Espresso Bar
Photo: courtesy of the cafe
Visitors to the British Library in Euston can now grab a superior cup of joe between book-browsing marathons. Oliver Peyton has just opened Espresso Bar there, serving churros, cakes, sandwiches and 21 varieties of coffee under £2 (Monday–Friday 8 AM–7 PM, Saturday 10 AM–7 PM, Sunday 11 AM–6 PM). Meanwhile, Cocomaya has finally opened a much anticipated cafe extension to its established chocolate shop. Described as a boutique bakery, it's owned by celebrated designers and fashionistas Walid Al Damirij, Joel Bernstein (former head of concept at Liberty) and Serena Rees (founder of Agent Provocateur). Its selection includes allergy-free items, and also features artisan bread, flourless orange cake and Gorgonzola and pear savoury biscuits (12 Connaught St., W2 2AF; Monday–Friday 7 AM–7 PM; Saturday 8 AM–7 PM; Sunday 9 AM–6 PM 020-7706-2770).
– Roger Clarke