Posted by Katrin on March 31st, 2007 — Posted in Cafés, Food supply
Bliss!
Finally the good life is back again. I have missed so much the ordinary pleasures which simply require time to sit back and relax.
This morning we went to the Borough Market - quite a usual thing to do on a Saturday morning by now - to have breakfast at the Monmouth Coffee Company Café. For long I have bought my coffee there first thing before strolling over the market and admiring the food on display. Actually there are different Monmouth stalls around, so it took me some time to come across the bigger Café at the street corner. Easily recognizable though, when you see a long line of people wrapping around the building, you can be sure that it will lead you to the right place. The lovely scent of freshly ground and brewed coffee will ease the pain of waiting…
The special thing about this place is the large wooden communal table. It has fresh baguette, jam and butter in the middle, people squeezing themselves around it so no space will be lost, chatting away and enjoying this simple but wonderful breakfast. When you order your coffee you can purchase a plate as well, find yourself a seat and eat as much as you like. At £ 2,50 this must be the cheapest breakfast in all of London, yet providing the highest quality. I love their marmelade, but the plum jam is a close runner up!
The first time we tried it we immidiately got two seats at the end of the table and by now I realize how lucky we were! It is always absolutely packed with people and to sit down after 10.30 am becomes an almost impossible task. You might have to settle for one of the standing spots at the back of the wall - not the worst thing in the world. In any case, the lively atmosphere is exactly right to start of a shopping spree at the market.
And before you leave you might want to grab one of their pastries for later…
Monmouth Coffee Company
2 Park Street
Borough
London SE1 9AB
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Posted by Katrin on November 3rd, 2006 — Posted in Food supply
Just yesterday I made a wonderful discovery! There is a Farmers Market on the Lyric Square in Hammersmith which offers a superp selection of food from all parts of the world.
Well, actually I have been to the market before as it is a good place to stock up on bread (Really good bread! Fresh loafs with a thick crust but moist and tender on the inside. And don’t get me started on the Brownies and Banana Cake…). However this was the first time I actually used it to grab something for lunch, along with most of the working population in that area.
Even though there are so many things that look delicious I opted for a Rainforest Box, which was filled with a variety of salads (you can choose which ones you like), all ingredients are uncooked and unsalted. If you ask me there could have been a little salt in there which I think brings out the flavours just that little bit more, but still it was absolutely delicious! Just standing in front of the stall and looking at all these amazing colours made me happy. Get this if you’re after a healthy lunch! And surprisingly it’s satisfying and filling too!
But then again you could get a pita bread filled with marinated and grilled squid. I can honestly say that I have never seen anyone prepare a sandwich with as much care and love as this guy there. You see it already when you have a closer look at the stall: everything is neatly stacked and there are even little decoration items here and there. Needless to say that the sandwich tasted great too.
Farmers Market
Hammersmith Lyric Square
Thursdays 10 - 3 pm
London
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Posted by Katrin on October 23rd, 2006 — Posted in Food supply
After trying the real thing, dropping hints about a certain Spanish supermarket in Notting Hill, revisiting the store and putting on my most lovely smile, I got lucky:
Note: Having a man in the house who can cook does come in handy!
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Posted by Katrin on October 18th, 2006 — Posted in Restaurants, Food supply
Showing my friend around in Notting Hill and exploring the Portobello Road Market, we suddenly ran into a little place I had meant to look for but had forgotten about it. A few weeks ago I had read a short article about a Spanish Tapas Bar and small deli supermarket in Notting Hill: Café García. It seemed like a very cosy place and the second I saw it I knew that this is the place to go when you are craving Spanish food!
I have to admit that I spent most of my attention on the supermarket. I love products from other countries and I have this thing about supermarkets in general…It takes me forever to go grocery shopping.
According to the short article (which I believe is from Time Out although I am not 100% sure as I cut it out) the Café is very good and “draws an authentically Hispanic crowd to eat its wonderful albóndigas, tortillas, salads, pies, cakes and pastries”. I will make sure to try it soon and let you know all about it.
As for the supermarket it is truly wonderful! Small but full of original products and fresh tapas to take home. Try the marrinated Manchego Cheese! You can even buy the typical terracotta-coloured tapas bowls and other accessories along with a good assortment of Spanish Wines (I love a good Rioja) and olive oils.
Café García
246 Portobello Road
W11
020 7221 6119
Ladbroke Grove tube
Open:
Mon - Thur 8am-7pm
Fr, Sat 8am-11pm
Sun 10am-7pm
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Posted by Katrin on October 8th, 2006 — Posted in Food supply
There hardly can be anything better to do on a Saturday morning than going shopping on the Borough Market, having coffee and breakfast along the way. Although for me it’s not exactly around the corner it certainly is worth the travel!
It is such a wonderful place with undoubtedly some of the best fresh food in the city and I cannot have enough of all this variety, the smells and tastes. You won’t be able to resist, I never left this place empty handed. Come as early as you can bear on a Saturday morning as it gets tremendously crowded. But if you don’t mind to walk slowly along the stalls it’s ok - just wanted to warn you.
I like to grab a coffee first, then making up my mind what I need to buy and most importantly what I want for breakfast! I have tried something different every time and haven’t found my all-time favourite yet. However the chorizo-sandwich is absolutely amazing! It comes in a toasted bread roll drizzled with olive oil and is served with rocket and roasted pepper. If you want to try one bring some time and patience as the waiting line usually is very long.
You can also find the world’s best Brownies there! I can’t begin to tell you how absolutely great they are. I made everybody whom I took to the market try them and they all loved it. As the market has been rearranged I am now not entirely sure where they are located but you can recognize them easily as they are stacked on a very high pile
If you are up to more healthy things have a look at the Cranberry Stall, where they sell a wide variety of dried fruits and nuts. I always buy some of the small figs and try to keep them at hand if I need a healthy sugar rush.
And last but not least: bread!
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street
London SE1 1TL
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Opening Times:
Thursday - 11am to 8pm (limited stalls only)
Friday - 12 noon to 6 pm
Saturday - 9am to 4 pm
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