Lantana

neilgrayshon

10th October 2009

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When I first stumbled on this place a couple of months ago, I was happily in love and glad to recommend it to friends. Sadly the honeymoon period seems to be over. Despite impressive coffee, an inventive and well executed menu and a playful, elegant interior (surely these three reasons are enough in themselves to suggest I had found a great local), I won't be visiting Lantana again. I won't go into the details here for fear of sounding puerile or melodramatic, but I can summarise with the conclusion that this was the rudest and indeed worst service I have ever received in London. I was enraged to the point of leaving the cafe before placing an order and appalled to be entirely dismissed by noxious, disinterested sarcasm when returning to explain my disappointment later in the day. If you can tolerate being treated with utter contempt, you'll find good things. Otherwise, I recommend finding somewhere with a little more soul, humanity (in fact) and decent manners. A hot spot for hipster masochists.

sue

Please open a second branch in Richmond! 15th March 2009

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Finally made it to Lantana for a quick breakfast one Saturday, and instantly wished it was located closer to home so it could be my regular hangout.

It is just the sort of cafe I used to frequent back in Sydney, with its relaxed feel, familiar (and delicious) sounding meals and excellent coffee. And they sell friands, which should be deemed the 6th food group IMHO.

A serving of Corn Fritters with bacon, roasted tomato, rocket and lime aioli was delicious, and the Banana Bread with date & pecan butter was perfectly toasted and happily devoured. This is the type of food that makes me home sick. And the coffee was really good too, even the decaf pulled a punch.

bellaphon at 15/03/09

...or move to Fitzrovia! Great write up.

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bellaphon

Super Aussie 4th December 2008

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This year alone we’ve witnessed an unprecedented record of London restaurant openings and its inclusion of the diversity of cuisines has never been so prolific. This gregarious variety of choices includes London offshoots of 3 star chefs from the Continent, Spanish tapas, Mainland Chinese, Mexican and cafés of an Antipodean persuasion. However as expected most of these new openings may end up in tears, as there couldn’t be a worse time than trying to maintain the books during this challenging period.

Lantana, to save you the trouble is a flowering shrub that’s pretty much prevalent Down Under and it’s also conveniently the name of this wonderful new café in Fitzrovia that’s run by Aussies. Some places establish their reputation through word of mouth and consequently spread like wild fire, Lantana is deservedly one of them. Although a café, but it’s no ordinary one and it’s all too special to boot. Lantana ticks all the following right boxes for any new cafés to exist and survive successfully in London-

1. It’s devoid of any false pretensions.
2. No shortcuts undertaken.
3. Its ingredients are sensibly researched and sourced.
4. Its dishes are alternatively refreshing and delicious.
5. The prices don’t break the bank.
6. The knowledgeable staff is genuinely helpful and friendly.
7. And last but not least a mean cup of Flat White can be sought here.

I first came here for breakfast and was instantly convinced that Lantana was onto something good. A second visit was necessary to placate any doubts. Now who would’ve thought to declare lunch at a mere café was a resounding success. My Lamb kebab was beautifully seasoned and gorgeously tender. The accompanying ‘choose your own salad’ of coleslaw (inventive and thankfully not swamped with mayonnaise) and roasted veg (to include purple tatties was a nice twist) were good enough to sway most diehard carnivores. The companion enjoyed her Prosciutto, beetroot and veg tart; which she thought was all too much (begged to differ, but then again I’ve been known to gorge like a pig) but delicious nonetheless. We finished off the meal with a tiny but perfectly formed Australian fave of blueberry friand and a delectably moreish carrot cup cake from the Hummingbird Bakery. Lest I forget Lantana coin themselves as ‘coffee obsessives’, I think you owe yourself to try the superb coffee that’s been supplied by Monmouth Coffee Company. Lantana deserves success and praise, this place has that cheery soul effect about it and I don’t think it’s entirely difficult to be besotted by it. Repeat visits are most definitely on the cards.

No complains to report, except perhaps a minor one, I’m not prepared to believe that Vegemite (on near prominent display near the cash register) can out taste my beloved Marmite, methinks humbug to the former.

sue at 05/12/08

Oh - I have been craving friands! Lantana is now top of my to-do list : )

bellaphon at 05/12/08

Awaiting your review :)

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curlynewf

Noisy, but good food 24th November 2008

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I first found out about Lantana via the Blogosphere. In early spring of this year Australian proprietor Shelagh Ryan began blogging her journey of opening a café in London. Everything from securing the café's location to opening its doors was lovingly written up in regular bite-sized posts. Her food philosophy sounded simple and genuine: quality, carefully sourced food prepared and cooked with the discerning eater in mind. That was my interpretation anyway, and based on that I eagerly awaited the opening.

Fitzrovia is crawling with lunchers from nearby offices during the work week, but the area is not exactly untapped. With a Prêt a Manger and a Starbucks at one end of the alley, a very popular El Burrito across the way and countless other eateries around the corner on Charlotte Street, Lantana already had some stiff competition if they wanted to fill some of those bellies. Topped off with the fact that it's a pretty sleepy part of town on Saturdays, I was curious how Lantana would fare.

We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon for breakfast to see. Unfortunately the noise is what we noticed first. Nina Simone bellowed from the speakers while one of the staff repeatedly catapulted silverware into a metal tin as she finished polishing it. Throughout our meal we were serenaded by the intense and sudden whack of coffee portafilters. Trust me, you don't want to show up with a hangover.

Depite the noise, though, the space itself was bright and airy with a skylight at the back. And even when full (which it was) it doesn't feel claustrophobic. Seating was ample given the space available and I particularly liked the little fold-up table at the back - great use of space.

The food was the best part. Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on sour bread toast with a yellow and red tomato salad was lovely - eggs perfectly cooked and salad full of flavour. My companion had the baked eggs on spinach and mushrooms, also very tasty. The ingredients were fresh, and obvious care was given to the presentation and flavouring of both dishes.

If they'd just lower the volume a little this place would be pretty perfect. I plan to go back to see what they have for lunch during the week sometime.

Niamheen at 24/11/08

Shame it was so noisy! This is the second time that I've heard this. The food does sound good though.

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