Terence Conran's newish Albion Caff (Brit East End parlance for café) is a great space, but it's the small details that really make the place. The r
During my recent weekend trip to stay with friends in Leicester, I wasn't expecting to have time to check out many coffee shops. Nor did I have any time to do any research, but having enjoyed an espresso from Leicester-based St Martin's Coffee Roasters at this year's London Coffee Festival, I did have at least one café on my list — and one that is relatively close to both the train station and my friends' house. We spent Saturday outside the city but on Sunday morning, craving coffee, we ventured into town. The plan was to head straight to the St Martin's cafe located on St Martins Square (apostrophes, or lack thereof, throughout reflect official sources). Walking along Market Street, however, we were intercepted by a woman handing out vouchers for free coffee. I was skeptical but as soon as I spotted the 200 Degrees branding, I knew we were onto a winner. Their Leicester branch opened in March 2017, but, according to the voucher, rather than spending 'thousands of pounds convincing you how good our coffee is, why not just try one for free?' Why indeed? The Nottingham-based roaster also has shops in Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham and Cardiff; I haven't visited any of the other branches, but had heard good things. With its sleek, black awning, 200 Degrees stands out from its Market Street neighbours. The interiors are rustic, spacious and — given the dark colours — surprisingly bright inside. Armed with our vouchers, we headed to the coffee bar and made our orders — a cortado (£2.40) and a cappuccino (£2.90). There were two espressos on offer: the 'Brazilian Love Affair' blend and the Fazenda Ouro Verde, a single-origin also from Brazil, and we opted for the latter. There was also a Guatemalan coffee available as V60- or Aeropress-brewed filter coffee (£3.20). I assumed (wrongly, as it turned out) that I would be able to have a hand-brewed filter at St Martin's, so I was sorry I didn't also try brewed coffee at 200 Degrees. As it was a warm day, we went to sit at one of the pavement tables. My friends' dog was welcomed outside and brought his own 'doggycino' (an Acme cup of water). The coffees soon arrived and my cortado was really excellent: sweet, smooth and nutty. My friend also enjoyed his cappuccino. There were plenty of cakes on the counter and the lunch service was just about to start when we were leaving so I didn't get to see the sandwiches and other light meals on offer. Something to try when I return! After a historical visit and lunch, we finally made it to St Martin's. St Martins Square is actually more of a crescent, with several interesting eateries. Indeed, my friends had eaten before at Crafty, the gourmet burger bar that materialises at St Martin's on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The café itself was fairly busy when we arrived on Sunday afternoon, but there is plenty of seating — mainly rustic wooden furniture with pops of vibrant primary colours — both downstairs and in the upstairs room. It was very light and airy in the café and the décor gave it a cosy, homey feel. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the market for any coffee beans on this trip, but I enjoyed browsing the colourful selection of St Martin's single-origin coffees. When it was my turn to order, I asked which single-origins were available but alas, there was only one batch-brew option, while the Friday Street blend was in the hopper for espresso-based drinks. As such, we went for the same cortado/cappuccino combo as before, with my other friend ordering a mint tea (I forgot to note individual prices but the three drinks together cost £6.30). The breakfast and lunch menus (which included avo toast, pancakes and rotisserie chicken, among other dishes) sounded amazing, but after a big lunch, we stuck to a peanut butter brownie (£2.50). It seems I will have my meals all planned for the next time I come! I've tried the oh-so-drinkable Friday Street blend before (coincidentally, it also uses a Brazilian Fazenda Ouro Verde, which featured in my 200 Degrees coffee, but combined with a Rwandan variety) and enjoyed it, and my cortado was nicely brewed at St Martin's. The other drinks got thumbs-ups too, and we devoured the brownie in no time. There was a really nice atmosphere in the café with a diverse set of customers, from young families, to students and, well, us. It was a lovely place to hang out after our historical learnings. 200 Degrees. 10-12 Market St, Leicester LE1 6DP. Website. Twitter. Instagram. St Martin's Tea & Coffee. St Martins Square, 2-6 Saint Martins Walk, Leicester LE1 5DG. Website. Twitter. Instagram.
Here you will find a serendipity of fabrics: cotton, velvet, flannel, here fabrics showcase flashy colors and wild prints (flowers, polka dots, checks, lemons). Most of the brands are American or Japanese, such as Cotton+Style, Cloud9, Art Gallery, references that are almost impossible to find in France.
dump but not trash / ig:@redrolz
Felix Roasting Co.’s first outpost beyond New York City offers a highly curated coffee experience, from their hickory smoked s’mores latte to their branded sugar packets.
The cute corner coffee shop we’ve always dreamed about is officially open! Magnolia Press sits on the corner of 8th and Webster, just a short walk down the street from the Silos. Here’s a look at how it all came together: Opening a coffee shop felt symbolic for what we hope people find when they […]
Here's what's on our radar this week. Heidi Swanson whips up a concoction for staying hydrated this summer. For the urban adventurer: strange finds in NYC.
À l’instar de la haute couture française, l’artisanat français connaît un franc succès à l’échelle internationale. L’artisanat français reflète en effet la tradition, la créativité ainsi que l’inventivité. Un savoir-faire exceptionnel allié à un mode de consommation plus responsable séduit de plus en plus les consommateurs. D’ailleurs, le secteur est en plein essor, car la […]
One of my favorite morning rituals used to involve strolling with my dog down the block to the corner cafe. I’d sit outside on the front patio with my dog and a strong cup of coffee. I was particularly in love with a special spiced coffee that the cafe dripped to order. Several spices were included in the blend, but […]
Anthropologie (dyed coffee filters)
A good interior design can do as much for a cafe, restaurant or bar as good food and drinks can. We made this list of 20 establishments to show you some of the best bar, cafe and restaurant interior designs in the world, and most of them have even won awards for their interiors. Creating […]
Jemma Watts highlights the many exciting independent shops, cafes and restaurants in the creative city of Bristol, UK
Redefine retro with the Sasha Coffee Table. Its finely sculpted curves and medium oak finish bring a touch of Mid-Century charm to any space. This simply sensational coffee table seamlessly accents the color scheme of any room, making it a versatile addition to your home decor. The expert craftsmanship of the trestle base adds to its unique appeal, creating a visual masterpiece that is both stylish and functional. Whether you're enjoying a cup of coffee or displaying your favorite books and decor, the Sasha Coffee Table is sure to make a statement. Elevate your living space with this timeless piece that combines retro aesthetics with modern sensibilities.
By Greg Cayea If sleep takes up a third of our lives, cafés take up at least a sixth of […]
Place Dauphine is located on île de la cité just behind Notre Dame. It is one of the two tiny islands in the center of the city. Place Dauphine is small but adorable and one of my favorite places in Paris. It is easy to overlook when you are crossing the Seine but well worth […]
