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

Cafe Rive Gauche - Fay Maschler has only gone… by bellaphon

bellaphon — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:34:01 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7387 8232

â¬¦and told all the Observer readers about this gem of a place. Although this French run cafÃ© is a popular spot for workers in Fitzrovia grabbing a sandwich as a takeaway, you can also dine in and sample the delightful salads and platters from the menu. The delicious omelettes made from organic eggs make a perfect lunch and the pÃ¢tisseries are simply too irresistible to ignore.

Two negative issues with this place, a 12.5% service charge is added to dinersâ¬" bill (itâ¬"s only a cafÃ© FGS!) and Iâ¬"m also sorry that the French still canâ¬"t make a decent cup of tea.
â¬¦and told all the Observer readers about this gem of a place. Although this French run cafÃ© is a popular spot for workers in Fitzrovia grabbing a sandwich as a takeaway, you can also dine in and sample the delightful salads and platters from the menu. The delicious omelettes made from organic eggs make a perfect lunch and the pÃ¢tisseries are simply too irresistible to ignore.

Two negative issues with this place, a 12.5% service charge is added to dinersâ¬" bill (itâ¬"s only a cafÃ© FGS!) and Iâ¬"m also sorry that the French still canâ¬"t make a decent cup of tea.

Wellcome Collection Cafe - Disappointing. by spacekadet

spacekadet — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:18:33 +0000

Review by spacekadet

Rating: 1.00

Tags: quick bite, average brew, quiet & relaxed

Sad to report that this place has gone downhill since it first opened. Staff are clueless. Food is average, overpriced, and meager. Last Saturday, salads looked like they'd been sitting out for while. Not tempting at all. The hummus wrap was fine. But at 5.50, it should have been way more special. My friend's pie said it came with salad; he got maybe 5 leaves. Oh yeah, and it was only 12:30 and they were out of most host savories. Apparently the coffee is OK and the space itself is nice and open. It's a shame the food is such a waste of money.

Sad to report that this place has gone downhill since it first opened. Staff are clueless. Food is average, overpriced, and meager. Last Saturday, salads looked like they'd been sitting out for while. Not tempting at all. The hummus wrap was fine. But at 5.50, it should have been way more special. My friend's pie said it came with salad; he got maybe 5 leaves. Oh yeah, and it was only 12:30 and they were out of most host savories. Apparently the coffee is OK and the space itself is nice and open. It's a shame the food is such a waste of money.

Italiano Coffee Co - Cheap American-style pizza by CPaskell

CPaskell — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:22:36 +0000

Review by CPaskell

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7580 9688

Tags: italian, crowded, cheap eat

Somehow in Central London, some places are allowed to charge nearly Â£10 for a pizza, which is really just glorified cheese on toast. Pizzas in this little venue cost between Â£3-Â£4 depending on your choice of toppings and they are big too! They are cooked to order in front of you and your name shouted out incoherently when they are done. You can eat in or take away for the same price. The tables and chairs are metal and although there are some individual tables, most people perch on high tables with tall stools, sharing the eating space and the various flavoured oils and dried chillis dotted around. Not the most amazing pizza I have ever had (can be a bit greasy for my liking) but for a cheap and quick lunch, with fresh ingrediants, you can't go far wrong. The last time I was in a place like this was America - and we could really do with more of these venues here.Somehow in Central London, some places are allowed to charge nearly Â£10 for a pizza, which is really just glorified cheese on toast. Pizzas in this little venue cost between Â£3-Â£4 depending on your choice of toppings and they are big too! They are cooked to order in front of you and your name shouted out incoherently when they are done. You can eat in or take away for the same price. The tables and chairs are metal and although there are some individual tables, most people perch on high tables with tall stools, sharing the eating space and the various flavoured oils and dried chillis dotted around. Not the most amazing pizza I have ever had (can be a bit greasy for my liking) but for a cheap and quick lunch, with fresh ingrediants, you can't go far wrong. The last time I was in a place like this was America - and we could really do with more of these venues here.

H T Harris - The BEST Sandwich Shop in London... FACT by RichardGreen

RichardGreen — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:06:29 +0000

Review by RichardGreen

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7636 4228

Tags: mediterranean, rare finds, delicatessen

Welcome to a hidden gem in Central London, the shop does not look anything special from the outside and with cafe's and sandwich shops all down this street you may never find it - Don't be distracted, stay focused and find HT Harris.

The owner, an Italian maffioso legend from Sisley has been making panini's since his mamma taught him how.

The food is fresh, the service is raw and the eating experience is simply divine. I warn you, a sandwich will last you the whole day.. they just never seem to end.

Treat Yourself to a HT Harris Special - Spicy Sausage Welcome to a hidden gem in Central London, the shop does not look anything special from the outside and with cafe's and sandwich shops all down this street you may never find it - Don't be distracted, stay focused and find HT Harris.

The owner, an Italian maffioso legend from Sisley has been making panini's since his mamma taught him how.

The food is fresh, the service is raw and the eating experience is simply divine. I warn you, a sandwich will last you the whole day.. they just never seem to end.

Treat Yourself to a HT Harris Special - Spicy Sausage

Saffron - That's good grub! by greedoe

greedoe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:58:57 +0000

Review by greedoe

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7402 9992

Website: http://www.saffroncafe.com

Tags: lebanese, cosy, quick bite

This place comes rather recommended. The grub is traditional Lebanese and the atmosphere is cosy if not a tad cramped.

The mixed grill contained enough different meats from enough different species to be a manly enough feed.

The mixed meze is a nice dish too - you get 5 (small portions) different things off the menu for under Â£8. Have some falafel, hummus, chicken, rice and potatoes.

Good grub, good value and nicely filling. Can't wait to go back.This place comes rather recommended. The grub is traditional Lebanese and the atmosphere is cosy if not a tad cramped.

The mixed grill contained enough different meats from enough different species to be a manly enough feed.

The mixed meze is a nice dish too - you get 5 (small portions) different things off the menu for under Â£8. Have some falafel, hummus, chicken, rice and potatoes.

Good grub, good value and nicely filling. Can't wait to go back.

Blue River Cafe - Blue River Cafe by Nessa

Nessa — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 23:08:14 +0000

Review by Nessa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7278 2261

Tags: cosy, top food, good brew

This is the place for all those locally who have just got up after a night of some serious clubbinâ¬" . Their fry ups are hefty, and lets just say that they are not stingy with their portions. Good cafÃ© food, their fry upâ¬"s are intensely satisfying, and sometimes a good traditional twist is on their specials menu occasionally brings me to order take aways on top of what Iâ¬"ve had already. I had the most amazing falafel I have ever tasted in this very shop. Also, their garlic chicken is Delicious! Iâ¬"ve tried it myself but it never quite tastes the same lol. The service is lovely, gives off a comfortable unprofessional vibe, but they defo know what theyâ¬"re doing.
They are more than reasonably price, and I have never been unsatisfied with their service. My only complaint is that I find that theyâ¬"re sometimes to full for me to be seated. This is the place for all those locally who have just got up after a night of some serious clubbinâ¬" . Their fry ups are hefty, and lets just say that they are not stingy with their portions. Good cafÃ© food, their fry upâ¬"s are intensely satisfying, and sometimes a good traditional twist is on their specials menu occasionally brings me to order take aways on top of what Iâ¬"ve had already. I had the most amazing falafel I have ever tasted in this very shop. Also, their garlic chicken is Delicious! Iâ¬"ve tried it myself but it never quite tastes the same lol. The service is lovely, gives off a comfortable unprofessional vibe, but they defo know what theyâ¬"re doing.
They are more than reasonably price, and I have never been unsatisfied with their service. My only complaint is that I find that theyâ¬"re sometimes to full for me to be seated.

Italia Uno - Little Italy on Charlotte Stret by JehonaGjurgjeala

JehonaGjurgjeala — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:44:40 +0000

Review by JehonaGjurgjeala

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7637 5326

Tags: cosy, great food, lively

If you are a fan of italian football or fancy a hearty italian welcome with a sandwich to match - Italia Uno will not dissapoint. This small and friendly cafe has had the same owner since I have known about it (about 8 years now). Althought the cafe does not do any warm meals to order, it does some of the best breakfast and sandwiches in town. There is not much else to it really - just simple, excellent italian nosh.If you are a fan of italian football or fancy a hearty italian welcome with a sandwich to match - Italia Uno will not dissapoint. This small and friendly cafe has had the same owner since I have known about it (about 8 years now). Althought the cafe does not do any warm meals to order, it does some of the best breakfast and sandwiches in town. There is not much else to it really - just simple, excellent italian nosh.

Squat & Gobble - by steffdavies

steffdavies — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:23:16 +0000

Review by steffdavies

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7580 5338

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

Tags: international

An absolute gem. The soup and sandwich deal for Â£7.50 is fantastic though one may experience difficulty in moving thereafter. The steak dijon and "posh" fish finger sandwiches are particularly to be recommended.An absolute gem. The soup and sandwich deal for Â£7.50 is fantastic though one may experience difficulty in moving thereafter. The steak dijon and "posh" fish finger sandwiches are particularly to be recommended.

Costa - It's just a Costa, but I think I like it by LondonistMatt

LondonistMatt — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:44:55 +0000

Review by LondonistMatt

Rating: 3.00

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

Tags: cosy, good brew, quick bite

26-30 York Way? What, three whole buildings' worth of Costa? Well, it doesn't seem so big once through the doors. This place has the nice cozy feel of a community caff, rare in a chain.

They have a guest book. (Is this a Costa norm?) Someone hearts Rosa. Another person adores Luigi. A third customer was lost for words and simply left a coffee stain by way of feedback. At least I hope it was a coffee stain.

The branch is right in the middle of the 'Regents Quarter' - a major regeneration of derelict victorian warehousing and goods yards. Fans of loud drilling and buzz-saw duets will delight in the frequent aural intrusions from adjoining buildings. It's the closest experience I've yet had to dining on a construction site - one of my life's ambitions. (See also visiting my first Ikea, and getting the point of Bob Dylan.)

I had a mocha Flake, which I discovered is actually a mocha with two Flakes. Bad naming there.

OK, maybe on reflection it was a mocha with one Flake, but broken into two Flake moieites. I guess that's not so easy to fit on the menu board.

I also bought an egg sandwich (there's that streak of ambition shining through again). Which, in fact, was two egg sandwiches, and we enter the same argument about labelling as previously.

The cafe is not geared up for reading magazines printed on glossy paper. Bright overhead lights caused me all kinds of reflected inconvenience as I attempted to read an article on Cocknies in Time Out.

I didn't leave a message in the guest book. Instead, I left behind a book about graffiti. On purpose. I'm moving flat in a week or two and am trying to get rid of as many books as possible. It's quite thrilling, leaving things behind and sneaking away before a helpful neighbour tries to tell you you've left something. I just have to make sure I don't extend the habit to suitcases or fire extinguishers.

26-30 York Way? What, three whole buildings' worth of Costa? Well, it doesn't seem so big once through the doors. This place has the nice cozy feel of a community caff, rare in a chain.

They have a guest book. (Is this a Costa norm?) Someone hearts Rosa. Another person adores Luigi. A third customer was lost for words and simply left a coffee stain by way of feedback. At least I hope it was a coffee stain.

The branch is right in the middle of the 'Regents Quarter' - a major regeneration of derelict victorian warehousing and goods yards. Fans of loud drilling and buzz-saw duets will delight in the frequent aural intrusions from adjoining buildings. It's the closest experience I've yet had to dining on a construction site - one of my life's ambitions. (See also visiting my first Ikea, and getting the point of Bob Dylan.)

I had a mocha Flake, which I discovered is actually a mocha with two Flakes. Bad naming there.

OK, maybe on reflection it was a mocha with one Flake, but broken into two Flake moieites. I guess that's not so easy to fit on the menu board.

I also bought an egg sandwich (there's that streak of ambition shining through again). Which, in fact, was two egg sandwiches, and we enter the same argument about labelling as previously.

The cafe is not geared up for reading magazines printed on glossy paper. Bright overhead lights caused me all kinds of reflected inconvenience as I attempted to read an article on Cocknies in Time Out.

I didn't leave a message in the guest book. Instead, I left behind a book about graffiti. On purpose. I'm moving flat in a week or two and am trying to get rid of as many books as possible. It's quite thrilling, leaving things behind and sneaking away before a helpful neighbour tries to tell you you've left something. I just have to make sure I don't extend the habit to suitcases or fire extinguishers.

Tony's Natural Foods - by Angel_Bury

Angel_Bury — Tue, 22 May 2007 21:50:15 +0000

Review by Angel_Bury

Rating: 3.00

Tags: vegetarian, lunch, quick bite

I love the idea of this place, although the service and food can be rather hit amd miss. They're missing a trick with their opening hours, I'd certainly look in and pick up a box of salad for lunch en route to work if they were open at a decent hour in the AM. I'm quite endeared with the haphazardness of this place and I do leave feeling like I've got quite the righteous tummy albeit vaguel unsatified tummy...I love the idea of this place, although the service and food can be rather hit amd miss. They're missing a trick with their opening hours, I'd certainly look in and pick up a box of salad for lunch en route to work if they were open at a decent hour in the AM. I'm quite endeared with the haphazardness of this place and I do leave feeling like I've got quite the righteous tummy albeit vaguel unsatified tummy...

Matteos Sandwich Bar - by lou1982

lou1982 — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:57:11 +0000

Review by lou1982

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7436 1426

Tags: friendly, sandwiches, good value

Have lunch here about once a week! Price's are reasonable for West End - would recommend the Jacket Potato with Chilli, really yummy. Staff always welcome you with a smile as well which is nice.Have lunch here about once a week! Price's are reasonable for West End - would recommend the Jacket Potato with Chilli, really yummy. Staff always welcome you with a smile as well which is nice.

Bites - by NoAddedSugar

NoAddedSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:48:49 +0000

Review by NoAddedSugar

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7383 3484

Tags: friendly, jacket potato, sandwiches

A typical london cafe with the usual sandwiches etc. but they make a lovely jacket potato with your choice of filling and the two gentlemen who run the place are always friendly and happy to serve.A typical london cafe with the usual sandwiches etc. but they make a lovely jacket potato with your choice of filling and the two gentlemen who run the place are always friendly and happy to serve.