Villiers Coffee Company & Dining Room...

I've constantly got one ear to the ground when it comes to new restaurants and bars opening in London. Not that I'm bored with our current vast selection, (how could I be?!) but my favourite hobby is eating and drinking with friends and there's nothing better than finding a new gem to explore together.

A friend told me a few months back that the family behind Gordon's Wine Bar were opening a new restaurant offering all day relaxed food and coffee. Being a huge fan of Gordon's, it immediately made it onto my iPhone to do list!

The perfect opportunity arose for a daytime catch up with a great friend requiring some tasty lunch, a good wine list and a location somewhere between Parsons Green and Bethnal Green!

Villiers Coffee Company and Dining Room ticked all the boxes!

It's literally two doors up from Gordon's so a quick trot from Embankment and Charing Cross - easy peasy! 

Now I'm not going to lie, Villier's is pretty compact in every sense of the word...if you're after somewhere for a top secret meeting, this isn't for you! However if you want somewhere relaxed with a buzzy atmosphere then read on!

The decor is simple - chunky wooden tables, white walls, blackboards, exposed bulbs and Hendricks bottles for candle holders - simple and cute. It doesn't feel quite finished with room for them to grow into their space and build some more character, having said that I loved the laid back and cosy vibe never claiming to be something it's not.

We only sampled a couple of dishes, getting distracted by drinking too much wine, but what we did pick was pretty delicious! Naughty, I know, but we were so famished when our lamb koftas and chicken and charred corn arrived I totally forgot to take pictures...but worry not I managed to get one of our scrumptious desert...chocolate fondant, honeycomb and salted caramel ice cream...delish! 

All in all, a great little relaxed spot to pop in on if you're in the area for a strong coffee or small plates and wine, they don't have a website but I've read in reviews that they also do breakfast with simple but delicious dishes - like fried egg, corn bread and guacamole, mmmm, this I need to try! 

However for me, Gordon's still wins...if you haven't been, where the hell are you hiding, you're seriously missing out!!

Villiers Coffee & Dining Room

31a Villiers Street

London

WC2N 6ND

+44 (0)20 7925 2100

Cream Of The Coffee: Ozone

We've officially found our new favourite place, the perfect canvas for a lazy Sunday flicking through the papers (who am I kidding Style and Stella magazine is more like it) whilst polishing off plate lickingly good brunch and all washed down by the best cup of coffee London has to offer. If that sounds right up your street, then pay Ozone a visit immediately! 



Ozone is famous for it's coffee, they roast their own beans on the premises, act as providers to businesses in the UK and Europe and provide training and equipment to start up ventures. The Ozone Coffee Roastery originated in New Zealand around ten years ago by a couple with the vision to make a difference after visiting remote villages in El Salvador with their main income relying on coffee plantations. Although one of the founder sadly passed away in 2008, the  heart of the business he built lives on, with the drive to offer quality without compromise whilst creating income for the families and growers at origin. 

It not only has a lovely story behind it but really does come up with the goods. We ordered two skinny cappuccinos which I devoured in less than a minute...I can't explain why it was so good but it defiantly didn't taste skinny and the coffee flavour was intense, smooth and rich but not too much so. If this was on my work route I would be in that queue every morning without fail! 

The decor has been executed beautifully - high ceilings, exposed brickwork, hanging light bulbs, hand painted signs, huge windows and an impressive wrap around coffee station overlooking the baristas and chefs. 

 

 

 

 

 

The shabby chic design makes you feel right at home and like you could quite comfortably spend a day chatting and sipping away! The large dining area is situated on the ground floor overlooking the basement which is authentically full of all the coffee bean roasting equipment. The key to great coffee is freshness and Ozone can guarantee this in abundance - it all happens right here on site...

The attention to detail made me fall a little bit more in love - the cute jam jars of flowers, labels on the sugar pot and teeny tiny pegs on the bill...I'm a sucker for such things! 

And lastly the food...that never comes last on my list but there is too many great things to cover when it comes to Ozone! We ventured down on a late Sunday morning...

 

After a cup of their heavenly coffee we greedily gobbled down some much needed grub!

 

Eggs benedict...

And french toast with rhubarb and creme fraiche...

We didn't have room but the pastries looked pretty scrum too...

They have a combination of 'Lunchy Things' and then a separate section dedicated to eggs which is served all day...my kind of place! We were perched at the coffee bar overlooking the chefs at work and after seeing some of the other culinary creations leaving the kitchen I'm getting my next booking in quick smart! 

Fear not, if Shoreditch is too far for you to venture, they supply many other businesses in London - so you can all sample the amazingness for yourself. See their website here to scout out where's close by and become hooked just like us! 

And remember...

Williamsburg Wandering

It’s official - I'm head over heels in love with New York. When I say love we’re talking real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love! *Carrie Bradshaw quote alert!

I love London with all my heart, but New York just has that extra special something that I can't quite explain. It mirrors London in terms of the serious shopping scene, wow skylines and crazy busy go go go streets, but somehow it's just better! With it being my first visit I was beyond excited! I couldn't wait to jump into my first yellow cab, shout 28th and Broadway with the confidence of Carrie Bradshaw and order a stack of pancakes weighed down by ample maple syrup and a strong quaffee… (don't worry I didn't actually say the quaffee part to anyone out loud)! It was the most perfect sister city getaway, spending three amazing days sipping cocktails and champagne, consuming delicious (albeit seriously calorie-laden) meals, shopping till we dropped (even in the snow - that's dedication), sightseeing whenever possible and all with barely any beauty sleeping!

So what was my favourite part? Well it had to be exploring the streets of Williamsburg on a snowy, sunny Sunday. A friend had mentioned that she thought we'd love Bedford Avenue, so after a delicious NoMad brekkie we jumped on the subway with just a map and a credit card each weighing us down! (I lie, we also had google maps for back up - thank God!)

Some may prefer the glossy streets of 5th avenue, browsing the gleaming shelves of Saks and Bergdorf Goodman, however with Shoreditch and Spitalfields just a stone’s throw from home in London, I couldn't have been happier in Williamsburg! As a New York newbie, I would say it's definitely the Shoreditch of NYC - cool, quirky, a bit scruffy and graffiti-clad around the edges but if you scratch the surface, you’ll find it’s bursting full of gems!

First off we took a little stroll down 9th Avenue which led us right up to the Williamsburg waterfront which boasts the most fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline - a pretty peaceful and picturesque way to enjoy the city from a distance…

After a 3BM water edge photo-shoot session we went on the hunt for the renowned and much-hyped Brooklyn Flea Market. Along the way we happened to stumble upon Artists & Fleas - a designer and vintage market that runs every weekend at 70N 7th Street. Artists & Fleas is housed in a small industrial space chock-a-block of vintage stalls selling everything from jewellery, sunglasses, furs to screen prints. Be warned, it’s very easy to spend hours here browsing and casually purchasing - it isn't hugely expensive but I can totally imagine the bill totting up if you don’t keep track as there’s so much to love and conveniently most stalls seem to take credit card! 

Middle Mouse managed to somehow escape without spending a penny but HK Mouse and I got stuck in. I bagged myself a vintage fur which I whipped on as soon as I left the flea to protect myself from the NYC snow! HK Mouse snapped up a super cool alternative NYC screen print by Kevin Marcell. Kevin is a Brooklynite artist who presents his vision of New York through the combination of graffiti, photography and mural painting. His artistic creations are then projected onto a canvas backdrop made up of New York City subway and cycling maps which he dubs ‘Re-Cycling Maps’ - nifty huh?! Each piece created is completely bespoke and handmade by Kevin himself. Check out his work here.

After our impromptu detour we eventually located the Brooklyn Flea just around the corner at 70 Kent Avenue. A similar concept to Artists & Flea but much bigger in size and also boasting a pretty impressive food stall section. In true 3BM style we of course had to trial a few of the stalls offering up tasters… I tried a slither of pecan pie which was to die for – the girls had to literally drag me away before I snatched the whole damn pie! If you’re a vintage (clothes and home) lover, then this is a definite must to add to your Williamsburg hit list, and if you’re not so bothered on the retro front, I guarantee the salted caramel doughnut stand is enough of a pull alone!

Next on the hit list was Catbird. We're massive fans of the brand’s dainty midi and stacking rings so we already had the shop's address firmly ingrained in our minds - 219 Bedford Avenue. Now be prepared to drop some serious cash here – the shop is filled floor to ceiling with amazing candles, stunning jewellery, beauty products sent from heaven, quirky cards, beautifully designed matchboxes, sweet drinks tiles - you name it, they have it! A stylish nik nak shop where you can't resist but pick every item up and coo over how charming it is. This is naturally swiftly followed by a few sneaky, impulsive purchases!

One of our favourite touches was a takeaway hand-out at the till featuring a list of recommended 'Staff Favourites' - AKA the perfect afternoon itinerary for 3BM! So we spent the rest of the day exploring all of the other amazing boutiques and hidden gems in and around the streets off Bedford Avenue.

With Catbird done and dusted off we raced to the next - In God We Trust. A cute little shop inspired by everyday life selling both men’s and women’s clothing, jewellery and interior bits and bobs all laced with a smidgen of dark humour and naughtiness for good measure! Middle Mouse treated herself to a Blah Blah Blah sweet nothing necklace for a snip at just $40. Brass, hand engraved and super wearable. Some of the other sweet nothing necklaces were not as ‘sweet’ as you might imagine – check them out here! Other favs include ‘hot mess’ and ‘sweet tits’ – ha!!!

The queue snaking around the block outside Blue Bottle coffee shop was endorsement enough to check this joint out! Middle Mouse had spied a write up on Blue Bottle in Grazia on the plane over and had made note to pay it a little visit. Let me set the scene – this coffee is no ordinary coffee, it’s drip coffee made Japanese style where each bean is individually ground and filtered with the help of a ‘swan neck’ kettle, whatever that it!!! All the gear and no idea is not a saying that Blue Bottle is known for instead they’re famous for making coffee worth the show and hassle! Good enough for me… 

And ones we didn't make it to but wish we had include...

The Meatball Shop, apparently does meatballs to die for - 170 Bedford Street
Bakeri, for delish pastries, cake and naughtiness - 150 Wythe Avenue
Hotel Delmano, a gorgeous, cosy cocktail haunt - 83 Berry Street
Primp N Polish, for super cool nail art - 172 Bedford Avenue 

A final stop and perfect to get the appetite going - Mast Brothers. Middle mouse had also read up on this little gem a few weeks before jetting off and had her heart set on paying it a visit. If you have any trouble locating it just get to the rough area (111 N 3rd St) and let your nose lead the way! No word of a lie, you can actually smell the incredible chocolate aroma wafting through the streets of Williamsburg about a mile off! 

As soon as you walk through the doors you walk straight into a shop slash factory - it's simply amazing to see everyone in the background making the chocolate from start to finish. I was watching one woman folding each bar up in the thick printed paper, sealing them with a sticker and stacking them ready to go out on the chunky wooden display table! 

The chocolate itself is divine - rich, intense and incredibly moreish. They use only cacao pods and cane sugar, very impressive when you see what goes into other branded bars! You can either opt for a number of different plain chocolates or one of the delicious sounding flavours - from trusty sea salt to black truffle! We decided to get the sea salted caramels and WOW... I would fly back just so I could get another one of those in my life (not that I need any reason to go back!)

Feet aching and tummies rumbling, we decided it was time to refuel! A good friend and fellow guest mouse, Lucinda had pre-recommended Aurora, a cute little leafy Italian on Grand Street so off we skipped to try our luck bagging a lunchtime reservation. As we walked in three empty stools materialised at the bar, the perfect spot for people watching, mimosa sipping, much needed lunch and endless chatter! Keep your eyes peeled for our NYC food lowdown post which will be winging it's way to the blog soon!!

All in all, one perfect day and my dream NYC neighbourhood for my new and improved life... now to find a job, visa and flatmate...any offers?!

Caffeine Fix: Nespresso Love

We're pleased to report that Mouse Towers, Hong Kong has finally woken up and smelt the Nespresso and is now decked out with it's very own stainless steel Pixie!

The London Mice were well ahead on this one, having picked up their Nespresso machine earlier this year. I was slightly sceptical that a good cup of coffee could be so easy to come by. No grinding beans, no drawn-out brewing, no mess, no fuss - surely it was all too good to be true? Well no actually. Having had my brand new Nespresso baby for a couple of weeks now, I'm just sorry I spent so long fiddling about with Cafetières and drinking sub-standard coffee that costs £4 a cup... Now all I have to do is pick out a capsule, pop it into my Nespresso machine, flick a switch and decide whether I'm opting for a quick, strong hit of Espresso or a more leisurely lungo.

The only downside for me is that as a very indecisive girl, the array of capsules to choose between, particularly first thing in the morning, can be a little overwhelming. I'm slowly narrowing it down to a few favs - the green Fortissio is a definite contender for top of the pods and the Linizio Lungo, Middle Mouse's pick, is also right up there. 

But it seems that I jumped on the bandwagon at just the right moment because last week Nespresso added three new capsules to their coffee collection. Previously released as limited edition capsules, the Vanillo, Ciocattino and Caramelito capsules are back by popular demand and are happily here to stay this time! I popped down to the Nespresso boutique in IFC this week to try them out and it was love at first sip! Drink them straight for a fragrant coffee with a hint of vanilla, caramel or dark chocolate or add cream and sugar for a much richer, fuller flavour. I'm head over heels for the Vanillo (I've already had one fix this morning and my second is imminent...).

So, coffee machine sorted.

Most delicious capsules identified.

All that remains is to bag myself some pretty china to sip my caffeine from in the mornings. I'm thinking something bright, zingy and guaranteed to brighten up even the murkiest morning. What better then, than a little pop of Missoni? I happened to stumble across these Missoni for Target mugs and espresso cups while browsing for books on Amazon. They may well be so several seasons ago (Target were selling these way back in 2011), but those Missoni stripes never go out of style and at these prices, how can you say no?!

Missoni for Target Mugs
From US$29.95

Missoni for Target 16 Piece Espresso Set
US$129.99

Images via: www.amazon.com