Bean Review: Square Mile Belen

Just let me finish this mile high and I'll be right with you. Oh, and Jerry, we are going to need a case of Kaiser rolls

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode, "The Slicer")

I wanted to get beans from Square Mile a while ago. So as soon as I spotted they had a new espresso Colombian coffee I couldn’t resist.

Espresso Time

Belen is a single origin espresso beans, from 50 producers within Belen association in Huila region.

Roaster: Square Mile

Medium Roast

Belen Espresso

Varietals: Caturra

Score: 3.5/5

Espresso Perfetto

Lovely coffee, Belen is light and full of juicy flavours. Great aromas as soon as you open the bag. It produces a thin layer of crema, and you will get a light body full of floral and berries notes. Long aftertaste, some bitterness, and strong acidity from some citrus notes. Goes well with milk based drinks such as a macchiato as the milk exalts some of the sweet notes.

The beans were grinded with a Rancilio Rocky grinder and the extraction made with a Rancilio Silvia

Square Mile

T: 020 7729 3744

Coffee Roasters

Twitter: squaremile

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Coffee Enquiry XX: Lantana a Brunch place on Charlotte Place

She invited me up, coffee's not coffee, coffee is sex! 

George Costanza (Seinfeld episode “The Phone Message”) 

It has been a while since my last brunch, so I decided it was about time to cross a name out of my breakfast London list. The place I decided to go was Lantana, another successful Aussie place that opened in 2008. A small two level place with just a couple of tables al fresco, open seven days a week, same owners of Salvation Jane in Moorgate/Shoreditch. 

The place

My view old family picture

The place was completely packed for brunch, after waiting for 10min we got sits downstairs. I went for the ham hock, with chorizo, roast peppers, baked beans, spinach, poached eggs, and a chili cornbread. All in all it was nice, the spicy cornbread was, as well as the chorizo and beans combo, the downside was the eggs that were overcooked. 

Ham Hock

Halloumi and Black Pudding

Marisol got the salt beef hash with poached eggs, fresh spinach, and smoked tomato relish. The dish was ok, the eggs again where way over, the yolk wasn’t running, so no happiness, overall it missed a toast or some sort of bread to come with 

Salt beef

Now let’s talk about the coffee. I had big expectations as the Aussie places characterize by good coffee. They are using Square Mile beans. The coffees come with their latte art touch, and if you asked them about the coffee they gladly explain everything. 

Red Brick

I got a macchiato and a flat white, both top marks, I don’t recall liking so much Red Brick seasonal blend.

Flat

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco

Beans: Square Mile

Score: 4/5 

Macchiato

Really good coffee and not too bad brunch place. Stop by for a cup of coffee if you’re around.

Lantana

T: 020 7637 3347

Breakfast / Coffee

Approx Damage: £15pp

Area: Fitzrovia

Borough: Camden

Twitter: lantanacafe

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Coffee Enquiry XIV: Balthazar Boulangerie

Finally one of my favourite NYC places is in London. Balthazar is in town. Keith McNally took the complete concept and made a carbon copy of the Soho place in Covent Garden. There is no sitting at the Boulangerie, only take away options, including, artisan breads, sweets, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and coffee. Everything is baked and made in house by chef Regis Beauregard in charge of pastries and chef Jon Rolfe as head baker. 

The Door to the Bakery

Salads and sandwiches

Cafe & The

Got to the place, ordered a focaccia, some cookies, and a macchiato. The coffee was strong and nice, no latte art, remember is in a take away cup so no need for that. Service was extremely friendly. 

Macchiato

Take away style

Espresso Machine: Wega

Beans: Square Mile

Score: 4/5

Bread

Nice bread, the focaccia flavour was great, the coffee was excellent, red brick blend from Square Mile.

Some cookies to go

Bread reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Rye” 

Jerry: He stole back the rye?

George: Yeah

Jerry: Why?

George: Why? Why? Because he's off his rocker! That's why

Jerry: So, do the Ross's know?

George: I don't know. They're all very suspicious

Jerry: Why wouldn't they be? A rye bread doesn't just disappear

George: Now, because of that stupid rye bread, I got to keep them all separated for the rest of my life

Balthazar Boulangerie

T: 020 3301 1155

Bakery

Approx Damage: £10pp

Area: Covent Garden

Borough: City of Westminster

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The Coffee Inquiry XI: Full Stop

Wandering around Brick Lane, showing Roberto and Eliana the area, we decided to do a quick stop for a coffee, and that was a great opportunity to try Full Stop. Nice place, quiet in the hectic Brick Lane environment, simple but comfy sofas, couple tables, old photographs, the place was originally an antique shop, now a coffee bar that looks like the house of an old relative, great music, and they have live music some days. Offering goes around coffee, croissants, sandwiches, sweet treats, ales by Redchurch brewery, and even wine. 

Brick Lane

The place

Got to the place order my typical macchiato, we share a muffin, and we sat down to chat for hours, the place is so relaxing that the time goes by and you don’t realise it. Coffee from Square Mile, nice as usual, latte art in its beginnings. 

Counter

Figuring out what was that? go to the left sign?

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco 

Beans: Square Mile 

Score: 4/5 

Nice coffee, relaxing environment, friendly service, an the music is great.

Maybe a Corazon Partio?

Menu

Stop reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Fire” 

Kramer: Oh, yeah! You gave her a taste of medicine, al right 

Jerry: Well, I didn't want her to have an accident 

George: What accident? 

Kramer: Well, after he heckled Toby, she got so upset, she ran out of the building and a street sweeper ran over her foot and severed her pinkie toe 

George: That's unbelievable! 

Kramer: Yeah! Then after the ambulance left, I found the toe! So I put it in a Cracker Jack box, filled it with ice, and took off for the hospital 

George: You ran? 

Kramer: No, I jumped on the bus. I told the driver, I got a toe here, buddy step on it 

George: Holy cow! 

Kramer: Yeah, yeah, then all of a sudden, this guy pulls out a gun. Well, I knew any delay is going to cost her pinkie toe, so I got out of the seat and I started walking towards him. He says, Where do you think you're going, Cracker Jack? I said, Well, I got a little prize for you, buddy knocked him out cold 

George: How could you do that? 

Kramer: Then everybody is screaming, because the driver, he's passed out from all the commotion the bus is out of control! So, I grab him by the collar, I take him out of the seat, I get behind the wheel and now I'm driving the bus 

George: You're Batman 

Kramer: Yeah, yeah, I am Batman. Then the mugger, he comes to, and he starts choking me! So I'm fighting him off with one hand and I kept driving the bus with the other, you know? Then I managed to open up the door, and I kicked him out the door with my foot, you know at the next stop 

Jerry: You kept making all the stops? 

Kramer: Well, people kept ringing the bell 

George: Well, what about the toe? What happened to the toe? 

Kramer: Well! I am happy to say that the little guy is back in place at the end of the line. 

George: You did all this for a pinkie toe?

Kramer: Well, it's a valuable appendage

Full Stop

T: 020 7739 7086

Coffeehouse

Area: Brick Lane

Borough: Tower Hamlets

Twitter: fullstopbar

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The Coffee Inquiry X: Notes – Trafalgar Square

I took Roberto and Eliana to Notes in Trafalgar, pretty similar to the one in Covent Garden, the concept, music, movies, and coffee, all that under one roof, well actually two. Pastries, sandwiches, salads, pies, and some more substantial plates are your options for food, a wine list that changes every month, and coffee related drinks. 

Wine

I got a macchiato as usual, strong coffee flavour, creamy, nice, a bit bitter, no latte art. 

Macchiato time

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco 

Beans: Square Mile 

Score: 4/5 

Nice coffee, great atmosphere, nothing like coffee and jazz together, and as a plus I loved their lamp. 

The lamp... lies down on Broadway?

Close up

Note reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Burning” 

George: I had them, Jerry, they loved me 

Jerry: And then? 

George: I lost them. I can usually come up with one good comment during a meeting but by the end it's buried under a pile of gaffs and bad puns 

Jerry: Showmanship, George. When you hit that high note, you say goodnight and walk off 

George: I can't just leave 

Jerry: That's the way they do it in Vegas 

George: You never played Vegas 

Jerry: I hear things

Notes

T: 020 7240 0424

Coffeehouse

Area: Trafalgar Square

Borough: City of Westminster

Twitter: NotesTrafSq

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The Coffee Inquiry VIII: Milkbar

The sister place from Flat White is no other than Milk Bar, opened in May 2008, quite close to Flat White to be honest, same mission and values, bring to London the refined artisan and independent coffee shops you can easily find in Australia.

The place

As its other venue the style and decor goes pretty well with the area, ever changing art gives you a refresh when you visit the place in different opportunities, dark oak colours, contrasting white walls, alternative music, all day breakfast, some sweet treats, breads, milkshakes, and the coffee using the Square Mile roasters blend from El Salvador, Brazil, and Sumatra.

Inside

I ordered a flat white, nice a bit mild with a milky flavour, I usually like with a more powerful shot from the coffee, nice latte art, which indicates a well trained baristas.

Latte art

Flat White time

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco

Beans: Square Mile

Score: 4/5

The machine

Satellite view

Milk reminds me the Seinfeld episode "The Secret Code"

Peterman: Momma. Just talk to her George. The doctor seems to think it helps

George: Hi. I really should be getting back to my fiancé, you know, we had this big fight yesterday and, well she, she wants to know my secret code. I don't know, I can't tell her. The funny thing is, you know, I would really love to tell someone because it's killing me. You want to know what it is? It's Bosco. You know, the chocolate syrup? I love that stuff, I pour it in milk, it's my favorite drink. Hoo-hoo, boy, that is a relief!

Mrs. Peterman: Bosco, Bosco

George: Oh, shhh

Mrs. Peterman: Bosco!

Peterman: Momma?

George: Quiet, quiet! It's a secret

Mrs. Peterman: Bosco! Bosco! Bosco!

George: Shut up! Shut up!

Peterman: Momma! What are you trying to say?

Mrs. Peterman: Bosco

Peterman: She's gone. Bosco?

Milk Bar

T: 020 7287 4796

Coffeehouse

Area: Soho

Borough: City of Westminster

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The Coffee Inquiry VII: Notes - Covent Garden

Two locations in London, opened in November 2010, with a concept of music, films, food, and of course coffee. Similar to other coffee shops their menu is simple, pastries, muffins, sweet treats, sandwiches, salads, and a bit more complex at night. You have also option to have a glass of wine or a beer. In Notes you will find a mix between trained baristas, selected beans, and the necessary equipment including a reverse osmosis water flittering system to provide top quality in their coffees.

Notes

Number 36

Sweet treats

Menu

Simple décor, wood tables, Spuntino style lamps, relax yet simple atmosphere. Ordered a macchiato and a banana bread. Nice coffee strong as expected from a Square Mile house blend, nice latte art detail. The banana bread great, it’s difficult to go wrong with it. 

Macchiato

Coffee time

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco 

Beans: Square Mile 

Score: 4/5 

Machine

Latte art

A different kind of note reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Note” 

Jerry: I told you

George: Told me what?

Jerry: I told you we shouldn't do it

George: He didn't say anything

Jerry: He's got a house, a family, they could take away his license. You should have heard him. Three notes, how stupid was that? We never should have got three notes

Elaine: Three notes?

Jerry: Yeah, you, me and George

Elaine: You got me a note?

Jerry: Yeah

Elaine: But I got my own note

Jerry: You what?

Elaine: I got a note from my gynaecologist

Jerry: Why'd you do that?

Elaine: I didn't know you were getting me a note

Jerry: Of course I was getting you a note

Elaine: But you didn't say anything

Jerry: Neither did you, that's how he got caught. We sent in four notes from two doctors

Kramer: How can you do that to your friend? He's got a wife, kids, and a lot of other stuff. Oh, yeah

Notes

T: 020 7240 7899

Coffeehouse

Area: Covent Garden

Borough: City of Westminster

Twitter: NotesCoventGdn

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