Eat & Drink
Originally published on Thursday, 22nd January 2009
Albion
Trendy cafe/delis can often be disappointing. Tempting you in with shelves of prettily packaged goodies, half of which, you realise on closer inspection, are out of date, and stacks of panini and pastries that were freshly-made last week. With a Conran caff, on the other hand, you know you're in for a quality experience.
Albion, the ground floor 'Caff & Shop' part of Sir Terence's ambitious new Boundary venture, is warm, light and welcoming, with the smell of freshly-baked treats wafting through from the kitchens to greet you and caff staples like HP Sauce and ketchup on the tables.
Breakfast is available all day, with fish and chips and shepherd's pie for lunch and delectable sweet stuff (the hazelnut cupcakes with buttercream icing are something else), and hot chocolate made from real chunks of chocolate, at teatime (or any time) through to midnight.
Food is served on vintage china by extremely nice staff in dapper Joe Casely-Hayford uniforms, the shop specialises in British produce and the entire building utilises rather impressive green technology.
It's been over twenty years in coming (a new private venture from Tezza that is) but the first signs are reassuringly good.
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-midnight
Place: 2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7JE
Cost: £25
Web: albioncaff.co.uk
Book: 020 8675 8613