feb, 20th - concrete cafe....

day 1100 / 199:

the concrete cafe (which is also a bar although at this stage i experience it more as a cafe) is part of the Hayward Gallery and a stylish spot to grab a coffee......

sep, 22nd - stiffkey stores....

day 952 / 51:

Stiffkey Stores, The Old Coach House, Wells Road, Stiffkey (01328 830489)

on our way to the Long House {see day 949/ 48} we passed a building with a courtyard outside, strewn in bunting flapping in the breeze over tables and chairs and a sign that said - Stiffkey Stores. it certainly captured our attention so on the first morning, we went to take a look.

Stiffkey Stores is a cafe, plus delicatessan, plus quirky gift store, plus interiors store {see day 948 / 47}, plus local groceries store and surprisingly, it's even the local post office. it's the creation of a young couple who moved cross-country to set up this charming shop. it certainly has the feeling of something that has been lavished with attention and dedication. outside, they have even installed two beach huts with tables inside (i guess for those less sunny days). as I said on day 931 / 30, when we're on holiday, we always feel a little happier when we find a place that does great coffee....and their candy-striped cups and delicious pastries were an added bonus.  

we loved it so much that we visited it four times in two days.......i really wish that all villages had a Stiffkey Store....it would make travelling so much more enjoyable.

mar, 25th - weekend ritual....

day 779:

my mum is visiting and we made it back to this place today. Limi had her weekend ritual of babycinno and weekend toast (a croissant). she's a big fan.

the breakfast was a good as last week......i did warn you. and walking back through the streets, we were showered with spring blossom petals.....could this sunny weather be here to stay?

i hope your weekend was just as lovely. x

[this look is purely, 'why do you still have that camera in my face?']

feb, 1st - exeter street bakery....

day 700:

this tiny spot in Kensington is the shop for Exeter Bakery, an Italian wholesale bakery. they sell authentic bread, pastries, foccaccias, pizza slices and of course, the most delicious coffee. in Summer, you can sit on the pavement and enjoy the fresh air and in Winter, you perch at the window and steam up the windows.

it's always a treat when we find ourselves in the area.

jan, 3rd - haas collective....

day 671:

breakfast is always worth some effort in Cape Town, it's a town that takes its' coffee fairly seriously (a friend of a friend's coffee blog) and new places spring up all the time looking to attract the meeting-over-a-coffee entrepreneurs that seem to make up much of the city's population. we always look to Loula {see day 437} to point us in the right direction of what's new and inspiring. 

i'm not sure that Haas is that new but it's not a place that I've tried before....... Haas is the Afrikaan's word for hare/rabbit.......and this place definitely has a bit of the pull-the-rabbit-out-of-the-hat magic about it. It may be the tophats that the waitstaff wear or the oversized chairs that made me think of Alice in Wonderland.....although it is certainly the collection of beautiful objects and art that create a gallery space within the lounge area. 

i had a red cappucino (which is made with local rooibos herbal tea) and a baked egg and tomato flatbread followed by a browse of the wares. loved the space, the staff and sheltering from the belting rain outside. 

Haas is definitely one to keep in mind for next time, especially after I found out that these buck hooks came from there. 

jan, 22nd - the early hours....

day 343:

early mornings mean that we get to the local coffee shop before everyone else......

although, maybe this baby should have slept a little longer.