I remember being in Milk Bar last year when a coffee critic was sitting at the table next to me with the barista talking about the joys of the Flat White. I’m drawn back to this memory in particular because I can hear the critic berating Starbucks and the other big coffee chains for serving up coffee drowned out with too much milk. At the time (as you can see by my last post) I thought that chains like this would never embrace the Flat White over here because it was almost unheard of.
Yesterday, I walked into my local Starbucks on my way to work and lo and behold: they are “Introducing” the Flat White. Of course, I ordered this right away to go and they told me that it wasn’t meant to be taken away… I just nodded sagely. I’ve had take away Flat Whites for the longest time, why do Starbucks think they know better? Needless to say, it was better than I had expected. This does come down to who makes the drink in the end, but the person making mine took extra time to fold in the milk and was careful not to over froth the top and turn it in to a latte. I’m impressed that Starbucks look to be changing their ways and offering more choice over all the Venti Mocha Locha Lattes that they have prided themselves in for so long.
Dude. Like your site! i’m also a Flat White addict and I can tell you that independent cafe’s selling Flat Whites are multiplying rapidly in London!!! Forget he Starbucks and Costa ‘efforts’ as they are simply poor in the main. Apart from Flat White and Milkbar which you mention, check out these places:
1. Climpson on Broadway Market, London Fields.
2. Dose Espresso on Long Lane, Smithfields Market.
3. Nude on Hanbury Street, near Spitalfields.
4. Ginger and White in Hampstead.
5. Tina, We Salute You on King Henry’s Walk, near Newington Green/Dalston.
6. Lantana, Charlotte Place Fitzrovia.
7. The Old Shoreditch Station, Old St/kingsland Road.
8. Coffee stall on Whitecross Street Market.
It’s all good. Enjoy!!!
Hey – great blog. At the risk of shamelessly promoting my own blog, I thought you may be interested in my coffee related posts which also include my “Central London Coffee Survival Guide Map” which might give you some new venues to try:
http://londonrobstuff.blogspot.com/search/label/coffee
Long live the flattie!
I love LOVE flat white too!! YUM!