I've been trying to find a local place that does late night food, other than kebab shops. Haven't had much luck. There must be someone who'll deliver after midnight. Hell, some nights I would be willing to go pick it myself, just so I can get out of doing the cooking.
Any ideas?
Also, why do all the coffee shops shut so early? As a Yank, I'm used to being able to get a decent cup of coffee at 11pm. My day doesn't usually start until the early afternoon, so a 6 o'clock closing time is incredibly inconvenient.
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And at risk of opening a can of worms, where can you get a decent cup of coffee <i>anywhere</i> in Stroud Green, <i>any time</i>?
It's getting more and more popular, especially with the teachers from the college next door. When it first opened, there would be 2-3 hours in the afternoon when I would be the only person there. Now it's always packed and loud. I might have to find me a new "office".
There aren't many places that do good coffee in London. Monmouth do a nice espresso. I quite like the coffee at the Nordic Bakery, too. Sadly, Good for Food is as good as it gets in N4. I just wish that they were open a bit later.
Oh, and if anyone manages to find a good bagel place in London, I'd be most grateful. The English seem to think that a bagel is round bread.
I can hardly bring my own coffee to a coffee shop, can I? Even if they do serve undrinkable brown water.
Please explain barm cake though.
Will try Poxy's recommendation. Thanks Poxy.
I think the Front Room not only does piss poor coffee, but is pretty crap all round. The owner's always swanning around doing business front of house and is really loud. In fact all staff could be a bit more discreet.
It's a shame that the guy with one arm has left Good for Food. His coffee was to die for! I agree, Monmouth rocks, but how about Bar Italia, and Flat White, both in Soho. Talking about flat whites, the older Asian guy in Muffin Break at (ahem) "N19" ie the caff at the Whittington does a mean one. The place in Crouch End, Le Pain d'Or does good coffee. Their branch in Muswell Hill does even better. Round it off with a mean raspberry brioche...mmmm.
If you're ever in New York, try Ess-a-Bagel. Your life will never be the same. Their coffee is terrible, though.
And as far as tea goes, I could always go for a cup or two. But it must be good loose tea. Nothing that comes in a bag. Otherwise, why bother. Might as well drink hot water.
The perfect bagel. Fantastic coffee. A nice cup of earl grey. These are the things that make life better.
Having said all that, I've just eaten couscous from a packet. Some days laziness wins over food snobbery.
Good for Food put up their prices a few months back. It's still pretty reasonable, but I can no longer afford to eat there daily. (Well, quitting my job didn't help.)
I haven't tried Muffin Break or Le Pain d'Or. Someone recommended the latter to me yesterday. I shall have to go and explore. Flat White is good if you want a white coffee, but I drink mine black. Their coffee isn't that fantastic on its own.
I went to the Scandinavian place on Gt Titchfield Street the other day. They use Monmouth coffee for their espressos and something else for their filters. Both are excellent. It's a good place to do work, too, as they're pretty quiet after 3pm.
They make/sell a mean pastel de nata (portuguese custard pie) there though.
As for perfect bagels, I think Brick Lane is your answer.
Good quietish places for freelancers to work (from my list) include the British Library, RIBA on Gt Portland St, the Breakfast Club in Soho, the ICA, pick more daisies in Crouch End, Bar Camino in Kings Cross (free wifi and v quiet in the day).
That said, the Dairy and the Noble aren't bad either.
I know it's a cliche, but my baby's head is enormous (she's in the 98th centile for head circumference - I think she gets it off her Uncle), and I can't help thinking this is a classic case of monster American portions.
Ours too can be a meal in themselves (especially with some chips).