that won him though to the finals. The crowd and the judges were unsure if this was allowed, as throughout the comp we did not allow etching or animals, but as the finals were judged on 'being awesome', the judges let it through.

Timothy from Curators was against Ryoto from Prufrock for 3rd and 4th places and in a fantastic achievement, young Timothy won third place on the podium, then for the final it was Jeremy from Prufrock against James Bailey from Workshop.

We set up the now empty beer bar in the middle of the room to allow for maximum viewage and with the projection now working, we were able to see the final pours.

All heats so far had been one against one, but the final was the best of three throw down and it was James Bailey from Workshop who pushed Jeremy out of the way and said 'move aside, this prize is mine', beating him on the first two pours and taking the cash, the prizes, the trophies and the glory.

The photos from the finals are here, the photos from the rest of the heats are below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/sets/72157637103201375/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/sets/

A huge, huge thank you to the sponsors of the prizes - Coffee Hit, Square Mile and Union Hand Roasted, a massive thank you to the judges Andrew Tolley from Taylor Street, Lena and Arianna from Union, James and Jess from SQM and for being here every week judging and taking amazing photos, Glenn Watson.

Another big thank you to all those who came to Kaffeine and Square Mile over the past five weeks and supported not only the baristas, but also the scene in London.

Now for some drinking and dancing!

Christmas Party Details.

We have sold 106 of the 150 tickets available. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine and on the door on the night. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
You can pay in person or over the phone by credit card & we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 150 tickets only.

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Blueberry and bran 2.40
Savoury Scone: Courgette and feta 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Hungarian beef stew with pickled walnuts 4.50

French retro baguettes 5.00
Ham, cranberry compote, Camembert, red onion, rocket
Roasted courgette, crushed curried pea's with mint, feta, spinach

Foccacias 5.30

Red onion marmalade with mature cheddar, dijon, rocket

Smoked salmon, aioli, capers, red onion, dill, spinach

Salads: 5.50/6.90

Tenderstem broccoli with pancetta, hollandaise, pine nuts and slow roasted garlic

Pineapple, toasted Brazil nuts, gorgonzola, coriander and chicory

Swede roasted in peanuts with fresh cranberry dressing

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad

Salmon and watercress pie

Week beginning October 28th - London Latte Art Finals & London Cafe Party

That's it now, four heats complete. The top 8 are decided to go into the final at Square Mile Coffee and with the chance to win some amazing prizes as well as the potential for fame and glory.

We had another 40 people crammed into Kaffeine to watch what was happening and the pressure was on with our own lead barista Blazej and one of our senior baristas Grace were up against four staff from Team Prufrock, with individual entries by Benjemyn from Terrone and Nerius from Artigiano.

We were very lucky to have one of the leading people of the coffee scene, Jess McDonald as one of the judges, alongside Glenn Watson and returning this week, the wonderful Lena from Union.

Ryoto from Prufrock was up first against Grace from Kaffeine, with Ryoto going through to the quarters, then Jeremy Challender from P-Rock against Benjymyn, with Jeremy winning through, Kaori from P-Rock then up against Blazej 'Blaze' Stempin and again the Prufrock team got through and finally we had Gareth repping Prufrock against Nerius and he made it four Prufrock staff members into the quarters.

You could perhaps say that the crew from the number one cafe in London were not very tactical about the competition as it was now four of them competing for the last two places, but maybe they are being tactical after all and we just don't know it yet.

Jeremy against Ryoto and Gareth against Kaori, with Jeremy and Kaori being judged as the winners of heat four.

So the top 8?
Krysty, Timothy, Catherine and Thomas from Curators
Elyse from Talkhouse
James Bailey from Workshop
Jeremy and Kaori from Prufrock

Next week it starts at 7:30 pm at SQM roastery. Be there to support your favourites, cheer and/jeer as the milk is spilled, the hands shake and the pressure mounts.

Here is the link to the photos that Glenn Watson has been taking so far.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/sets/

A huge, huge thank you to the sponsors of the prizes - Coffee Hit, Square Mile and Union Hand Roasted, a massive thank you to the judges Andrew Tolley from Taylor Street, Lena and Arianna from Union, James and Jess from SQM and for being here every week and taking amazing photos, Glenn Watson.

Another big thank you to all those who came to Kaffeine over the past four weeks and supported not only the baristas, but also the scene in London. We hope to see you at the final and also at the party.

Christmas Party Details.

We have sold 96 of the 250 tickets available already. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
Also available at the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.

Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Ginger and Pear 2.40
Savoury Scone: Pumpkin and cheddar 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Chicken and wild rice 4.50

French retro baguettes 5.00
Ham, gherkin, dijon, gruyere, rocket, red onion

Tuna, rouille, capers, spinach

Foccacias 5.30

Bresaola, baked plums, spiced hazelnut puree, brie, spinachRoasted aubergine, goats cheese, Thai basil, rocket, sweet chilli

Salads: 5.50/6.90

Roast beef and beetroot, hazelnuts, coffee mascarpone, watercress
Fresh kohlrabi, fennel, carrot, pickled pumpkin, mixed seeds, goats curdRunner beans and rape greens with cashew dressing

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad

Leek, mustard and gruyere

Week beginning October 21st - London Latte Art Smackdown and Christmas Party

Three heats down now in the London Latte Art Smackdown and last week we had another 40 people crammed into Kaffeine to cheer and jeer the baristas. This week we had the owner of Square Mile coffee and 2007 World Barista Champion James Hoffman judging, joined by Glenn Watson and Arianna from Union Coffee.

It was the most intense week so far, with a dark horse from a farm shop outside Bath travelling down for the event, young Matt, who beat Kit from Dose in the first round, but then got knocked out by Elyse from Talkhouse in the second. Elyse was one of the two who made it through to the final.

Shaun Young, who placed 7th in the UK Champs this year and is formerly of Kaffeine was up against James Bailey from Workshop in the first round. Unfortunately, even though Shaun has made many thousands of coffees on our Synesso machine, he did not progress to round 2.

Another Talkhouse barista, Miguel, took on Barry from Dose in the first round, but he was knocked out and Barry took on James to get into the final. The judges had their hardest decision of the contest so far and finally allowed Mr Bailey to get through to represent Workshop on the 29th.

We also had a latte art free pour demonstration by the UK latte art champ, Dhan Damang, who will be judging at the final, as well as a special, secret visitor for the event, Mr Ben Kaminsky.

Here is the link to the photos that Glenn Watson has been taking so far.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/sets/72157636600086883/

This weeks competitors.
Ken, Jeremy, Andrew and Gareth from Prufrock
Grace and Blazej 'Blaze' Stempin from Kaffeine
Benjymin from Terrone
Westhus from Artigiano

If you want to come among and support or just watch, you are more than welcome. All the heats are now full, but if you turn up on the night and wish to compete and there are drop outs, we will get you in. We have free food and cheap beer.

Judges this week include John Gordon from Square Mile Coffee, Glenn Watson and Lena from Union. 

Christmas Party Details.

We have sold 86 of the 250 tickets available already. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
Also available at the latte art heats and the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.

Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Whitebeam berries and almond 2.40
Savoury Scone: Sweet chilli and cream cheese 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Tomato stew with rape greens and white beans 4.50

French retro baguettes 5.00
Szechuan chicken with roast pumpkin, pickled red cabbage and horseradish mayonnaise
Cooked apples and red onion, mature cheddar, Dijon mayonnaise, spinach

Foccacias 5.30

Ham, sauté mushrooms, cheese fondue, spinach
Tomato, mozarella, spicy red pepper dressing, rocket

Salads: 5.50/6.90

Ginger and cinnamon braised pork with puréed cherimoya, green lentils and garlic dressing
Poached quince with red chicory, blue vain cheese, walnuts and pennywort
Sweet potato with curried dressing and coriander

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad

Cauliflower with sea blite seeds

Week beginning October 14th - London Latte Art Smackdown and Christmas Party

Two heats down now in the London Latte Art Smackdown and this week we had about 40 people crammed into Kaffeine to watch the second heat. It was a brilliant night, short, sharp and to the point. With three of the most qualified judges in industry in Andrew Tolley, Lena from Union and Glenn formerlty of SCAE, it was a hard fought and very tight contest.

Once again though, it was two of the baristas from Curators who have made it into the final, Catherine (formerly of Kaffeine) and Thomas. Congratulations to both.

Next weeks competitors.
Benjamin from Terrone
Elyse and Miguel from Talkhouse
Kit and Barry from Dose
Shaun from Beanstalk (formerly of Kaffeine and 7th in the UK championships)
Matt all the way from Bath but we are not sure which cafe!

If you want to come among and support or just watch, you are more than welcome. All the heats are now full, but if you turn up on the night and wish to compete and there are drop outs, we will get you in. We have free food and cheap beer.

Judges this week include James Hoffman from Square Mile Coffee, Glenn Watson and Arianna from Union. 

Christmas Party Details.

We have sold 50 of the 250 tickets available already. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
Also available at the latte art heats and the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.

Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Apple, caraway and juniper 2.40
Savoury Scone: Broccoli and gorgonzola 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Spiced sweet potato 4.50
French retro baguettes 5.00
Smoked salmon, lime cream cheese, cucumber, rocket, thai basil.
Roasted red peppers, courgette, red onion, spinach and pesto

Foccacias 5.30

Ham, roasted chestnuts, mature cheddar, dijon mustard and rocket
Saute mushrooms, red onion jam, camembert, spinach

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Chicken adobo with camargue red rice and coriander
Saute rainbow chard with cumin roasted potatoes and pancetta
Purple sprouting broccoli with fromaggio sauce

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Semi dried mixed tomatoes with oregano pasto

Week beginning September 30th - London Latte Art Smackdown - Prizes and Judges

Very exciting news this week. The London latte Art Smackdown heats kick off this Tuesday and we have had very generous support and encouragement from some of the top coffee people in London with offers of judging and prizes.

Coffee Hit, Union Hand Roasted, Square Mile and Gorilla Tampers have all donated prizes for first, second and third and all proceeds from the £5 entry fee goes into the prize pool as well. 

The first heat is this week and three more heats will take place every week thereafter, with the final to be held at Square Mile at the end of the month. Eight baristas per heat, top 2 go to the final.

A massive thank you to all the sponsors and judges for being so kind and generous.

Union Hand Roasted
1st Place 1 x 12month ‘Roastmaster’ subscription
2nd Place 1 x 6 month ‘Roastmaster’ subscription
3rd Place 1 x 6 month ‘Roastmaster’ subscription

Square Mile Coffee
1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies.

1st Place - 12 month espresso or filter subscription.
They will also be invited in to roast some coffee themselves, under Jess's supervision and that roast will be gifted to their cafe.
2nd Place - 12 month espresso or filter subscription
3rd Place - six month espresso or filter subscription

Gorilla tampers are going to sponsor a one off tamper to first place.

Coffee Hit
1st Place - Comandante Hand Grinder, Clever Coffee Dripper, Filter Papers & La Marzocco T Shirt
2nd Place - Bonavita Temperature Controlled Kettle & La Marzocco T Shirt
3rd Place - Clever Coffee Dripper, Filter Papers & La Marzocco T Shirt

Judges include Glenn Watson SCAE (every night) and weekly judges are Andrew Tolley from Taylor Street Baristas, John Gordon, James Hoffman and Jess MacDonald from Square Mile along with Arianna Pozzan and Halina Klos from Union.

This is not just an opportunity for the baristas of London, it is a great opportunity for all of us to be able to get together and talk, drink, have fun.

If you wish to compete, or know someone who does, please call us direct or come into store to secure your place.

Remember too the London Cafe Christmas Party on the 9th November. Limited number of 250 tickets for this will go on sale at Kaffeine this week. 

Prizes, Glory, Drinking and Dancing. Happy days....

Please enjoy the menu this week, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Nectarine and coconut 2.40
Savoury Scone: Red onion marmalade with goats curd 2.40
Blackberry friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

French retro baguettes 5.00
Roasted courgette and red onion, curried crushed peas, yoghurt garlic sauce and rocket
Tuna with fresh tartar sauce, cucumber and watercress.

Foccacias 5.30

Roasted aubergine, sweet chilli, goat’s cheese, Thai basil and rocket
Ham, pear baked with crushed black peppercorns, mature cheddar and spinach

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Paella salad with chicken, prawns and squid
Roasted crown prince squash, beetroot, parsnips, pumpkin seeds with a basil and tansy dressing
Raw Brussels sprouts with parmesan, apple, mustard-cress and buckthorn dressing

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Wild mushroom, gruyere and tarragon

Week beginning September 23rd - The London Latte Art Smackdown & London Cafe Party

I have been thinking abut this for quite some time, and when I spoke to my staff about it, they were (are), very excited by the idea.

I personally feel very fortunate to remember what you may say was the early beginnings of coffee community in London, primarily driven by Square Mile, from 2006 onwards.

My current staff talk about those days because they heard about them in Poland or Australia or NZ and wished they were here. Like old crusty ravers sitting in a corner reminiscing about the 'good old days', we now talk about them with a fond 'oh, do you remember when?'

Square Mile in particular used to hold espresso tasting nights on a Wednesday at their original roastery, then came the legendary Ultimate Barista Fighter competitions. These events really brought together, influenced, encouraged and inspired a whole load of people to keep furthering their careers in the coffee industry in London and the U.K.

The harsh reality is, those days are over and are but a warm fuzzy memory. These two events are not to recreate those old events, these two events are a simple effort to bring together the coffee community of London as it is now, and to celebrate what we have all achieved so far, for the young coffee people to have a party, and for the old coffee people to sit in the corner and reminisce and do Dad dancing or pull a few latte art moves.

The simple premise is -

London Latte Art Smackdown Knockout:
Four Heats to be held at Kaffeine every Tuesday night in October from 7:30 pm
8 baristas per night can compete
£5 entry per barista, paid in advance at Kaffeine only. 

The barista can choose the night to compete, or we choose for them
Top 2 from each heat will go through to....
The final.
To be held at Square Mile Roastery on Tuesday 29th October
Prizes donated already by SQM, Union and Coffee Hit for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. 

Entry fee also goes to prize pool.
Obviously at Kaffeine we can only fit 30 or so people per night at a push, so please don't bring everyone.

We thought at the same time, we should also have a party. Not connected to the Latte Art, no real reason or concept except to just have a few drinks and a dance as an industry. But because it is close to Christmas, we thought we may as well call it a Christmas Party. So this is what we are doing.

London Cafe Christmas Party
Saturday November 9th
The Social, Little Portland Street, W1
8 pm to 1 am
250 tickets only available in advance at Kaffeine
£5 entry
House in the basement, 80's on the ground floor

It is hard enough running an independent business and not having the support or connections that other, much larger companies do. Hopefully these two events will be the beginning to bring together the independent industry of London and to start to inspire and motivate a whole new generation.

Enquiries can be directed to us via email.

In the meantime, please enjoy the menu for this week, as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.50

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.50
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.70
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.30
Banana bread 2.40

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.80
Pain au chocolat 2.40
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Blueberries and oats 2.40
Savoury Scone: Smoked salmon, capers and wild chervil cheese 2.40
Blackberry friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 1.80
Chocolate chip cookies 1.80

French retro baguettes 4.90
Mature cheddar, pickled vegetables, ham, rocket
Tomato, mozarella, basil, aioli and spinach

Foccacias 5.00

Speck, tomato, avocado, pickled radish mayonnaise and spinach

Roasted squash and red onions with herb ricotta and rocket

Salads: 5.50/6.50
Baby lobster, sea buckthorn berries, hedgebed, creamed pea dressing

Roasted piccolo parsnips and chantenay carrots with saute cavalo nero and wet walnuts

Brussels sprouts with rosemary, hazelnuts, russet apples and cooked in apple cider

Tart: 4.40 or 7.50 with salad
Four cheese quiche with roasted cherry tomatoes

Week beginning September 16th - The Art of Peripheral Vision

When I was 21 years old, I moved from an outer suburban pub to a 100 seat cocktail bar adjoining a brand new 300 seat restaurant in the inner suburbs in Melbourne. It was my first real city job. I started as a barman, and the bar manager's name was Eddie. He admitted many years later that he was not that impressed with me on my first few days, but all the same, after a month he had removed his assistant manager and promoted me to the position.

Over the next 5 years in particular, Eddie and I worked together in a number of restaurants and bars, and after travelling to the UK in 1995, when I came back in 98 I managed his own restaurant in Toorak in Melbourne for three years. I proposed to my wife at the closing party we had for the restaurant in front of 150 people and Eddie was a key speaker at our wedding.

Eddie taught me many, many things, and he is and has been a wonderful influence on my life and my hospitality career. We also had a huge, huge amount of fun together.

One very important thing he taught me was all about peripheral vision and the necessity of this quality in Hospitality. That is, the ability to see everything, while focussing on one thing.

- To know that a customer is about to walk in the door while you are serving a table.
- To see a piece of food on the floor (and pick it up)
- To know that a table needs something while you are making coffee for another
- To see the cobweb hanging from the roof while making a drink
- To notice the light bulb gone, or the fork under the table, or the napkin on the seat
(There are so many more, I will leave it up to you)

Effectively, to be able to see things out of the corner of your eye and be able to act upon it, thereby making your service more efficient and the customers experience all that more special.

In a book I highly recommend, Nicholas Lander's 'The Art of the Restauranteur', kindly given to me by two of our favourite customers at Christmas, he interviewed Danny Meyer and noticed that not only Danny, but most of the restaurateurs he interviewed all had this quality. They all sat facing the restaurant area when being interviewed and all of them had this 'roving eye' and were always scanning what was going on.

You could try this yourself. Drop a slice of lemon on the floor in a restaurant and see how long it takes to be noticed by the staff. Then drop a two pound coin.

I recently wrote about the 'one percents' and the effect this has on your business. I also spoke recently to a very intelligent and great coffee person about 1%'s and how quickly they can add up to make for an overall bad experience. I firmly believe, and Eddie taught me this a very long time ago, that the art of peripheral vision, and acting upon it, will greatly reduce these 1%'s, helping you to achieve your goal of 100%.

http://kaffeinelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/week-beginning-august-19th-one-percents.html

Ed, this and many others are for you and because of you. Respect and big love.

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we will enjoy bringing it to you.


Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.50

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.50
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.70
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.30
Banana bread 2.40

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.80
Pain au chocolat 2.40
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Blackcurrant and pear 2.40
Savoury Scone: Apple, mature cheddar and dijon 2.40
Blackberry friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 1.80
Chocolate chip cookies 1.80

French retro baguettes 4.90
Pancetta, avocado, tomato, aioli and rocket
Smoked salmon, lime cream cheese, cucumber, thai basil, spinach

Foccacias 5.00

Roast chicken, salsa verde, brie and rocket
Grilled courgette, red peppers, red onion, feta, olive tepenade, spinach

Salads: 5.50/6.50
Roasted chicken with pickled rainbow radish, blanched common purslane stems, boiled baby potatoes, rocket and jalapeno dressing
Turkish brown figs, profiteroles filled with goats cheese, basil, walnuts and a raspberry vinaigrette
Purple sprouting broccoli with garlic and tansy dressing

Tart: 4.40 or 7.50 with salad
Pumpkin, mustard and gruyere