On my second full day in Reykjavik, I ticked off two of Iceland's most bucket-list-worthy experiences: touring the incredible natural landscapes of the Golden Circle and taking a jeep safari to hunt the Northern Lights. Not a bad day, in other words!
27 November 2016
Reykjavik I: Exploring Downtown Reykjavik
Iceland has been on my bucket list for a number of years but I've always been paralysed by indecision: should I go in the summer for long days, road trips and puffin-spotting, or in the winter for potential Northern Lights activity but likely bad weather? I ended up opting for the latter for my first trip to the country; I've been enjoying it so much so far that I'm sure a return in the summer will be on the cards.
21 November 2016
"I Believe You Call It Democracy" — A United Kingdom Review
Amma Asante's new film A United Kingdom opens in 1947: just two years after the end of World War Two and London is finding its feet again. A young man and woman meet at a dance, fall in love and decide to marry. It's the oldest story in the book — what could be more ordinary? Yet Ruth (Rosamund Pike) and Seretse (David Oyelowo) are no ordinary couple and theirs is a most extraordinary true story.
Asante's film is a beautiful and powerful portrayal of a particularly shameful period in Britain's recent history in which Ruth is the daughter of a lower-middle-class salesman and who works in a typing pool. Seretse is the heir to Bechuanaland, the southern African country that would eventually become Botswana but at the time a protectorate of the United Kingdom.
Asante's film is a beautiful and powerful portrayal of a particularly shameful period in Britain's recent history in which Ruth is the daughter of a lower-middle-class salesman and who works in a typing pool. Seretse is the heir to Bechuanaland, the southern African country that would eventually become Botswana but at the time a protectorate of the United Kingdom.
They meet after Seretse finishes his studies at Oxford and shortly before his uncle calls him back to his homeland to take up his birthright as king of Bechuanaland. The happy young couple decide to marry against the wishes of both families — and against the wishes of the British government, whose interests in this matter range from murky to downright questionable.
Still, optimistically — naively, perhaps — they press forward, hoping that their families and countries will come to accept their marriage once they have returned to Bechuanaland. Instead, what follows is a number of years of struggle, separation, courage and belief that love will indeed conquer all.
A United Kingdom is rich in its contrasts: golden, sun-parched African landscapes and grey, rainy London streets, accompanied by Patrick Doyle's haunting score. But the film's beauty goes far beyond its surface and its striking cinematography. It's a compelling story, with Oyelowo a magnetic and quietly commanding screen presence as always.
Still, optimistically — naively, perhaps — they press forward, hoping that their families and countries will come to accept their marriage once they have returned to Bechuanaland. Instead, what follows is a number of years of struggle, separation, courage and belief that love will indeed conquer all.
A United Kingdom is rich in its contrasts: golden, sun-parched African landscapes and grey, rainy London streets, accompanied by Patrick Doyle's haunting score. But the film's beauty goes far beyond its surface and its striking cinematography. It's a compelling story, with Oyelowo a magnetic and quietly commanding screen presence as always.
Pike's role is, in some ways, more understated but it is to the actress's credit that Ruth's strengths shine through, particularly when she is forced to adapt to life in Bechuanaland in ways she had never anticipated. Her accent wavers at times — from Lardarn to upper crust — but this may stem from Ruth's own struggle to find her place in the world of which she was once so confident.
I'd like to say that the British government characters — particularly Jack Davenport's slimy Alistair Canning and Tom Felton's smug Rufus Lancaster — were caricatures (never has the phrase, "would you care for sherry?" made me rage more at the big screen), but alas, I suspect they are all too accurate.
Asante is rapidly establishing herself as a very accomplished director. As with her previous film, Belle, A United Kingdom is a complex but fascinating story about love, history, politics and race. It isn't a 'worthy' film in the negative sense of the word; it's just an engrossing, inspiring and very well-made film
I'd like to say that the British government characters — particularly Jack Davenport's slimy Alistair Canning and Tom Felton's smug Rufus Lancaster — were caricatures (never has the phrase, "would you care for sherry?" made me rage more at the big screen), but alas, I suspect they are all too accurate.
Asante is rapidly establishing herself as a very accomplished director. As with her previous film, Belle, A United Kingdom is a complex but fascinating story about love, history, politics and race. It isn't a 'worthy' film in the negative sense of the word; it's just an engrossing, inspiring and very well-made film
18 November 2016
At German Gymnasium, Central European Fare in a Period Setting
After a three-course meal at German Gymnasium, you'll probably need a trip to a real gymnasium. The restaurant, located on King's Boulevard in the heart of the King's Cross redevelopment, is divided into a more casual, all-day 'grand café' on the ground floor and a more formal restaurant upstairs, but the menu is on the heavy side even downstairs. On a rainy Monday evening in November, however, German- and northern-European-influenced comfort food was just what I felt like and my mum and I decided to celebrate our respective birthdays there.
17 November 2016
"Now That's a Proper Introduction" — Arrival Review
"So, how many languages do you speak?" As a former student of linguistics, I have been asked this question a lot. The answer is: three fluently (English, French and Italian), one well (Spanish) and two a little (German and Japanese) but, as I would often explain, linguistics isn't about learning as many languages as possible, but the scientific study of language — how it evolved, how it is structured and how it varies.
The cliché of the linguist as the polyglot is the biggest misstep of Denis Villeneuve's new film Arrival, but something likely only to irritate linguists, who are, in any case, too busy enjoying their discipline's moment in the spotlight to care too much; besides, there are a few good linguistics in-jokes too.
As usual, I've tried to avoid any major spoilers in this review, but this is one of those films that is best experienced by going in knowing as little as possible about it, so please consider coming back after you've watched the film if you would like to go into it with a blank slate. Suffice to say, though, that it was beautiful and moving, thoughtful and complex, and one of my favourite films of the year. The Contact connection is an obvious one but it reminded me more of Christopher Nolan's excellent Interstellar in its themes and tone.
The film's titular arrival is that of twelve huge ovoid spacecraft in random locations across the globe, prompting world leaders to try to work out who or what is inside them and what they want. Some nations react with suspicion, while others send in the scientists, including theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner). The US military also sends in the country's top linguist, Louise Banks (Amy Adams) — or, at least, the top linguist who already has the necessary security clearance. Handily, she is also fluent in a wide array of languages.
Banks's task is to find out why the alien visitors are here. Unsurprisingly, she is apprehensive when she first enters the alien craft that has landed in Montana and the reveal of the alien beings — shadowy seven-legged cephalopods — is teasingly slow. After a brief attempt to crack the heptapods' 'spoken' language, Banks demonstrates writing, eventually encouraging the pair — whom Donnelly dubs Abbott and Costello — to reveal their own form of visual communication: complex, ephemeral ink patterns that resemble coffee rings. With Louise's knowledge of language and some hefty computational processing power, the team make very gradual progress in understanding what Abbott and Costello have to say.
At least, so they think; without any common points of reference, how could another being understand that if I point at myself and say 'Bex', I am referring to 'Bex the coffee blogger' rather than 'woman', 'human' or 'living creature', for example? There is a crucial difference, then, between the heptapods saying they have weapons and saying they have a gift.
As usual, I've tried to avoid any major spoilers in this review, but this is one of those films that is best experienced by going in knowing as little as possible about it, so please consider coming back after you've watched the film if you would like to go into it with a blank slate. Suffice to say, though, that it was beautiful and moving, thoughtful and complex, and one of my favourite films of the year. The Contact connection is an obvious one but it reminded me more of Christopher Nolan's excellent Interstellar in its themes and tone.
The film's titular arrival is that of twelve huge ovoid spacecraft in random locations across the globe, prompting world leaders to try to work out who or what is inside them and what they want. Some nations react with suspicion, while others send in the scientists, including theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner). The US military also sends in the country's top linguist, Louise Banks (Amy Adams) — or, at least, the top linguist who already has the necessary security clearance. Handily, she is also fluent in a wide array of languages.
Banks's task is to find out why the alien visitors are here. Unsurprisingly, she is apprehensive when she first enters the alien craft that has landed in Montana and the reveal of the alien beings — shadowy seven-legged cephalopods — is teasingly slow. After a brief attempt to crack the heptapods' 'spoken' language, Banks demonstrates writing, eventually encouraging the pair — whom Donnelly dubs Abbott and Costello — to reveal their own form of visual communication: complex, ephemeral ink patterns that resemble coffee rings. With Louise's knowledge of language and some hefty computational processing power, the team make very gradual progress in understanding what Abbott and Costello have to say.
At least, so they think; without any common points of reference, how could another being understand that if I point at myself and say 'Bex', I am referring to 'Bex the coffee blogger' rather than 'woman', 'human' or 'living creature', for example? There is a crucial difference, then, between the heptapods saying they have weapons and saying they have a gift.
One of the film's central linguistic themes relates to linguistic relativity whereby the language you speak shapes how you perceive the world. Without saying too much about the language or communication system of the heptapods, the perception of time is a critical component of it, and this also becomes key to understanding the film.
While Banks endeavours to crack her toughest linguistic puzzle yet, she is also struggling with events in her personal life, which first surface in the film's opening sequence — an emotional and powerful montage that is accompanied by Max Richter's haunting and apt On the Nature of Daylight. And really, despite its alien catalysts, Arrival is a film about humanity, compassion and understanding. Adams is magnificent as Banks — empathetic, warm and convincing as the unlikely heroine, she manages to turn her character's inherent sadness into her biggest strength.
Villeneuve's film is cleverly structured and compelling to watch, particularly as the final pennies begin to drop. Like Interstellar, it is the kind of film that overwhelms you at the time and then stays with you as you gradually process what you have seen and experienced. Although quite different from Villeneuve's last film, Sicario, Arrival does have a lot in common with his 2011 movie Incendies, where the search for truth, identity and meaning also features prominently.
While Banks endeavours to crack her toughest linguistic puzzle yet, she is also struggling with events in her personal life, which first surface in the film's opening sequence — an emotional and powerful montage that is accompanied by Max Richter's haunting and apt On the Nature of Daylight. And really, despite its alien catalysts, Arrival is a film about humanity, compassion and understanding. Adams is magnificent as Banks — empathetic, warm and convincing as the unlikely heroine, she manages to turn her character's inherent sadness into her biggest strength.
Villeneuve's film is cleverly structured and compelling to watch, particularly as the final pennies begin to drop. Like Interstellar, it is the kind of film that overwhelms you at the time and then stays with you as you gradually process what you have seen and experienced. Although quite different from Villeneuve's last film, Sicario, Arrival does have a lot in common with his 2011 movie Incendies, where the search for truth, identity and meaning also features prominently.
14 November 2016
Birthday Fun at Mercato Metropolitano
Regular readers will know that I am a great fan of street food markets and I've always envied friends with summer birthdays who can organise fun but casual evening celebrations at the likes of Street Feast. But my birthday is in mid-November — today, in fact — and it's rare that the weather is very pleasant.
09 November 2016
Weekend Brunch at Galley, Islington
Although I work in King's Cross, I only eat out very rarely in nearby Islington, which is a shame because there are a number of restaurants in the neighbourhood that I'm very keen to try. Oldroyd is one and Galley, a little further up Upper Street, was another until my friends and I selected it as the latest venue for our monthly girls' brunch a couple of weeks ago.
07 November 2016
The Caffeine Chronicles: The New Black Coffee (CLOSED)
UPDATE: The New Black has now closed permanently.
The New Black's London base is right opposite the Walkie Talkie building, which means that even on a Saturday — usually a quiet day for The City — there are quite a few passersby on their way to the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street. Despite its unassuming façade, the interiors are accented with enough bright neon colours that I blended in rather well in my hot pink down jacket.
On the left-hand side is a world map highlighting some of the roasters from around the world whose coffees are currently featured. Many of these names are familiar to and beloved of me: Tim Wendelboe (Oslo), Verve (Santa Cruz, CA), Counter Culture (Durham, NC), and The Coffee Collective (Copenhagen), to list just a few. There are small ceramic cups with samples of each bean available too.
A long, futuristic-looking counter runs the length of the café's right-hand side. At the very end is a handy, colourful coffee tasting wheel, as well as The New Black's recommended coffees for brewed and espresso-based drinks, each coffee being listed with its tasting notes. This extensive coffee menu is also displayed on the iPads that are positioned along the counter.
Naturally, I wanted to try a piccolo and a filter coffee. For the espresso-based drink, I went with something old (familiar to me, at least): the Sermon blend from Verve (£3.40 as an espresso or piccolo). However, as I was, after all, in The New Black, I felt that I ought to try a new-to-me roaster for my black coffee. I wasn't familiar with Sydney roaster Single O, but their Shakiso variety from Ethiopian (£5) sounded right up my street. Filter coffees are brewed to order through the Alpha Dominche Steampunk.
The barista brought over my piccolo first, just as I had to take an urgent work phone call. By the time I'd finished, my coffee was already cooling so, unprompted, the barista made me a new one, which was incredibly sweet. The second one arrived looking more like a piccolo, with a nice latte art heart on top.
I also really liked the ceramic cups in which the coffee was served; they come from Singapore. The lighting in the seating area was, alas, not great for photography, but the piccolo was very nice. You could really taste the rich dark chocolatey notes and the latte art remained all the way down.
As for the brewed coffee, I was really impressed. £5 is a lot for a filter coffee (£3.40 is not cheap for a piccolo, for that matter), but the subtle flavour notes of the light, fruity and refreshing Shakiso coffee came through really nicely. I'm now keen to try some more of Single O's coffees.
The New Black is a good spot for tea lovers too (I didn't investigate the broad offering) and they also serve various cakes and pastries from local bakeries — as I was leaving (just as they were closing), the staff insisted that I take a canelé to try as they would have to throw them out otherwise, and it was a lovely sweet treat.
As for the brewed coffee, I was really impressed. £5 is a lot for a filter coffee (£3.40 is not cheap for a piccolo, for that matter), but the subtle flavour notes of the light, fruity and refreshing Shakiso coffee came through really nicely. I'm now keen to try some more of Single O's coffees.
The New Black is a good spot for tea lovers too (I didn't investigate the broad offering) and they also serve various cakes and pastries from local bakeries — as I was leaving (just as they were closing), the staff insisted that I take a canelé to try as they would have to throw them out otherwise, and it was a lovely sweet treat.
Seating-wise, there are a few small tables next to the coffee bar, topped with cool but not easily photographed shiny metal surfaces; there are more tables in the back, along with a roaster hall of fame.
Although the prices are a little steep, I was impressed with both of the coffees I tried and, as I'm always looking for opportunities to sample coffee from new or hard-to-obtain roasters, I'm happy to pay a little more for the privilege. Their Single O filter coffee is, after all, cheaper than a return flight to Melbourne! And with its friendly, knowledgeable staff, The New Black is a great addition to London's coffee scene.
The New Black. 10 Philpot Lane, London, EC3M 8AA (Tube: Monument).
Although the prices are a little steep, I was impressed with both of the coffees I tried and, as I'm always looking for opportunities to sample coffee from new or hard-to-obtain roasters, I'm happy to pay a little more for the privilege. Their Single O filter coffee is, after all, cheaper than a return flight to Melbourne! And with its friendly, knowledgeable staff, The New Black is a great addition to London's coffee scene.
The New Black. 10 Philpot Lane, London, EC3M 8AA (Tube: Monument).
02 November 2016
The NYC Caffeine Chronicles: 2016 Brooklyn Update
I've spent a lot of time in Brooklyn over the years, but with the exception of the original Café Grumpy and Williamsburg Toby's Estate, I haven't made many inroads into the borough's specialty coffee scene. I'm not quite sure why — possibly because by the time I make it over (or under) the river, it's often cocktail hour — but on my most recent trip, I started to make amends and spent half a day visiting four coffee bars. There were a couple more on my list but neither time nor my caffeine intake (I'd made the rookie error of drinking three coffees back in Manhattan) were on my side.
Devociòn (Williamsburg)
As with many visitors to New York, Williamsburg is the Brooklyn neighbourhood with which I am most familiar, so I'll start with the two cafés I visited there, although chronologically speaking, Williamsburg was at the end of my self-guided walking tour. I had heard many good things about the NYC branch of Colombian roaster Devociòn and I'm pleased to say that the rumours were true!
On a cold but sunny autumn afternoon, the large central sitting area was bathed in light from the giant skylight and there was a bustling, vibrant atmosphere. The décor is rustic — comfy leather sofas, brick walls and cheerful pops of bright yellow, from the cups to the wall art and parasols. The coffee menu was extensive, with three varieties of coffee served as a pourover (plus a 'special edition'), as well as the usual espresso-based drinks and several cold drinks served on tap (sparkling cascara, for instance).
If I didn't have two more coffee bars on my list for the afternoon, I would have liked to try the Ruarai as a single-origin espresso or to try the one and one (a split double-shot: one espresso and one mac). Supercrown is also famous for its coffee milkshakes and the maple lattes are also supposed to be good, but neither is really my thing.
Devociòn (Williamsburg)
As with many visitors to New York, Williamsburg is the Brooklyn neighbourhood with which I am most familiar, so I'll start with the two cafés I visited there, although chronologically speaking, Williamsburg was at the end of my self-guided walking tour. I had heard many good things about the NYC branch of Colombian roaster Devociòn and I'm pleased to say that the rumours were true!
On a cold but sunny autumn afternoon, the large central sitting area was bathed in light from the giant skylight and there was a bustling, vibrant atmosphere. The décor is rustic — comfy leather sofas, brick walls and cheerful pops of bright yellow, from the cups to the wall art and parasols. The coffee menu was extensive, with three varieties of coffee served as a pourover (plus a 'special edition'), as well as the usual espresso-based drinks and several cold drinks served on tap (sparkling cascara, for instance).
Although I really wanted to try a pourover, I had just had two filter coffees in Bushwick, and so stuck to a cortado, which was strong and smooth. The barista apologised for not having a glass to serve it in, but I rather liked my sunny yellow cup. Devociòn also serves some great-looking sandwiches, and although it's busy, there are plenty of seats so you should find a spot to sit.
Devociòn is located at 69 Grand Ave nr Wyithe. Instagram.
Sweatshop (Williamsburg) (CLOSED)
A Sydney-based coffee-loving friend of mine recommended Sweatshop, which is just a few blocks east of Devociòn, a couple of years ago and I've been wanting to visit the espresso bar/lifestyle store/creative space ever since. The first thing to note is that: there is a place called The Sweatshop in Bushwick (just down the block from City of Saints, in fact) that also describes itself as a creative studio of sorts — it is, however, a music recording studio/rehearsal space and they don't serve coffee!
As soon as I saw the, "Don't look for love, look for coffee," sign outside, I knew I had come to the right place. Inside, Sweatshop is small with just a couple of small, mirrored tables and a larger communal table, with more seating out front. The interiors are minimalist: a sleek black La Marzocco sits on a black counter; the menu — which is in Australian — is also monochrome and the Acme cups are slate grey.
Devociòn is located at 69 Grand Ave nr Wyithe. Instagram.
Sweatshop (Williamsburg) (CLOSED)
A Sydney-based coffee-loving friend of mine recommended Sweatshop, which is just a few blocks east of Devociòn, a couple of years ago and I've been wanting to visit the espresso bar/lifestyle store/creative space ever since. The first thing to note is that: there is a place called The Sweatshop in Bushwick (just down the block from City of Saints, in fact) that also describes itself as a creative studio of sorts — it is, however, a music recording studio/rehearsal space and they don't serve coffee!
As soon as I saw the, "Don't look for love, look for coffee," sign outside, I knew I had come to the right place. Inside, Sweatshop is small with just a couple of small, mirrored tables and a larger communal table, with more seating out front. The interiors are minimalist: a sleek black La Marzocco sits on a black counter; the menu — which is in Australian — is also monochrome and the Acme cups are slate grey.
After so many cortados, which, in the US sense of the word, tend to be a little too long for my taste, it was nice to have the option to order a shorter piccolo. From the menu, I also learned some new Aussie coffee terminology: esky (iced coffee), sparky (espresso tonic) and magic (flat white). If you need more guidance, there is a handy chart in the bathroom (or you could just ask!).
The coffee is from Counter Culture and piccolo was excellent: one of the best espresso-based drinks I had on this trip, with great latte art and a smooth but flavoursome taste. You can also order a doughnut (I had a lavender-vanilla one, which was delicious), "brekkie biscuits" or "jaffles", if you are so inclined. You can also shop from the small but well-curated selection of lifestyle goods on sale — most of which are similarly monochrome. Sweatshop is based in the heart of Williamsburg so there is really no excuse not to stop by if you're in the neighbourhood.
Sweatshop is located at 232 Metropolitan Ave bet. Bedford & Driggs. CLOSED
City of Saints Roastery (Bushwick)
It's about a two-mile walk from Williamsburg to Bushwick, where the other coffee spots on my tour are located. If you don't fancy walking, it's a short ride on the L subway line, but I prefer to explore new neighbourhoods on foot. I didn't have time to stop for coffee at the City of Saints Roastery, which is in an industrial area in the north of Bushwick, but I happened to pass it on my walk so I peeked inside.
The coffee is from Counter Culture and piccolo was excellent: one of the best espresso-based drinks I had on this trip, with great latte art and a smooth but flavoursome taste. You can also order a doughnut (I had a lavender-vanilla one, which was delicious), "brekkie biscuits" or "jaffles", if you are so inclined. You can also shop from the small but well-curated selection of lifestyle goods on sale — most of which are similarly monochrome. Sweatshop is based in the heart of Williamsburg so there is really no excuse not to stop by if you're in the neighbourhood.
Sweatshop is located at 232 Metropolitan Ave bet. Bedford & Driggs. CLOSED
City of Saints Roastery (Bushwick)
It's about a two-mile walk from Williamsburg to Bushwick, where the other coffee spots on my tour are located. If you don't fancy walking, it's a short ride on the L subway line, but I prefer to explore new neighbourhoods on foot. I didn't have time to stop for coffee at the City of Saints Roastery, which is in an industrial area in the north of Bushwick, but I happened to pass it on my walk so I peeked inside.
I had already had a pourover at City of Saints' Manhattan coffee bar and bought a bag of beans, so it was nice to see where the roasting magic happens. There aren't very many other points of interest nearby (save the aforementioned music studio The Sweatshop) — in some ways, it reminded me of some of the arches of my own London neighbourhood, Bermondsey.
City of Saints' roastery is located at 297 Meserole St bet. Waterbury & Bogart. Twitter. Instagram.
Supercrown Coffee Roasters (Bushwick) (CLOSED)
I visited many coffee bars and cafés on my most recent trip to New York, but Supercrown in Bushwick might well be my favourite new discovery. As soon as I saw the coffee bar set-up on their Instagram — royal blue espresso machine and hot pink grinders — I knew that it was my kind of place and indeed, they seem to like vibrant colours as much as I do.
Supercrown's coffee bar is large and spacious, although only has a few high tables (with super-comfy, velvet-covered stools) for drinking in. The café is very bright, thanks in part to the stark white walls, accented with wooden furniture. The roaster — also bright pink — occupies a large open space at the back. Meanwhile, the colourful retail bags of coffee beans sit like a rainbow on the shelves near the door.
The pourover menu at Supercrown is particularly extensive: there were seven coffee varieties available and in the end, I went with the barista's recommendation of a Ruarai coffee from Kenya (Ruarai is obviously producing some great coffee at the moment, as I also had a Ruarai variety at City of Saints).
City of Saints' roastery is located at 297 Meserole St bet. Waterbury & Bogart. Twitter. Instagram.
Supercrown Coffee Roasters (Bushwick) (CLOSED)
I visited many coffee bars and cafés on my most recent trip to New York, but Supercrown in Bushwick might well be my favourite new discovery. As soon as I saw the coffee bar set-up on their Instagram — royal blue espresso machine and hot pink grinders — I knew that it was my kind of place and indeed, they seem to like vibrant colours as much as I do.
Supercrown's coffee bar is large and spacious, although only has a few high tables (with super-comfy, velvet-covered stools) for drinking in. The café is very bright, thanks in part to the stark white walls, accented with wooden furniture. The roaster — also bright pink — occupies a large open space at the back. Meanwhile, the colourful retail bags of coffee beans sit like a rainbow on the shelves near the door.
The pourover menu at Supercrown is particularly extensive: there were seven coffee varieties available and in the end, I went with the barista's recommendation of a Ruarai coffee from Kenya (Ruarai is obviously producing some great coffee at the moment, as I also had a Ruarai variety at City of Saints).
The coffee tasted fantastic, the slightly sharp fruity notes contrasting nicely with the subtler sweeter flavours. On the tray, the barista placed a card containing information about the coffee, which is *great* for bloggers like me, who otherwise end up taking endless photos of menus and bags of means or scribble down notes. The orangey-yellow beans pictured above are the Ruarai.
If I didn't have two more coffee bars on my list for the afternoon, I would have liked to try the Ruarai as a single-origin espresso or to try the one and one (a split double-shot: one espresso and one mac). Supercrown is also famous for its coffee milkshakes and the maple lattes are also supposed to be good, but neither is really my thing.
The breakfast sandwiches, however, sounded great. With its relaxed ambience, knowledgeable baristas and great coffee, Supercrown is well worth the journey — even if that journey is all the way from London!
Supercrown is located at 8 Wilson Ave nr Noll. CLOSED
Walter's Coffee Roastery (Bushwick) CLOSED
When a Breaking Bad-themed coffee shop named Walter's Coffee Roastery opened in Istanbul last year, followed more recently by a second location in Bushwick, Brooklyn, I thought the premise was great. However, I also assumed that it sounded very gimmicky and that the coffee wouldn't be any good. As soon as I arrived at the Brooklyn café, though, my skepticism began to fall away: Walter's would be a great coffee spot even without the Breaking Bad connection.
Like Devociòn, Walter's is decorated with pops of bright yellow, which contrasts nicely with the clean — dare I say sterile? — walls. The menu is probably the most gimmicky thing there — a periodic table of coffee — but I loved it; what a wonderful idea. They had run out of the Japanese cold brew — more was brewing, so I went for a fruity Kenyan coffee, brewed through the Chemex.
The coffee took a little while to cool — perhaps I just noticed this because I was on a tight schedule — but was very flavoursome and full-bodied. As my surname begins with 'W', I also had designs on the mug, which didn't seem to be for sale, but I took only photos. The café itself is large and spacious with a few seats at the front, next to the coffee bar, and tables of various size in the larger back room and patio.
Supercrown is located at 8 Wilson Ave nr Noll. CLOSED
Walter's Coffee Roastery (Bushwick) CLOSED
When a Breaking Bad-themed coffee shop named Walter's Coffee Roastery opened in Istanbul last year, followed more recently by a second location in Bushwick, Brooklyn, I thought the premise was great. However, I also assumed that it sounded very gimmicky and that the coffee wouldn't be any good. As soon as I arrived at the Brooklyn café, though, my skepticism began to fall away: Walter's would be a great coffee spot even without the Breaking Bad connection.
Like Devociòn, Walter's is decorated with pops of bright yellow, which contrasts nicely with the clean — dare I say sterile? — walls. The menu is probably the most gimmicky thing there — a periodic table of coffee — but I loved it; what a wonderful idea. They had run out of the Japanese cold brew — more was brewing, so I went for a fruity Kenyan coffee, brewed through the Chemex.
The coffee took a little while to cool — perhaps I just noticed this because I was on a tight schedule — but was very flavoursome and full-bodied. As my surname begins with 'W', I also had designs on the mug, which didn't seem to be for sale, but I took only photos. The café itself is large and spacious with a few seats at the front, next to the coffee bar, and tables of various size in the larger back room and patio.
The crowd was a mix of MacBook-toting locals and tourists, and the diverse menu at Walter's was clearly very carefully selected to please both crowds. But the staff clearly take great pride in the quality of their coffees, which they roast themselves, and they are knowledgeable and friendly whether you're a specialty coffee connoisseur or a Walter White fan.
Walter's is located at 65 Irving Ave @ Starr. CLOSED
You can also find out which Manhattan coffee bars I visited last month and read almost a decade of my New York coffee posts here.
Walter's is located at 65 Irving Ave @ Starr. CLOSED
You can also find out which Manhattan coffee bars I visited last month and read almost a decade of my New York coffee posts here.