food&drink LONG LIVE CAFÉ SOCIETY We try three local cafes to find out what makes café life so popular
Joe Devine visits Faircharm Cafe Tucked away in Creekside by Deptford Creek, provides a cheap, refreshing, and tasty lunch with an ethical, community- based sensibility. The café has a welcoming kitchen-cum-living room feel, with bookcases and sofas. All the furniture has been previously owned and reflects the sustainable ethic also seen on the menu; all the coffee is fairtrade and the food locally sourced from businesses in Deptford. They also showcase the work of a local artist on the café walls each month. The menu is broad for a small café, with
an array of sandwiches, salads and soups. I had the day’s special: a chorizo and panzanella salad, whilst my friend had a pastrami and caramelised onion panini, as well as a large coffee each. I’d never heard of panzanella before but when I asked what it was the manager was enthusiastic in telling me about one of his personal favourite dishes. It came in a very generous portion and was really tasty, the tomatoes and vinegar the bread was soaked in worked really well with chorizo, it was one of the best salads I’ve had in a long time. My friend’s panini was generously sized
too, and the fillings really complimented each other. A lot of thought has clearly been put into the menu, as well as into what the owners want the café to be for the community. When in Deptford, drop in. I highly recommend it. Lunch and coffee for two: £11.30. Faircharm, 8-12 Creekside, Deptford SE8 3DX.
Valerie Breese samples The Baguette Unoccupied shop space can really harm an area as it says more than ‘shop to let’ but it
is also true that a new café opening can swing opinion, creating the hub of a community they are an important part of day-to-day life. Offering somewhere to enjoy good, reasonably priced food, catch up on gossip with friends and in my case take part in a favourite pastime of people watching. Charlton Village has been crying out for a café that offered a place to sit and chat, a quick solution to lunch or a bite to eat for children on their way home from school. Having taken time out from the office it was an opportunity to sit and enjoy a late lunch, catching the last glimpse of sun for the day. This café has a good mix on the menu, the Italian Chicken Baguette came recommended plus a cappuccino, passing on the cherry pie only to regret it. Sitting out on the large pavement area opposite St Lukes Church was just the break I needed. With friendly staff, it’s a perfect quick stop and as the weather changes there is space inside available. £4.40 well spent. 2A, The Village, Charlton SE7.
The Baguette Pistashios Café
Becky Reetun takes lunch at Pistashios Café Situated in East Greenwich Pleasaunce, the café has a welcoming feel, the outdoor area is fantastic to take the family too, as you walk in there are picnic benches outside waiting to be sat at and soak up the sunshine. The café has a few toys out for younger ones to play with and wooden train toys with letters carved to purchase. This child-friendly café is ideal for families; across the green is a swing
Faircharm Cafe
park to occupy the older children. The food ranges from sandwiches with
a side of crisps, jacket potatoes with a good selection of fillers and chocolate fudge cake with ice cream; this was a
favourite! The food prices reflect the quality of the produce and the fact it is freshly prepared for you.
All in all, the café encourages families to take in this beautiful park and enjoy the family time they can have together, the staff are very friendly and great service too. £11.65. East Greenwich Pleasaunce, off Chevening Road, Greenwich.
NEW TO CHARLTON VILLAGE COFFEE AND SANDWICH BAR WITH SEATING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
OPEN MON-SATURDAY 7.30AM-5PM CLOSED SUNDAYS 2A THE VILLAGE l CHARLTON l SE7 8UD l TEL 0208 856 0771
- Next to the Florist-
www.meridian-magazine.co.uk 41
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POTATOES
COFFEE DESSERTS JACKET
SANDWICHES SALADS
BAGUETTES
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