Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Milano





Ahhhh, my first stop in Italy. Finally I am here to experience where it all began and to see if everything they tell me about Italian coffee is true. I assure you, it is. I've tried not to go too crazy 'cause I still have weeks left to try it everywhere in Italy. However, my first espresso, sitting right in front of the Duomo, the most massive and intricately designed cathedral I've ever seen, was incredible. I was nervous the people around me may have been watching as I almost swallowed the cup once I was finished. Bellisimo!

On me second day, pretending that I was Italian, I decided that my breakfast would be a cappuccino, as real Italians do. "Buongiorno! Come Stai? Molto Bene, Grazie. Uno cappuccino, Grazie Mille" Ummmm HEAVEN. Didn't take a photo of this one ('cause then they would have known I wasn't Italian) but it was pretty, and smooth and perfect temperature and I suspect not even the best of the best in this country. I paid and left with a big grin on my face... "Ciao Ciao, Grazie"

After a stroll in the park and an hour or two long snooze in the sun. I decided it was time to test the Italians on their cold cofffe.... yeesh how stupid was I! This was by far the most delicious iced coffee I've ever had (shh don't tell the Greeks, I still love their cappuccino freddo). Sweet and strong and shaken on ice, served in a champagne glass while I sit in the sun. Honestly, I'm happy in la dolce vita!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Fernandez and Wells





This place is amazing. It is so stylish and just perfectly presented. And the coffee is AMAZING. It is rather expensive, but when you see whats going on in this joint its all worth it. The piccolo latte is featured here and what a joy it is to see. Everything is designed with intention here and I like that. Fernandez and Wells currently has 3 venues in London, a Food and Wine bar, a Cafe and the Espresso Bar that I find myself in today. I must must must see the other two if this is any indication of the quality I may find. Fernandez and Wells only uses full cream milk, and I have no arguments there. It's delicious and creamy and the strong coffee sits perfectly in the centre of my tongue. They really have it bang on here. They also serve organic soups made on site, organic luscombe drinks and delicious freshly carved meats for sandwiches. And the afternoon treats are not to be ignored either. This Espresso bar is very pleasing on the eye and leaps and bounds beyond anything else I have seen in London to date. Located in a small lane on St Anne's Court it attracts the sneaky passers by and those that know they are there. Full of Australians and Kiwi's again although this time run by a very enthusiastic English man who has a definite passion for his job and for coffee. Really great strong coffee, good tunes, warm atmosphere, great food and wonderful people, in the heart of London, really this is quite a gem.