Latest reviews for Cafes & Coffee Shops in Leicester Square, London, United Kingdom

Foyles Cafe - One of my favorites in London by tomaplaw

tomaplaw — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:00:14 +0000

Review by tomaplaw

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7437 5660

Foyles Jazz Cafe is the perfect place to take a classic novel and relax into your chair absorbing the atmosphere around you. I often go there to write, as they offer everything from tea and cafe to red wine and olives - all at a reasonable price.
The cafe does get busy between 5 - 7, so finding a chair can be tricky. They often have live bands come to play, which can actually be too noisy at times, but it's something you get used to. One thing that does annoy me, is the amount of red wine you get for 3 pounds - especially at the end of the day (mind you only one of the staff members does this, so stay clear of the skinny 30 - 40yo guy with black hair lol).Foyles Jazz Cafe is the perfect place to take a classic novel and relax into your chair absorbing the atmosphere around you. I often go there to write, as they offer everything from tea and cafe to red wine and olives - all at a reasonable price.
The cafe does get busy between 5 - 7, so finding a chair can be tricky. They often have live bands come to play, which can actually be too noisy at times, but it's something you get used to. One thing that does annoy me, is the amount of red wine you get for 3 pounds - especially at the end of the day (mind you only one of the staff members does this, so stay clear of the skinny 30 - 40yo guy with black hair lol).

Cafe Vergnano - Their Coffee Means Business by laissezfare

laissezfare — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:43:03 +0000

Review by laissezfare

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8922 6308

Tags: amazing brew, quick bite, london

[This is part of a larger review of London coffee houses which can be found here: http://wp.me/pwXBH-or]

Set along the shop-fronts on an unlikely stretch of Charing Cross Road (unlikely in the sense that you donâ¬"t expect a serious coffee house here amongst the touristy drek), it is none other than CaffÃ¨ Vergnano 1882. I have been in a number of times now and havenâ¬"t exactly gotten to the bottom of what the 1882 stands for (okay, I havenâ¬"t really tried to find out), but that is beside the point. The small chain has been set up by Luciano Franchi, whose family has been working for three generations in the London food industry. They apparently supply coffee and related machinery to the Italian Embassy, for whatever thatâ¬"s worth.

But the best thing about walking into CaffÃ¨ Vergnano is seeing their gargantuan silver madame, the holy grail of espresso fabrication, the elegant and maniacal stainless steel workhorse that pumps dark brown blood through its veins, the aortic arch from which the pulse of Vergananoâ¬"s espresso emanates. Yeah, itâ¬"s the big honkinâ¬" shiny espresso machine that you canâ¬"t miss from window. It is the Elektra Belle Epoque, and on its crown is perched a peering eagle.

To make a long story short, it makes a mean cup of espresso. Their own blend of espresso is composed of seven single-origin beans (including the elusive and expensive Nicaraguan Maragogype) and it is one of the nicer ones Iâ¬"ve had, certainly one of the top in London. It has a full and broad flavor spectrum and, to me, has a tad more bitterness beneath it than Monmouthâ¬"s, though without being cloying. My favorite incarnation of Vergnanoâ¬"s espresso is a double macchiato, with the little bit of foam providing a tiny cushion of creaminess to offset the fine espresso flavor.

The other thing I like about Vergnano is that it is sort of like an Italian espresso bar. You can order your drink and have it standing up at the counter â¬ or if you want you can sit down or walk out with it. With each coffee they also give you a little Italian biscuit or chocolate (I have never figured out if itâ¬"s the drink you order or the luck of the draw that determines which one you get), and I think itâ¬"s a great little touch. I would probably describe the service at the Charing Cross Road branch as â¬Üprofessionalâ¬". Itâ¬"s not warm, itâ¬"s not touchy, itâ¬"s not personal, but itâ¬"s not rude or mean either. They are just there doing their job and trying to provide you with a good drink.

The gist of it: I havenâ¬"t been to their other branches, but I think that this one is great. No-nonsense accomplished espresso drinks and the holy grail of coffee machines staring you in the face. Plus you get a little treat with your coffee and can stand at the bar.[This is part of a larger review of London coffee houses which can be found here: http://wp.me/pwXBH-or]

Set along the shop-fronts on an unlikely stretch of Charing Cross Road (unlikely in the sense that you donâ¬"t expect a serious coffee house here amongst the touristy drek), it is none other than CaffÃ¨ Vergnano 1882. I have been in a number of times now and havenâ¬"t exactly gotten to the bottom of what the 1882 stands for (okay, I havenâ¬"t really tried to find out), but that is beside the point. The small chain has been set up by Luciano Franchi, whose family has been working for three generations in the London food industry. They apparently supply coffee and related machinery to the Italian Embassy, for whatever thatâ¬"s worth.

But the best thing about walking into CaffÃ¨ Vergnano is seeing their gargantuan silver madame, the holy grail of espresso fabrication, the elegant and maniacal stainless steel workhorse that pumps dark brown blood through its veins, the aortic arch from which the pulse of Vergananoâ¬"s espresso emanates. Yeah, itâ¬"s the big honkinâ¬" shiny espresso machine that you canâ¬"t miss from window. It is the Elektra Belle Epoque, and on its crown is perched a peering eagle.

To make a long story short, it makes a mean cup of espresso. Their own blend of espresso is composed of seven single-origin beans (including the elusive and expensive Nicaraguan Maragogype) and it is one of the nicer ones Iâ¬"ve had, certainly one of the top in London. It has a full and broad flavor spectrum and, to me, has a tad more bitterness beneath it than Monmouthâ¬"s, though without being cloying. My favorite incarnation of Vergnanoâ¬"s espresso is a double macchiato, with the little bit of foam providing a tiny cushion of creaminess to offset the fine espresso flavor.

The other thing I like about Vergnano is that it is sort of like an Italian espresso bar. You can order your drink and have it standing up at the counter â¬ or if you want you can sit down or walk out with it. With each coffee they also give you a little Italian biscuit or chocolate (I have never figured out if itâ¬"s the drink you order or the luck of the draw that determines which one you get), and I think itâ¬"s a great little touch. I would probably describe the service at the Charing Cross Road branch as â¬Üprofessionalâ¬". Itâ¬"s not warm, itâ¬"s not touchy, itâ¬"s not personal, but itâ¬"s not rude or mean either. They are just there doing their job and trying to provide you with a good drink.

The gist of it: I havenâ¬"t been to their other branches, but I think that this one is great. No-nonsense accomplished espresso drinks and the holy grail of coffee machines staring you in the face. Plus you get a little treat with your coffee and can stand at the bar.

Neal's Yard Salad Bar - Hit and Miss by KMG

KMG — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:37:30 +0000

Review by KMG

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7836 3233

Website: http://www.nealsyardsaladbar.co.uk

Tags: quick bite, lively, expensive

Now I love Neal's Yard Salad Bar, and I go there more than any other vegetarian/vegan place because of its handy location, but it does tend to be a bit of a hit-and-miss affair.

Decor is wonderful: bright, eccentric and eclectic - and the restaurant fills almost all of Neal's Yard. Wonderful atmosphere.

My primary problem is the service. Sometimes you have to go and hunt down a waiter to get you a table. If you get a takeaway, they always frown at you and are very apathetic. One thing I cannot stand is bad customer service - lived in London all my life so I should be used to it - but there's no need to be rude.
Upon being seated a guy comes up to you and asks if you 'plan to eat'. (Strange, seeing as it's what they specialise in...) He then asks if you plan to use cash - they don't take cards which is really inconveient in an area where there are so many cash point queues! Sometimes orders are taken wrong and you don't get what you asked for. Some waiters are really lovely and are very welcoming to regulars- it's totally the luck of the draw.

It does a great range of vegan desserts, which are well priced - chcolate prestigio cake is a wonderfully moist chocolate/coconut vegan cake. (For quite a price you can order a personalised whole one for birthdays etc which they very kindly prepared for us) Ginger and berry tart is wonderfully balanced in taste - though often served hot and cold (too little time in the microwave I think). Mango truffle is another gorgeous vegan dessert.

Similarly starters are delicious - vegan bruschettas are gorgeous, fried kibe balls are yummy, and so is the spinach quiche. The vegan pizza is peculiar. Very sweetcorny, and uses too much vegan mayo for my taste. The base is always rock hard as well. Sometimes served hot, sometimes cold.

Mains and drinks are very very overpriced. Almost Â£4 for juice (though pineapple and mint is a must-try), even tea is more expensive than it should be. Milkshakes are nice, so nice they're almost worth the price. There isn't a lot of choice for mains. There are generally about two vegan choices, feijoada is nice but Â£11 (which I consider pricey), and meal of the day tends to be same-y - lot of veg and starchy food cooked into a slightly stodgy stew.
Sometimes they serve noodles, and a fruity curry which are so tasty - but this is once in a blue moon. Generally it's risotto or couscous, which are so similar I can't tell them apart. The salads for which they are famous tend to be really rather bland and expensive, and avoid pumpkin and pole.nta pie - to dry and stodgy to swallow without a lot to wash it down.

In my advice - go for a wide range of starters and sides - go for two rather than a main meal - it'll still be cheaper - and then enjoy the desserts. Alternatively, brave the stern-faced man behind the counter and get a takeaway and eat in the Yard itself - it'll feel the same as one of the tables outside.Now I love Neal's Yard Salad Bar, and I go there more than any other vegetarian/vegan place because of its handy location, but it does tend to be a bit of a hit-and-miss affair.

Decor is wonderful: bright, eccentric and eclectic - and the restaurant fills almost all of Neal's Yard. Wonderful atmosphere.

My primary problem is the service. Sometimes you have to go and hunt down a waiter to get you a table. If you get a takeaway, they always frown at you and are very apathetic. One thing I cannot stand is bad customer service - lived in London all my life so I should be used to it - but there's no need to be rude.
Upon being seated a guy comes up to you and asks if you 'plan to eat'. (Strange, seeing as it's what they specialise in...) He then asks if you plan to use cash - they don't take cards which is really inconveient in an area where there are so many cash point queues! Sometimes orders are taken wrong and you don't get what you asked for. Some waiters are really lovely and are very welcoming to regulars- it's totally the luck of the draw.

It does a great range of vegan desserts, which are well priced - chcolate prestigio cake is a wonderfully moist chocolate/coconut vegan cake. (For quite a price you can order a personalised whole one for birthdays etc which they very kindly prepared for us) Ginger and berry tart is wonderfully balanced in taste - though often served hot and cold (too little time in the microwave I think). Mango truffle is another gorgeous vegan dessert.

Similarly starters are delicious - vegan bruschettas are gorgeous, fried kibe balls are yummy, and so is the spinach quiche. The vegan pizza is peculiar. Very sweetcorny, and uses too much vegan mayo for my taste. The base is always rock hard as well. Sometimes served hot, sometimes cold.

Mains and drinks are very very overpriced. Almost Â£4 for juice (though pineapple and mint is a must-try), even tea is more expensive than it should be. Milkshakes are nice, so nice they're almost worth the price. There isn't a lot of choice for mains. There are generally about two vegan choices, feijoada is nice but Â£11 (which I consider pricey), and meal of the day tends to be same-y - lot of veg and starchy food cooked into a slightly stodgy stew.
Sometimes they serve noodles, and a fruity curry which are so tasty - but this is once in a blue moon. Generally it's risotto or couscous, which are so similar I can't tell them apart. The salads for which they are famous tend to be really rather bland and expensive, and avoid pumpkin and pole.nta pie - to dry and stodgy to swallow without a lot to wash it down.

In my advice - go for a wide range of starters and sides - go for two rather than a main meal - it'll still be cheaper - and then enjoy the desserts. Alternatively, brave the stern-faced man behind the counter and get a takeaway and eat in the Yard itself - it'll feel the same as one of the tables outside.

Pompidou - Serious communication problems! by eatoutalways

eatoutalways — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:03:07 +0000

Review by eatoutalways

Rating: 1.00

Tags: cosy, quick bite, good brew

I never thought you could go wrong with the plain old baguette served in patisseries but the Pompidou is a very misleading place. It all looks nice from the outside but when you go in and order is when it disappoints.

The young girl who served me could not speak a word of English and I mean not a WORD. When her colleague came over I hinted the best I could that I didn't want my cheese & salad baguette toasted. Well the bread may not have been but the cheese inside certainly was - hot and melted dripping everywhere! The bread was soggy with hot lettuce falling out but as it was disappointingly small I managed to at least eat it.

All I had with the soggy baguette was a tea and cake for afters - not much better but circled with by nice little cream dollops to make it look wholesome.

And the bill - just over 13 quid! Just HOW do they justify that?I never thought you could go wrong with the plain old baguette served in patisseries but the Pompidou is a very misleading place. It all looks nice from the outside but when you go in and order is when it disappoints.

The young girl who served me could not speak a word of English and I mean not a WORD. When her colleague came over I hinted the best I could that I didn't want my cheese & salad baguette toasted. Well the bread may not have been but the cheese inside certainly was - hot and melted dripping everywhere! The bread was soggy with hot lettuce falling out but as it was disappointingly small I managed to at least eat it.

All I had with the soggy baguette was a tea and cake for afters - not much better but circled with by nice little cream dollops to make it look wholesome.

And the bill - just over 13 quid! Just HOW do they justify that?

Rendez-Vous - Yummy ice cream by Dip

Dip — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:34:27 +0000

Review by Dip

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7925 1082

Tags: quick bite, lively, quiet & relaxed

I remember being there when Ms Smith was there, she was a very rude customer and i remember her being more annoyed at the price than at the food. If I remember correctly, all her friends finished their food, so it couldn't have been that bad. Anyway, I go there quite regularly as it is handy for work, during the week it can be a good place to get work done if you don't want to be hassled by staff and other customers. Some of their stuff is expensive, but it is central London. However, the quality of their ice cream and cakes can't be questioned as I have pretty much tasted all they have to offer and it can't be beaten. As for the staff being miserable, they are always joking with customers and the place has a better feel than the soulless chains everywhere.I remember being there when Ms Smith was there, she was a very rude customer and i remember her being more annoyed at the price than at the food. If I remember correctly, all her friends finished their food, so it couldn't have been that bad. Anyway, I go there quite regularly as it is handy for work, during the week it can be a good place to get work done if you don't want to be hassled by staff and other customers. Some of their stuff is expensive, but it is central London. However, the quality of their ice cream and cakes can't be questioned as I have pretty much tasted all they have to offer and it can't be beaten. As for the staff being miserable, they are always joking with customers and the place has a better feel than the soulless chains everywhere.

Sun Leun Cafe - more civilized than its sister by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:26:46 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 0251

Too fragile for the gruff treatment doled out at its sister shop then try this one just around the corner. The selection of cakes is sadly smaller, Less drafty, clean and welcoming. Still one of the cheapest & best cafes in Chinatown. Good place for a swift snack and a quick chat.Too fragile for the gruff treatment doled out at its sister shop then try this one just around the corner. The selection of cakes is sadly smaller, Less drafty, clean and welcoming. Still one of the cheapest & best cafes in Chinatown. Good place for a swift snack and a quick chat.

Sun Luen - cosmic cakes & cosmically offhand by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:18:02 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 0251

Staff here can be sneery and diffident not just to the gweilos but to everybody. Its as famous for bad tempered attitude of the old cougars that work there as it is for its cakes, especially the juicy, crunchy, round Melon cake made from melon soaked in rock sugar and covered with crumbly, flaky pastry. Other cakes that are particularly gnyummy are the large chocolate Swiss rolls, yellow bean slices. The yellow bean slices are only in season 6 months of the year - look for them if you are there ... they're fairly toothsome & wholesome. The place is always spotless. The formica covered tables at the back usually have a few local chinese looking a bit worse for wear hanging out. Ooolong Chinese Tea is seventy pence a cup. They just thwang a few leaves in and zap it with hot water. Cakes are well under a pound each - way cheaper than more high falutin cake-holes nearby, where they meet treat you with civility but you won't get that genuine taste of China.Staff here can be sneery and diffident not just to the gweilos but to everybody. Its as famous for bad tempered attitude of the old cougars that work there as it is for its cakes, especially the juicy, crunchy, round Melon cake made from melon soaked in rock sugar and covered with crumbly, flaky pastry. Other cakes that are particularly gnyummy are the large chocolate Swiss rolls, yellow bean slices. The yellow bean slices are only in season 6 months of the year - look for them if you are there ... they're fairly toothsome & wholesome. The place is always spotless. The formica covered tables at the back usually have a few local chinese looking a bit worse for wear hanging out. Ooolong Chinese Tea is seventy pence a cup. They just thwang a few leaves in and zap it with hot water. Cakes are well under a pound each - way cheaper than more high falutin cake-holes nearby, where they meet treat you with civility but you won't get that genuine taste of China.

Cafe Canova - by Troon

Troon — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:35:04 +0000

Review by Troon

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7930 9839

Very good prices - best I have found in London, good food, good portions friendly peopleVery good prices - best I have found in London, good food, good portions friendly people

Freud - Covent Garden Saving Grace by Niamheen

Niamheen — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:36:53 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 9933

Tags: cool, underground, relaxed

When I first moved to London a friend brought me to Freud's. I was really impressed and became quite a regular. It's a nice place, tucked away at the bottom of a precarious staircase on Shaftsbury Ave. It's in the basement, with nice exposed stone walls and art from up and coming artists on display.

Expect nice cocktails and wine, I especially like that they serve the wine in glass tumblers. The food is reasonable pub grub: soup, salads and sandwiches, always pretty decent. The downside is that it gets so busy it can be impossible to get a seat, not to mind a few of them together.When I first moved to London a friend brought me to Freud's. I was really impressed and became quite a regular. It's a nice place, tucked away at the bottom of a precarious staircase on Shaftsbury Ave. It's in the basement, with nice exposed stone walls and art from up and coming artists on display.

Expect nice cocktails and wine, I especially like that they serve the wine in glass tumblers. The food is reasonable pub grub: soup, salads and sandwiches, always pretty decent. The downside is that it gets so busy it can be impossible to get a seat, not to mind a few of them together.

Canteen - Friendly Fun old school Cafe by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:49:40 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 8364

Tags: quick bite, takeaway, good brew

Looking for somewhere cool, cheap, and open late that doesn't have the ambient din of Starbucks and all that goes with it. This is the place. They used to have an enormous basement but thats sadly vanished - even though thats gone this still has a peaceful local feel. Something unique for a place thats just off Charing Cross Road and smack in the middle of West End Theatre land. The folks who work here are fun - and recognize you after you've come back. They make a fuss, wisecrack and generally kick the can around. That counts for a lot in my book. That and the fact it stays open until 9 oclock during the week and 7 to 7:30 on Sundays.Looking for somewhere cool, cheap, and open late that doesn't have the ambient din of Starbucks and all that goes with it. This is the place. They used to have an enormous basement but thats sadly vanished - even though thats gone this still has a peaceful local feel. Something unique for a place thats just off Charing Cross Road and smack in the middle of West End Theatre land. The folks who work here are fun - and recognize you after you've come back. They make a fuss, wisecrack and generally kick the can around. That counts for a lot in my book. That and the fact it stays open until 9 oclock during the week and 7 to 7:30 on Sundays.

Cappuccetto Patisserie - cappuccetto it is.... by herb

herb — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:02:56 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 9472

Tags: italian, cultured, lively

great deal of passion for italian food and great service, they have been serving the people of soho for years, even my dad has said to have been there in his 22 birthday, well they have a large selection of pastas and the best pizza around, the secret of a perfect pizza is thin and crusty. just perfect ....great deal of passion for italian food and great service, they have been serving the people of soho for years, even my dad has said to have been there in his 22 birthday, well they have a large selection of pastas and the best pizza around, the secret of a perfect pizza is thin and crusty. just perfect ....

Canela - Aperitivo.. by lentament

lentament — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:09:35 +0000

Review by lentament

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 6926

Tags: cosy, brazilian, amazing brew

They have great range of wine, especially the Roses taste so fresh and wonderful. Food is great also but is not cheap for its portions. Great place for aperitivo or a morning coffee witha brazilian sweets.They have great range of wine, especially the Roses taste so fresh and wonderful. Food is great also but is not cheap for its portions. Great place for aperitivo or a morning coffee witha brazilian sweets.

Stanfords Book Shop - map mania by Alsation

Alsation — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:01:39 +0000

Review by Alsation

Rating: 5.00

Tags: relaxing, quiet, cafe

This amazing shop is guaranteed to stock the map you are after. Being a well-established specialist, it has a reputation for service and quality.
The people who work there and who manage it seem very good (although the company is now owned by a large US company, I am told). Staff on the shop floor are very helpful.

In the basement is one of the treasure troves that makes this place so useful - here they can print you any OS map at which ever scale you want and at what ever size you need. Brilliant service!

The selection of travel guides and books is enormous. I had not appreciated how many travel books have been written on so many different subjects!
I've not tried their cafe - can't pull myself away from the map shelves!
Finally, their mail order service is handy if you can't make it into central London yourself.This amazing shop is guaranteed to stock the map you are after. Being a well-established specialist, it has a reputation for service and quality.
The people who work there and who manage it seem very good (although the company is now owned by a large US company, I am told). Staff on the shop floor are very helpful.

In the basement is one of the treasure troves that makes this place so useful - here they can print you any OS map at which ever scale you want and at what ever size you need. Brilliant service!

The selection of travel guides and books is enormous. I had not appreciated how many travel books have been written on so many different subjects!
I've not tried their cafe - can't pull myself away from the map shelves!
Finally, their mail order service is handy if you can't make it into central London yourself.

Frank's Cafe - No longer! by bristle

bristle — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:37:58 +0000

Review by bristle

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 6345

Tags: cosy, lively, quick bite

Sadly, Frank's Cafe closed recently, after almost half a century of serving market porters, local residents, tourists, day-trippers, office workers and anyone in between.
Salvatore and Mena run a wonderful, traditional 'greasy spoon', but were eventually priced out of the market.
The rent on their modest cafe premises had risen to a ridiculous level and it was no longer realistic to work such long hours, keep everyone happy, pay the landlord, and make a living.
With Frank's going, Covent Garden has lost not only a nice, easy-going cafe, it has lost part of its history. When Neal Street was full of market warehouses and ancillary trades, Frank's was there. When it changed into a fashionable shopping street, Frank's was still there, doing what it had always done.
Unfortunately, Neal St has become a victim of its own success. Without Frank's it is just like any other over-priced Covent Garden retail street: soul-less.Sadly, Frank's Cafe closed recently, after almost half a century of serving market porters, local residents, tourists, day-trippers, office workers and anyone in between.
Salvatore and Mena run a wonderful, traditional 'greasy spoon', but were eventually priced out of the market.
The rent on their modest cafe premises had risen to a ridiculous level and it was no longer realistic to work such long hours, keep everyone happy, pay the landlord, and make a living.
With Frank's going, Covent Garden has lost not only a nice, easy-going cafe, it has lost part of its history. When Neal Street was full of market warehouses and ancillary trades, Frank's was there. When it changed into a fashionable shopping street, Frank's was still there, doing what it had always done.
Unfortunately, Neal St has become a victim of its own success. Without Frank's it is just like any other over-priced Covent Garden retail street: soul-less.

The Box Bar - Lively and energetic by chinbergs

chinbergs — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:03:48 +0000

Review by chinbergs

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 5828

Tags: lively, quick bite, crowded

I like the box bar. It's usually quite energetic and tends to be filled with the better looking guys. There are usually lots of gym goers here. The bar staff are pretty friendly and there's generally a buzz in this place.

During the day it's more like a coffee house, and serves salads and other lunch foods.

It doesn't get particularly busy during the week nights, but it can do on a Friday/Saturday evening. When it does start to get busy they take out all the tables from inside so there's more space for everyone to fit in. Quite often people will spill out onto the street area. They also dim the lights and turn up the house music a bit more to get everyone going.

There is usually a good crowd here and it's usually lively - definitely a good starting place to go before a night out at a club.I like the box bar. It's usually quite energetic and tends to be filled with the better looking guys. There are usually lots of gym goers here. The bar staff are pretty friendly and there's generally a buzz in this place.

During the day it's more like a coffee house, and serves salads and other lunch foods.

It doesn't get particularly busy during the week nights, but it can do on a Friday/Saturday evening. When it does start to get busy they take out all the tables from inside so there's more space for everyone to fit in. Quite often people will spill out onto the street area. They also dim the lights and turn up the house music a bit more to get everyone going.

There is usually a good crowd here and it's usually lively - definitely a good starting place to go before a night out at a club.

Epoca Expresso Bar - expresso expresso! by jlonners

jlonners — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:33:07 +0000

Review by jlonners

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7379 7299

Tags: coffee, amazing brew, illy

this is a long narrow proper coffee bar, ie you go in, get your coffee expresso style and drink and and get on your way, just like in italy! the expresso is proper italian and really strong so be warned, its not for the faint hearted. i like the expresso with steamed milk for a quick pick me up. this isn't the place to chill with a coffee and a book but more a fast moving place. it can get busy at lunchtime with people popping in so be prepared to queue. i wouldn't come in here for one of the snacks, they aren't the best!this is a long narrow proper coffee bar, ie you go in, get your coffee expresso style and drink and and get on your way, just like in italy! the expresso is proper italian and really strong so be warned, its not for the faint hearted. i like the expresso with steamed milk for a quick pick me up. this isn't the place to chill with a coffee and a book but more a fast moving place. it can get busy at lunchtime with people popping in so be prepared to queue. i wouldn't come in here for one of the snacks, they aren't the best!

Cafe Mode - by TheStickler

TheStickler — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:26:03 +0000

Review by TheStickler

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7240 8085

Tags: italian, covent garden, good food

This isn't fine dining or even a destination eatery and there's a limited menu but if you're nearby, hungry and don't want to spend too much, you can't go wrong here. That is if you fancy a pretty decent pizza or a good burger. The pasta is hit and miss in equal measure.
All wines available by the glass but best avoid the lowest end of the small choice offered.
The best thing is the owner, Mohamed.
If he knows yer face you'll get at least a free drink, starter, digestif, side or coffee. You just can't say no.
Very popular early evenings and lunch time but you can nearly always get a table.
This isn't fine dining or even a destination eatery and there's a limited menu but if you're nearby, hungry and don't want to spend too much, you can't go wrong here. That is if you fancy a pretty decent pizza or a good burger. The pasta is hit and miss in equal measure.
All wines available by the glass but best avoid the lowest end of the small choice offered.
The best thing is the owner, Mohamed.
If he knows yer face you'll get at least a free drink, starter, digestif, side or coffee. You just can't say no.
Very popular early evenings and lunch time but you can nearly always get a table.