I deliberately annoy people by saying that Hampstead is my spiritual home, so it’s no surprise that I’ve been in many a bean-hole here in the last X years. Waterstone’s has been on the High Street as long as my memory serves but the café is a recent addition located upstairs at one end of the building. I’ve been up here a few times in the past for book readings; one by David Baddiel where I met dour Scottish Jew comic Arnold Brown. ‘Can I take you photo?’ I asked him ‘Why?’ he replied. I said ‘Fair enough’ and walked away, not really bothered either way. He looked a bit forlorn but then doesn’t he always?
Any road up, the staff behind the green metro-tiled counter were friendly enough. One girl (resembling a butch Rebecca Adlington) was fantastic; when there was no queue she entertained friends with what seems to be lesbo gossip about K.D. Lang*. Soon after, a mothery type (possible ‘L’) turned up to flirt with her but that could be my usual over-active imagination. She was probably just ordering a toasted tea-cake.
There was one (disabled) toilet which was dirty and lacked bog roll and was so bad I thought I was in a cinema bathroom. Comfort in the caff itself was a wooden chair but some more comfy leather-backed bonkets were available. Quite a nice chilled vibe of slow hip-hop flute music (WTF!) whilst my area was downlit by papery lamps. And the wifi worked well despite my table being in a ‘notspot’. The book shop and counter was the main focus for the eyes but there are a few books (surely not) and boxes of tea scattered around on shelves for your visual excitement.
Had a tea (Joe’s TeaCo) which was fine and cakes tempting but plumped for a soughdough smoked bacon toastie which although scrumptious, made me inflate like the Mr Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Clientele was predictable; studious bookish middle classes, Americians and students. Not that student’s aren’t bookish people and Americans aren’t MC. But basically there were no chavs and no dippers. So bags were safe and no need for a stab-vest so all good there.
The only turd in the punch bowl was a screaming baby mothered by someone very ethnic but to be fair she did try and shut the little fekir up. My cue to go before I say something I shouldn’t.
So here it’s Grimm on the shelves and grim in the toilets.
* Probably – though my hearing is not what it was. 🙂
Verdict: 3/5
Good: Staff, food, clientele
Bad: Toilets
Love your review – made me laugh but not sure it’s totally accurate. I mean is it a lesbian hotspot?
LikeLike
No but maybe they do Lesbian Hotpot? I would eat it anyway… 🙂
LikeLike
Betty Turpin?
LikeLike
Just found these reviews – like them but seem to be more Northern?
LikeLike
I am from the North-West but I do swan about. These reviews represent 5 mins work but are only 0.0001% of the cafes I visit!
LikeLike
I’ve seen you – you are always in a cafe somewhere!
LikeLike
I love this place when it is quiet but can be a bit of a bang fest now and again
LikeLike
Love this place – like the fact that I’m namechecked too.
LikeLike
Miss going in here but I hear it’s going to open for takeaway? Not sure as you’d have to go up the stairs now. Damned Covid.
LikeLike
Love it, miss it 😦
LikeLike
Love this cafe and dearly miss it I’m afraid. Keep safe bubbas, mumma’s gonna be there soon x
LikeLike
A good bookshop with a decent cafe – think your review is very good actually. Keep up the good work all of you !!!! :)))
LikeLike
As a comic, I love your style of writing – you should do more with it! Do you have a website or anything?
LikeLike
A good cafe over an good but overpriced shop. Great staff as you say and think your review is funny and accurate.
LikeLike
I think this cafe has gone a bit downhill recently so I’ve not been in since Covid but the cafes in this area are more cramped so it’s not such a bad place after all.
LikeLike
Is this place still open?
LikeLike
Place has gone downhill so not been in for a while but was a good place for a coffee and browse xx
LikeLike
Can get busy and coffee average
LikeLike
If it is quiet then it is a nice spot. Pick your times and all is fine. I am a poet :))))
LikeLike
Visited from the USA and love this place – so delightful and glad to spend my $$ there! xx
LikeLike
I am from Romania and have a look at the books when in London. Coffee is good no complaints from me I think
LikeLike
What’s up mates, nice paragraph and pleasant arguments commented at this place, I am genuinely enjoying by these.
LikeLike
If you desire to improve your knowledge just keep visiting this website and be updated with the most
up-to-date news posted here.
LikeLike
Thankfulness to my father who shared with me concerning this web site, this web site
is genuinely awesome.
LikeLike
Wonderful blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the
same topics discussed here? I’d really love to be a part of group where
I can get comments from other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate
it!
LikeLike
Heyy there! I’m at wwork surffing around your blog from my new apple iphone!
Jusst wanted to ssay I lov readng your blkog and look forward to
alll youyr posts! Keep up the superb work!
LikeLike