Getting the skinny (latte?) on Paris' "actually good for their coffees" cafés.
Since moving away from home back in 2010 and having the grand opportunity of working nearby One Tree Coffee in Newcastle, Australia, I have ALWAYS wanted to scope out good coffee and, of course, friendly service.
After an interview for a new café opening here in Paris at the end of the month, it got me really thinking about what makes a great café. And it all comes down to the way the café allows it's customer to enjoy a cup. The setting, the beans, the styles of brew, the seating and dining facilities and the attentiveness to an individual's needs. Most of my favourite cafés back home have this down-pat - and so I am on the trawl this week for what different cafés have to offer here in my new home.
1. Kooka Boora - 62 Rue des Martyrs - ⓜ Pigalle
Photos c/o Scott Dier
Hidden off boulevard Rochechouart down Rue des Martyrs is a gorgeous array of small shops, boutiques, and restaurants and what may be my new favourite go-to place when I want to hide away from the bad weather that Paris seems to be currently blessing us with. Kooka Boora (known as "K B" by the locals and those with accents that don't quite get the name) is a little café squeezed into the corner of a place. With it's soft lighting and industrial style wooden tables, they serve up a selection of fresh juices (you may find yourself tripping over boxes of fresh produce on the way through to your seat), incredible hot chocolates (dit "chocolat chaud"), delightful sweets like cream tea and banana bread and FINALLY a legitimate, real Australian-style café latte.
The service is friendly - English friendly! And it is a homely, gathering-friendly place too. Take a bit of time out and go indulge in some honeset food and honest good company with friends, strangers, and staff.
2. Café Pinson - 6 Rue du Forez - ⓜ Temple
Photos c/o Philippe Levy
This little gem I came across today en train de flâner autour la cité (in the midst of wandering aimlessly around the city - I'm so french you could stick a pinecone up my ass and I wouldn't notice). It is agorgeously styled, homely café nearby Temple tucked away down a tiny alley way. The kitchen is open view, and everything is bio, organic, vegetarian etc. Bless!
I paid 4 euros for a cup of coffee - that's pretty standard here in Paris but what's noteworthy is that it was a) a LATTÉ and b) made with almond milk! It was delicious and healthy and perked me up just as I needed. The open-buffet style case of delicious sweet and savoury delights will have you salivating till you slip over in your own drool and even if you don't have the munchies you will need to make room because you won't be disappointed by what they serve.
They accommodate all types of customers here - those needing a quick fix (à emporter) or a stay in, chill out, get over your hangover, meet friends, work on your blogging type stay (sur place). Thumbs up for this little delight of a café.
