A really capable café in my opinion is one that can keep up with the latest trends and also predicting this and beyond, at least mentally prepared to be staying ahead of it’s game. But most importantly? It should also taste great for most people coming in through the door, and that is where the trouble can begin. Coffee enthusiasts, Coffee connoisseurs, Coffee addicts and those who might be somewhere in between, might all have their own preferences. Prufrock excels in that it knows of this unspoken rule and preaches it, mastering all coffee styles to satisfy most of its customers. Another 2 recent visits to their newer branch of Prufrock Coffee outlet (previous review is at Prufrock (I)) was almost another perfect encounter. *This is only one of 2 Cafes in the world I have given a perfect 6 out of 6 scores so far. There is another one I haven’t posted that is equally worth being celebrated though.
;
La Marzocco x Kees van Der Westen ‘Spirit’ -
One of only 2 available in the world as of this visit.
Mecca Espresso (Sydney, Australia) is also operating on similar equipment and Mecca’s newer shop also spots a Spirit. Talk about exclusivity.
The Ready Made pastries -
Looked pretty neat and decent.
Roasting Machine and UK Brewing Champion Trophies -
A lot of World or National UK champions working and roasting for Prufrock.
Espresso #1 – Red Brick ‘May 2012’ Blend, by Square Miles -
This blend is seasonally adjusted, and as of my visit has already been reblended in June 2012. The cup here tasted very different to all previous encounters and also 2 other London Cafes I tried on the same day, the latter was unexpected. This was easily the most complex but balanced cup, with cherries, butterscotch and marmalade note and just a hint of grounded spice. Something along that line but it has a long long finish.. Amazing stuff!!
Cappuccino – Red Brick Blend May 2012
A lot of cafes can’t seem to get both Milk Coffees and Espressi to work during the same time. They either roast it more geared towards 1 style or another, or sometimes somewhere in between too much. Not here!! Out came another perfectly sophisticated Cappuccino which was soooo good, I would happily drink this for the rest of my life!! Melbourne’s Proud Mary Cafe can be nearly perfect on certain days too, but calculating on an average, I’m afraid I have to give the gong to Prufrock as I have never yet had an off coffee here over the last 3 visits spanning over 2 years!
Espresso #2 -
You wouldn’t believe it if I say this, but this shot tasted even more amazing than the above, already perfect enough shot! Crazy! 
A Raspberry Tart -
Only 2.30 Pounds a slice. Looks neat, doesn’t it.
James Bailey, a very Friendly but Knowledgeable UK Brewing Champion 2012 -
And he has 2009 World Barista Champion Gwilym Davies backing him up,
and James Hoffman 2007 World Barista Champion 2007 roasting coffees and in theories.
James, is Aero Pressing the Colombia Bella Vista for me -
James has his own way of brewing coffee, whether by Aeropress or Siphon. Apparently they do a lot of theoretical work both in-house and testing with the roaster. It really showed in the cup, with a strong Redcurrant and Apple note in the nose and followed up by a complex fruitiness in the mouth feel. With a slightly almond note. Quite clean and loveable. Some baristas think Square Miles all taste similar in style. But Prufrock make Square Miles in their own range of styles too.
Ice Coffee of another Colombian Single Origin -
This is not an ice drip, but uses another quicker brewing method before it is diluted slightly to give it its present outcome. Very nice cold coffee! Very clean, very concentrated sweet acidity and so Summery ~ none of the often very menthol like, herbal and alcoholic note associated with slow ice dripped coffee. This is like a cooled Tisane herbal tea in a way, it is great stuff.
Vichy Catalan mineral water from Spain -
I saw James playing with a bottle of this Spanish sparkling water, and he said he likes this water very much, just like me, as I am also a big fan. It has a very high concentration of minerals than the norm, and I caught him making some coffee sodas with this, a novel idea!
I have had some pretty Amazing Coffees in a few Places Lately -
I know some coffee lovers or even baristas, might have developed a bias towards Square Miles roasted or even Australian coffees in general for various reasons, but unfortunately, most of them are not entirely true. What really intrigued me here, was why my coffees drank here were just so utterly great but not everyone seem to be able to emulate this taste elsewhere. Not even cafes drank on the same day within London using exactly the same coffee blend, and also overseas cafes importing in this. Got to try it to believe it!! I can’t have enough of Prufrock Coffee.
Price: GBP $6 per person
Ease of Access – 3.5/5 (Mid-way between Farrington or Chancery Lane Metro Stations)
Coffee: ♕♕♕♕♕ 1/2 – ♕♕♕♕♕♕
Opening Hours -
Mon – Fri 10:30am – 18:00am
Sat 11:00am - 17:00am
Sun 11:00am - 16:00am
Address: 23-25 Leather Lane, London, EC1N 7TE
Ph: +44 20 7242 0467
Haha I knew you'd love this place:) I took a private coffee class here last week, such an eye-opener, their precision almost stretches to a point of stubbornness!
ReplyDeleteI played with a Syphon filter with Tim Wendelboe's blends... such a treat!
after reading all your london posts i really want to go europe! so jealous of your food adventures!
ReplyDelete