Boy did we dodge a bullet there.
Moving back to Sydney in May 2019 was probably the smartest decision we made. Although we miss our london life dearly, raising a family in the midst of a pandemic is probably best done with the love and support of your family close by, Plus it also gave us a reason to expand our little family by 1 more! With the love of coffee still burning in my soul, the search continues for the best coffee around , and some absolute gems have been found... Looking forward to sharing them in the following blogs to come Adriana xx
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Two years have past since my last post so I'd thought i would pick up with one of my favourite new establishments...Kanella & Co.
A modest establishment in the heart of Dulwich, this family run business pride themselves over good coffee and greek culture, both of which I have a keen interest in - especially when it comes to traditional greek pastries taking you back to yiayia's house in the village. The first thing you see as you walk in is the delicious spread of cakes and pastries inviting you to forget the diet and submit to your tastebuds for the ultimate bite of home-made goodness! and boy it does not disappoint! Personal recommendations: You can't go past the bougatsa , a traditional greek custard enveloped in filo pasty , or for something more savoury the gooey cheese toasties are ALWAYS a good idea, and for the road an olive or cheese and spinach pie will definitely hit the spot. And how about the coffee? Always on point, strong and smooth using Small Batch Coffee Roasters' making for the perfect pastry pairing Kanella & Co , thank you for existing and gracing Dulwich with your presence. cannot wait for my next fix very soon! Love Adriana xx I'm always up for trying out a new place, so with my 25th birthday on the horizon, this was the perfect excuse to see off my 24's doing what I love most...
I've had my eye on 161 Food + Drink for a while now - In the middle of the unassuming 'suburb' of Sydenham you wouldn't expect to find such an establishment so passionate about good food, wine and coffee and with 'touches of Australian Influences' this one had to be tried and tested. My morning started with a perfect Flat White (too excited to take pictures sorry!) and the home-made beans on sourdough (sourced from my fave bread ahead borough market .) Within half an hour of opening, the place is buzzing - a constant flow of coffees, homemade pastries and brunch specials are dished out displaying the mouthwatering selection of goods on offer . It's clear that this seems to be the ONLY place in the area who knows anything about good food and coffee - a gem with friendly service and food to match. amongst the dodgy dry cleaners, pound-shops and gas stations . Being my birthday and all - I couldn't help but take home a cinnamon scroll for later (should've brought two in end). If your'e in the area these guys are definitely worth the visit ! Dark skies and rain are for the most part, a guarantee here in London, which has taken some getting used to, however today proved that you don't need the sun to brighten your day - just some good coffee and the odd treat to accompany it. While some relish in the fact that sundays are a day of rest, with little open and little to do, I see them as an opportunity to explore the city usually filled with hustle and bustle and feeling like you have a little piece of london all to yourself... Coffee was had at Browns Of Brockley conveniently located across Brockley train station and is well worth the trip. The baristas are serious about their coffee, carefully constructing each one to ensure a perfect cup every time - strong and smooth just how we like it . It's a small place but it works: clean wooden interiors and dim lighting make for an intimate setting, countless cakes and pastries line the window and I couldn't go past the fig cheesecake pairing nicely with coffee indeed. We then figured if you can't have the sun you may as well settle for the next best thing - Round, golden gems of light - So after coffee we headed to St John Bakery near London Bridge - A unique set-up underneath the railway line where you will find an industrial bakery that only opens to the public on weekends with possibly the best cream filled doughnuts you will ever have, today's choice was jam, chocolate, butterscotch or vanilla. Vanilla is my favorite although all are pretty amazing, I couldn't wait to get home so we sat outside and scoffed half a doughnut each before heading back - the random tables and chairs outside this industrial complex finally made sense as one can not simply purchase a doughnut and leave without taking a bite. So there you have it, proof that the darkest of skies can bring out the best in a city and that sometimes it's not always the posh restaurants or most popular cafes that can make your day but the hidden gems that make you appreciate the simple pleasures. Love Adri Xx The only thing better than a free Sunday is one beaming with sunlight, an extra hour of sleep and of course… coffee.
Todays adventures lead us to a sourdough bakery and cafe based in East Dulwich. If your'e perfecting the art of a good loaf and quality coffee, you have already won me over. Brick House Bread bake their bread onsite and serve Square Mile Coffee - A combination fit for anyone who appreciates the simple pleasures of quality staples. One step inside and I was in heaven. Their large and spacious electrical warehouse-come-bakery is a refreshing change to the typical London cafe; flooded with natural light and neutral tones, I fell in love with the place before we even had a chance to sit down. Heading straight to the counter to suss out the cakes, I noticed all the loaves had already been sold out - (mental note to come back again early). We got the blueberry Brioche and cinnamon bun which were both equally amazing and complimented the expertly crafted coffee. A winning combination for a perfect end to the weekend. Brick House Bread 1 Zenoria Street, East Dulwich, London, SE22 8HP Much Love Adri Xx Good coffee in London is becoming more accessible than ever before, which begs the question - how far would you travel for a good brew? Turns out, some would make a whole day of it ;) So when we heard such good things about Grind coffee bar we had to try it. Plus we hadn't yet travelled to Putney so it was a good excuse to explore another corner of London. To our luck we had a free Sunday, a 40% chance of rain and no major train delays or disruptions - It's as Perfect as you're going to get in London . With coffee on my mind, it felt like forever to my first cup of golden goodness for the day. But it was definitely worth it. At 10:00am the place is already buzzing with cyclists, gym fanatics, families and couples - you could tell it was a local favourite, I'm already kicking myself we didn't leave earlier - but soon enough we had a table and our latte orders were taken. We had made it. Even with all the buzz its still a great place to chill out and zone out - it's an open and airy space and the outdoor courtyard definitely helps absorb some of the noise giving it a very peaceful vibe. Owned by our fellow kiwi friends , Grind roasts its own espresso beans so you know they are specialists in what they do. Their cakes and pastries aren't so bad either and that familiar accent makes you feel a little close to home. Although the breakfast menu looked amazing we only got coffee and cakes this time round. The blueberry slice was just divine - the perfect amount of tang and sweetness. The brownie is as you would expect - triple choc and very rich (best enjoyed with a long black). As for the coffee, well it was perfect - Bonus points for mastering the latte art with almond milk. Grind coffee bar has been one of our fave cafes so far. Not only because it's in a great area, but the coffee , service and food is well worth the travel. Love Adri Xx Grindcoffee.com @grindcoffeebar It was never going to be easy settling into a new country, job and home. Amongst the basic necessities that needed to be done (i.e. setting up a bank account, phone number and gym membership) there was one critical life component that needed to be addressed ASAP. Every good coffee Lover needs one - A home away from home, where you can get your fix of that liquid gold goodness, have a good rant to your barrista about that hectic week at work and perhaps a cheeky slice of that lemon meringue cake you've been eyeing all month. Its a daunting experience on a high street that has about 20 cafes all calling you into their rustic vintage-inspired decor. But thanks to my trusty partner in crime and validation from @caffeinemag I knew Fee & Brown was going to be something special. A simple, cosy and humble set up in the heart of Beckenham with amazing espresso blends from @caravanroastery and some of the best cakes I've EVER had I knew this was it, Like love at first sight I could see my future weekends flash before me; quiet Sunday mornings, good company and good coffee - (and maybe that Lemon Meringue cake). It's probably best to get there early. Perhaps around 9:30am - Sunny Sunday Mornings are always my favourite. Before your Sainsburys and Waitrose open for business, and the families with their incredibly cute and energetic little children come through those doors. I recommend the window seats to watch the world go by as you enjoy the beginning to a now amazing caffeine filled day. Much Love Adri Xx @feeandbrown @caffeinemag @emmahopefitch |
AuthorAdriana Petrie |