COFFEE IN THE CITY
Guest post by Hong-Konger, coffee addict and food and drink journalist Charmaine Mok
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.” - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, by T.S Eliot.
Ah, the line that inspired the name of one of my favourite coffee spots in the world, Prufrock in London, England. Replace the word ‘life’ with 'holidays’ and there you have a pretty concise description of the way I travel these days. Along with the obligatory planning of must-visit restaurants, bars, and cultural points of interest, there now resides a little section in my itinerary that I reserve for the consumption of quality coffee (and often cakes).
It all started in London, where I learned the ropes of basic barista-ing during university, triggering a slight obsession for coffee; a few years later, London found itself in the middle of an all-out coffee revolution – the Aussies and Kiwis were bringing their brand of awesome coffee-making to the city, and there quickly bloomed a succession of fantastic 'third wave’ coffee shops who paid attention not only to the way they pulled their shots or drew pretty latte art, but the provenance of their beans and how to make the best cup of coffee whether it was an Aeropress, siphon or Chemex in their arsenal. London’s coffee scene is one of the best in the world at the moment, in my humble opinion, though every city has its highlights.
LONDON
The best coffee bars here have got to be the aforementioned Prufrock, where coffee geekery is taken to the next level. I also love The Espresso Room, Tapped & Packed, Birdhouse, Workshop Coffee Company and newcomer Salvation Jane.
PARIS
Coutume Cafe opened in 2010, finally bringing serious coffee to the Paris city centre. To date, theirs is still one of the best ice drip coffees I’ve ever had.
PERTH
This sleepy town in Western Australia is up there with the rest of Australia in terms of quality coffee. Zekka Café impressed with their excellent flat whites, incredible space and impossibly nice baristas.
MELBOURNE
Proud Mary, home of one of the best ice drip coffees I’ve ever had, and epic brunches.
A close second would be Dead Man Espresso in South Melbourne, where a delicate, buttery biscuity espresso blend from Aussie roasters Seven Seeds made my day.
SYDNEY
Reuben Hills - hip to the max but with a real spine of substance. Their espresso of the day is always worth trying.
SEOUL
Five Extracts Coffee - home to a 2010 Korea Barista Champion, they’ve got excellent roasts and a signature coffee worth trying: tart orange syrup, espresso and tangy cream.
HONG KONG
Rabbithole Coffee & Roasters opened earlier this year, and is now my favourite spot for ice drip coffees and good conversation.
And so wherever I travel, I seek a good cup of coffee. A network of brilliant baristas and coffee geeks, armed with their caffeine knowledge, makes this easier, and hopefully my small but growing collection will be of use for other caffeine fiends too.
PS. I know Italy is conspicuously absent from this list. I blame it on all the gelato I had instead.
You can find Charmaine’s entire coffee collection here.
ESCAPE LONDON FOR A WEEKEND
A countryside break in Southwest England - The New Forest
Guest post by Hannah Maxwell, travel passionista and writer
I love London, it’s exciting, vibrant, challenging and all consuming. However, to appreciate all its facets and personalities sometimes a weekend escape allows time to breathe and gain a new perspective on it all. Nothing is easier or better for this than the great British countryside.
The New Forest is like entering the days of Robin Hood, wild ponies roam the mass of forest and wide expanses of moors come complete with purple heather and yellow gorse. Its a complete escape that takes me from heels to wellies and ensures me returning to London with rosy cheeks and fresh air in my lungs. It’s an easy area to get to either a couple of hours drive down the M3 or the train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst (1 hour 32 minutes) or the National Express coach from Victoria to Ringwood.
The new ‘country-set’ is a world away from the stuffy image of yesteryear. The Pig epitomises this casual country cool with deep overstuffed sofas in front of roaring fires and terraces with an outdoor oven for home baked flat bread in the summer months. I love the feeling of being in a wealthy friends country house…special food and surroundings but cosy and laid back enough to kick your shoes off and take a nap by the fire! They can arrange fly fishing days or spa treatments.
The nearby town of Lymington is perfect for a wander, there are various markets and I enjoy seeing the the sail boats bobbing on the water along the marina. If you’ve got good sea legs you could head out sailing yourself. I like being immersed in the local culture wherever I visit and local art reflects the life of an area. The Coastal Gallery shows the work of local artists and I defy you not to be swept away by the seascapes.
Lymington has a hidden gem - ’Graze’, where you could drop by for a drink and end up whiling away the rest of the day. Open from breakfast through the evening and specialising in small plates. There really is something for every taste on the menu- we delighted in the courgette fritters and lamb skewers and I found lots of options as a vegetarian. There is a friendly vibe and the candle light in the evenings reflects the warm glow of your countryside rosy cheeks.
Explore the history of the area with a visit to Highcliffe Castle. Feel like a Lord or Lady walking around this mansion from the 1830’s. As well as the architecture and history to take in, there are a number of exhibitions and concerts. Ensure you indulge in some traditional tea and scones in the tea rooms and burn it off with a turn around the gardens.
Photo credit: coastal-gallery.co.uk
HAVE A CLASSIC BRITISH DAY IN LONDON
Interested in what to check out in London? Then meet Olivia, a londoner who loves
off-the-beaten-track, as well as classic cultural experience. With an abundance of hip places to eat and drink, it’s easy to overlook the classic art galleries and cultural experiences. Take a day and mix in some of the London classics with the unique. After all, they’re classics for a good reason.
Breakfast at Bloomsbury Coffee House: Seriously, do it. Its design-conscious interior, organic food, and life-changing coffee will not disappoint. Save it to your Everplaces collection
Contemplate modern art at the Tate Modern: By far my favorite collection of modern art, The Tate Modern is a hip place to spend the morning. Save place
Camden Lock Market: See a different side of the city in Camden-town. It’s the ultimate vintage shopping experience, and has excellent street food, an alternative crowd, and many treasures to be found. Save it to your Everplaces collection
Afternoon Tea at the Orangery: Located in the beautiful Kensington Gardens, this is the perfect place to have a cup of tea. It’s the ultimate cherry on top of a day in London. Save place
Evensong at Westminster Abbey: Avoid paying the steep charge to get into the Abbey and attend Evensong, a form of evening prayer featuring a talented choir. Save place
Be classy at the London Symphony Orchestra: Located at The Barbican, Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue, everything you need for the evening is inside. Grab dinner at the Barbican Foodhall, a cafeteria-style restaurant which offers cheap meals in a beautifully designed-space. One of the best orchestra’s in the world awaits you right downstairs. Save it to your Everplaces collection
You can browse through Olivia’s entire collection of great insider tips for London here