Not Just Coffee is a cafe that proudly opened up shop on the 26th of November on the Paddington side of Oxford Street. Tucked off in a neat little alleyway,
Not Just Coffee seems like the perfect place to duck away from all the hustle and bustle of the main road to enjoy a well deserved late weekend brunch. Well, that's how I felt anyway when I first stepped into the place.
Great Promise for New Cafe
Greeted by a colourful chalk sign proclaiming the 'opening of a new cafe' by the main road, I strolled in to be greeted by friendly staff and a nice little courtyard. In the corner, I admired the quaint use of red cushions atop wooden crates as chairs, as well as the contrasting homely feel of the upstairs area, complete with couches and hanging artworks of featuring artists.
The elevated area facing the courtyard and upstairs area doubled as a stage, and that's exactly what it was used for on this day. Siting down to some evoking but relaxing live acoustic music, I ordered myself a standard cappuccino and a
'21st century chicken sandwich', and let myself soak in the atmosphere. Although quite humbly named, I felt the sandwich was sure to become a cafe signature. A twist on the typical chicken avocado combination, the sandwich stood out with its interesting selection of italian ciabatta bread and homemade herbed aoili, which gave it a freshness and crisp, rich flavour that complimented the core ingredients so well.
The music was indeed a great addition that added to the charisma of the cafe. The day featured local artists
Lost on Record and
Lois Mares, which featured alluring vocal loops and rustic Joni Mitchell-esque undertones.
Looking around, I noticed that the cold beverages had brandished quirky red and white twirl-patterned straws with paper moustaches on them, which I think summed up the vibe of the place for me: professional, yet homely enough to have a bit of engaging fun with its customers. I've heard from a friend that 50% of cafes close within their first five years of opening. For the sake of Paddington, I sure hope this one stays. And hopefully it will bring more music and visiting artist exhibitions to the blissful air of Paddington.
Rating: four out of five handlebar moustaches.
