It finally feels like summer
The sky is blue as blue, a half moon’s still out in this cloudless sky, sun’s blazing down upon us so fiercely – it’s just wonderful! And there are drunk idiots prancing about on the rooftop terrace, completely off their faces at 11 in the AM downing shots of Jack Daniel’s being absolutely ridiculous whilst R and I try to soak up some sun. Reading magazines and doing a bit of essay planning in peace? Impossible. Reeeediculous with a capital R.
But thanks to these trolleyed losers, we moved off to a lovelier and more chilled out spot Look Mum No Hands, a cafe-bar-workshop down on Old Street. I think it was also the first time I thanked Tesco for anything – not having a cold can of coffee which meant we could head off somewhere else, any excuse to get out in the sun and sip a frappe. A leisurely walk away from where I live and we were grooving down Old Street which suddenly looked a lot more cheerful in the sunlight. The cafe is a pretty cool one which looks very inviting with their large workshop-like doors thrown open, large windows, great big wooden tables conducive for work, laptops or just sitting about with a coffee and cake to watch some TV. There are newspapers and magazines strewn about the wooden benches outside if you fancied lazying in the sun and reading. The interiors are also thoughtfully put together to be both creative but not overly distracting if you decided to sit about and work. And oh, if you’re by the window, you’ve not only snagged prime-time spot for people-watching, you also get free wi-fi.
It’s the epitome of CHILLAX.
And the service is great. Waiting staff are chatty, friendly and eager to help. When I asked about taking photos, the dude behind the counter was like ‘yeaaa man, go ahead’. Welcome to happiness and freedom central with tall glasses of double shot espresso frappes to go. Worried about your lactose issues? They’re happy to sort you out with anything from whole to semi- to skimmed to soy. Actually, not just happy. Thrilled. The cakes, pastries and savoury tarts looked damn fine too and the same dude and I had a nice 30 second groan about how yum they looked. If we’d been hungrier or hadn’t had breakfast, I might’ve ordered one of those pastry twist thingies or a generous salad to enjoy out in the sun but I think, right now, the name of the game for me is to hold back and build up the anticipation for the next trip.
Sitting outside was like some sort of therapy. If R and I weren’t currently-in-the-process-of-recovering-from-a-hangover, I might’ve ordered a cold beer, but the frappes were a lovely touch to our sun therapy. People sitting around us were friendly looking folks too; some were here for quiet newspaper-reading time, for brunch with the kids and the dog, a chat with friends or were tired cyclists stopping by for a caffeine break. Loved the atmosphere!
This is what summertime should be like.
Happy days all round guys. With airplanes in the sky, coffee through a straw and the sickly sweet creamy smell of sunscreen. And adios again, I’ve got a deadline to meet!
May 22nd, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Yay that some drunken losers pushed u out to enjoy… and share the gorgeousness! Loved it Diva… what a great cafe, and u know I would give an arm an a leg for that frappe. Looks so good, as does the fun u had! Check out the ‘DIVA LOOK’!! Sure looks like summer is ‘there’! Great post sugah!! xoxo
May 22nd, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Lovely post full of the sunshine, leisure and frappe. What else does one need? Have a nice rest of the weekend!
May 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 pm
A lovely way to realx! Nice coffee place.
Cheers,
Rosa
May 22nd, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Hooray for summer! Looks like a great place to chill out!
May 23rd, 2010 at 1:04 am
*Sigh* Diva, we’re just about headed into Winter here. You make me want to jump on a plane north!
May 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 am
Geez, another deadline??
Anyway, you’re still using your Powershot G-series right? I’m loving the pictures. Though it made me wish you *didn’t* have breakfast!
May 24th, 2010 at 10:35 am
First of all, darling daughter, I have to say that I am mighty disappointed that you did NOT eat one of those pastry twist thingies! Ah, I could’ve enjoyed it vicariously. But good choice in the drink! And this looks the perfect joint for a summer sit, drink and chat. Perfect!
May 24th, 2010 at 11:28 am
What a gorgeous one you are! Love the look of this place – looks like my kind of cafe
May 24th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella: hop on over Lorraine. we’re at 30d celsius today being nicely seared outside and slow-cooked inside
Manggy: still the same camera yes but i have tweaked the colours when photo-editting to make me think i might’ve used a Diana mini. haha. call me a cheat. and yes, another deadline. they don’t stop coming u know! blimey.
xx
May 24th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Frappe looks inviting. What is the name of the magazine it is sitting next to? Foo….?
I like the bicycles in the coffee shop windows and walls, being one who likes to cycle (in warmer weather). We are still waiting for summer in Sacramento, you are lucky there!
May 24th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Lynn: hello dear! the magazine is an additional ‘Food’ feature to Saturday’s The Independent newspaper, not a magazine. It was one of those showing recipes for summer and all that.
yea, the bicycles are real pretty. a lovely cafe. x
May 25th, 2010 at 8:04 am
hurray for the sun! (though for me, living in S’pore means too much sun hehe)… love the cheeky photo of u.
May 25th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
The weekend was awesome wasn’t it??? Glad you managed to get some sun even though you had to do “essay planning” which sounds like a lot of un-fun. Cafe looks great too, might have to check it out one sunny day!
May 27th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Awesome photos! I love the post so much! xoxo
May 27th, 2010 at 8:06 am
This cafe has a rustic charm…should be a cosy one to spend a few hours in….just flipping/reading magazines
May 28th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
I love your posts. Makes me long to be back in England or just out and about! The photos are fab and your writing is great. I’m so glad to see you are still posting even through your busy school schedule.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Oh gosh, TAKE ME THERE!!! I’m lovin the uber retro, chillax vibe of the place. Bet it’s a major love of the summertime people.
Good luck with the deadlines!
June 9th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Darling Diva – this looks gorgeous – never heard of it and never been. Must go soon!. You were very much missed at FBC10 over the weekend. Can’t wait to catch up next w/e though – exciting!
June 15th, 2010 at 6:42 am
Ha, hasn’t this place got the coolest name ever?! I walked past it the other day and just thought ‘wow, that is so clever without sounding annoyingly clever but very sweet instead’. I didn’t realize thez were serving frappés, gotta head back there as soon as the weather takes a good turn!
x