Coffee Breakdown

I drink several different kinds of coffee and people always ask me what's the difference between this one and that one...  I found this chart so I thought I'd share just in case you were wondering too:

MMC: Fleet River Bakery

MMC: Fleet River Bakery

Fleet River Bakery

located just around the corner from Holborn station was the latest MMC crew coffee stop.

The word "bakery" is in its name so I thought there would be bakery item after bakery item lining the walls. However, that was not the case.  There were a few cakes, a few muffins, some granola with yogurt options, but nothing too grand to warrant the name "bakery".

That being said the piece of cake I ate was pretty tasty, the granola with yogurt that my friend got was also a hit.  Coffee's were pretty tasty as well.  My jeans even got a taste of flat white after a lady bumped into me walking down the steps... oops! No worries though, I wasn't burned and the lady quickly replaced my flat white, however, never said Sorry... oh well... I guess it was the coffee replacement that really mattered.

Will I go back? Maybe, maybe not... Maybe they were just having an off day when I visited?

The upside was I got to hang with my MMC gals and enjoy some great conversation.

The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen

The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen

Our most recent Monday Morning coffee was at the lovely Serpentine Bar and Kitchen located in Hyde Park (near Hyde Park corner) right on the Serpentine (water).

It was a sunny day so this was an ideal location for "MMC".  They have a huge selection of food items for take-away or eat in as well as a large selection of teas, coffee, and hot chocolates.  You can eat inside or outside...whatever your heart desires...  The prices are fair and the people are actually quite nice.

Would I go back? Totally
Was the coffee good? Yes, it wasn't the best I ever had, but it definitely wasn't the worst either
Was the tea good? My friend who is not even a tea drinker said he loved the tea.

Here are a few pictures of the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen for you to enjoy:

inside Serpentine Bar and Kitchen

Hyde Park

Earl Grey at Serpentine Bar and Kitchen.

By the way, 

if you don't already know the McCooey's are on their way back home from China today!!  

I can't wait to share the trip with you guys! 

Cow and Coffee Bean Shop

We went for a walk in Regents Park for the first time (yes, I know, shame on us for waiting so long...) and I spotted this little hidden jewel "Cow and Coffee Bean".  I cant wait to go back and try out their coffee and other goodies. It is adorable! Maybe a future Monday Morning Coffee spot?

Off Chester Road Regents Park, London NW1 4NU - 020 7224 3872

The Muffin Man

I recently checked out the Muffin Man at 12 Wrights Lane, London W8 7TA (High Street Kensington Tube)

From the outside it looks cute enough. I step in and it is seriously outdated.  I felt like I had either stepped back in time or I showed up 40 years too soon.

For a place to be called "The Muffin Man" I expected more... well... ya know... to see MUFFINS... There were roughly 6 Muffin options maybe? It was hard to tell because I had to look through this foggy tupperware container to peek in at the muffins. I kindda found the old school tupperware funny.

Then I realized they only took cash... so off to the ATM...

Came back and I ordered a decaf capp and poached eggs on "brown" toast.
My friend ordered tea and the world's TINIEST SCONE. I have never seen such a small scone. It made me laugh out loud.

Was it tasty? Yes.
Were the prices good? Yeah
Would I go back? Maybe... just because I live so close... No other reason.
What would I change if I were them? The "tips not includes bucket" by the register. Those things really annoy me. If you want a tip, how about adding more service to the experience... like check to see if we want anything else ?  Or asking how was everything during our meal?  This is one of those places were when you are done you go to the register to pay...
What did the waitstaff do? Took our order and brought our food. The end.  No more than a bartender does when you go to the pub and you don't tip them in this country??

Anyways... I have no problem tipping when there is a reason and in this case I see no reason.  However, my friend paid before I did and she put money in and so I then felt obligated... so I threw in a £1... I was having a weak moment what can I say...

Now let's get to the food picture:

Taylor St. Barista's

I'm going to steal my friend Jessica's blog post about coffee this week... However, I will add my own picture.  (Thanks for the loan Jess)

http://usd2gbp.blogspot.com/2011/02/taylor-street-baristas-mmc.html

Taylor Street Baristas: MMC

Per Jessica:

Monday morning coffee had quite a crowd this morning, it was delightful to see so many faces! We were over at Taylor Street Baristas in the Bank location (easy access for everyone) which threw us right into the heart of the financial district. It was a bit tough to find as there is some construction going on and the alley it is on seems more like a corporate cut through than a place for a large coffee shop and swanky pub.

The coffee was good, however expensive, though I contribute that to the proximity of high rolling bankers in the area who believe £3.00 for a flat white is just a way of getting rid of their annoying pocket change. The very large room was continuously busy with people (mostly male) having meetings or maybe just avoiding work on a deary Monday. We were the 7 women not in blue or black suits at the rather large table in the back in case you walked by. The tables were varied, though the dark wood and eggshell walls made for a peaceful atmosphere.

I did not eat breakfast but at the table the reviews of the following were: the the ham and cheese croissant was warm and gooey, the banana chocolate muffin was big, moist and delicious and the grilled banana bread with a pad of butter was delicious despite the fact that walnuts were invading. My flat white was creamier than I like, though creamy coffee is the goal of Taylor Street, and everyone else seemed to enjoy their coffee or tea selection as I heard no complaints.

Taylor Street Baristas has six locations and uses Union Street Roasters for their beans. Taylor Street  was "Started by three Aussie siblings during a bleak London winter." They employ only baristas who have 2-3 years of experience to ensure their product is to a high standard.

Tube Station: BANK

Taylor Street Baristas
125 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1AR
Underground: Bank or Liverpool Street