The Baristacrat

I decided to take a staycation for the week and visit some cafe’s that are only open Monday to Friday for the business crowd. Cue Alchemy Coffee, a cafe located in the City of London, close to St Paul’s Underground Station. Let me start off by saying these guys really know their shit! Talk to any of the staff and they will be able to advise you on the different types of coffee, and what makes them special. Alchemy Coffee is a tiny little shop located on a corner of a quiet cobbled street in the City of London. I had arrived a little after the rush hour, but I imagine this place would be more suited for a takeaway on the way to the office, rather than a sit-in for a lengthy session. There isn’t any table space for seating, but they do have side benches facing out the window, It would be a little awkward for larger groups, but ideal for an intimate coffee. Due to its location it draws in the business crowd. I was the only person in jeans and a t-shirt. The thing that impres

I first discovered   3FE   while doing some research on coffee in Dublin. I came across an interesting article on   another coffee blog , about an investment banker turned award winning barista, and his coffee shop   Third Floor Espresso . After chatting to my local friends, I soon realised that this guy had already made an impact on the coffee scene, and everyone had heard of him, duh! I’m from out of town, how was I to know? Anyway, I decided I had to check it out. 3FE   moved out of it’s old home at the   Twisted Pepper , making room for   Vice Coffee Inc.   and into its new location in the Docklands of Dublin. The cafe is very modern, and alternative. Most of the furniture is made from metal piping and slabs of exposed wood. The cafe itself is completely white with red power cables running across the ceiling, occasionally hanging down with lampshades for lighting. Each of the tables had a small jar of jam, for those ordering breakfast, which I thought was a nice touch.

I went to catch up with an old work friend from my Sydney days. He’s a local Parisian, so he knows where to get the good coffee. He recommended a place called 10 Belles, again near Canal Saint Martin. It seems I spent a lot of time around there. I guess it is just a popular place. Word on the street is the owner on 10 Belles spent some time in Sydney and has a coffee shop in Surry Hills. 10 Belles is quite a cool little coffee shop. They have made the best of the space they have by using collapsable stools for seating. They can unpack them and use as needed. The counter has a selection of cakes and biscuits, and there is a menu if you’d rather order something from the kitchen. We ordered the Sausage Roll, which I haven’t had since I lived in Australia, and the Banana Bread for dessert. In my time in Paris I never quite figured out the coffee situation. You can order the same thing at different places, and get something completely different. It seems that the Flat White,