31 March 2013

The Caffeine Chronicles: Attendant Review

Last week I became privy to a not particularly well-kept secret: the latest addition to London's burgeoning independent café empire is located in a restored Victorian toilet. I'm not taking the piss [that's enough loo jokes—Ed]. Lovingly cleaned and tarted up, Attendant opened for business a few weeks ago and offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. Because where better to quaff your coffee than in front of a shiny porcelain urinal?

Attendant, Fitzrovia

Attendant is located on the corner of Foley Street and Great Titchfield Street in Fitzrovia, just up the road from the Riding House Café. Just look for the lovely typography on the sign and head downstairs. If you're in a rush, you can ring the bell at street level and the staff will bring your order out to you, but I'd recommend paying a visit.


While I waited for the others, I ordered a double macchiato and, because it was Good Friday, a sparkling Mini Egg blondie. The lunch special of the day was a meatball sandwich, which looked amazing, but sadly I had already eaten (I believe pulled pork was on the menu earlier in the week). The coffee is from Caravan and was very good: rich, smooth and creamy. The blondie, which contained all manner of unhealthy ingredients, such as marshmallows and edible glitter, was chewy and very tasty.

Mini Egg blondie and double macchiato at Attendant

It is, of course, the setting that makes Attendant unique, and the café has been decorated with immaculate attention to detail, from the green bar stools that match the original wall tiling, to the beautifully spotless urinals themselves, the vintage lamps, and the tiled walls that have been left in a carefully distressed state. It's a bit of a gimmick and I wasn't surprised when The Bro told me the owner was a PR guru, but if you can back up your USP with great food and coffee, then why should that matter? 

I lav the décor!

I'll definitely be back for more coffee and sweet treats, and I'm also keen to try out the lunch menu. The only minor problem is that ironically, they don't actually have a customer loo.

Attendant. 27a Foley Street (downstairs), London, W1W 6DY (Tube: Oxford Circus or Goodge Street). Website. Twitter. Instagram.

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