Notes wasn’t originally on my to-do list, but several local baristas recommended me to visit here as more than 1 person has told me, they believe they carry the best Single Origin espresso (roasted by Square Smiles) currently in London. So here I was, except to find that the popular Single Origin espresso had run out and they are waiting for the roaster to replenish the stock. I didn’t come away empty handed however, as I found out something very interesting for myself during this trip.
Just a Street away from Covent Garden’s Monmouth Coffee (I).
The Borough Market branch of Monmouth Coffee (II) review is also found here.
The Music Selection playing in the Background is part of the enjoyment & reason to come to here to relax over some teas, cake and coffee -
Seems like communal tables are really thriving in anywhere else, apart from Hong Kong.
Which is ironic, considering Hong Kongers are so used to eating in Cha Chaan Tengs and sharing tables for a quick meal, but most people still reject the idea of a communal table at a café! 
Espresso of Square Miles Red Brick blend -
Made on La Marzocco Strada MP
The Pressure Profiling is operated manually by hand here. The espresso here was quite orange marmalade like with a peel astringency but slightly bitter. What I found really interesting, despite the café not serving their default espresso single origin, was how I had visited 3 separate cafes during the same day, all using exactly the same coffee blend by Square Miles, but all utilised different Espresso machines and Grinder set ups, and all 3 of them tasted just so different. I have also drank this blend in HK cafes before, and this seasonally adjusted blend tasted yet different again. 
Cortado, using also Red Brick Blend -
Similar to a Piccolo Latte, I usually only order a Cortado in Spain but I asked the barista for his opinion on how this blend can work at it’s best when combined with milk. This drink was his suggestion based on his preference! This was indeed very balanced and the silky milk cancelled out the slight signs of bitterness above. This wasn’t overly sophisticated but it was interesting enough and also very balanced, without being too earthy or roasty or 1 dimensional for the beans terroir, it is definitely right up there stuff! Could drink this on a daily basis. ~ 8/10
Coffees Here were excellent -
The combination of the machines and barista,
made it taste quite different from 2 other cafes using different machine set ups, even when extracting from exactly the same coffee blend. It is like opening the Pandora’s Box, and you have got to eliminate the variables one by one to work out how it all works out in the end! A great café and personally, also an educational visit for myself!
Price: British Pounds £6,50
Ease of Access – 4/5
Coffee: ♕♕♕♕♕ - ♕♕♕♕♕ 1/2
Opening Hours -
Mon - Tue: 08:00-22:00
Wed - Fri: 08:00-23:00
Sat: 09:00-23:00
Sun: 10:00-18:00
Address: 31 St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, West End, London WC2N 4BE
Ph: 020 7240 7899
very nice place!
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