http://merrills.tumblr.com/post/750543101/29-june-2010

Luke

The quality of coffee praised in so many articles, the whole coolness-alternativeness factor, and the community feel of it made me want to come as soon as possible. The WBC was a perfect opportunity.

I was very curious about how Square Mile coffee tasted when really delivered as it should be. I was already a subscriber and experimented a little with a v60, a mokapot, and a little bit with espresso. But I felt that I have sensed a hint of the potential, but not what it could be.

So I went to see. And what can I say, my expectations were high, but they were all fulfilled.

The espressos I had in Flat White, Dose, Prufrock, TOBL simply put a smile on my face, because I now knew: it’s true. :) All the fancy stuff (juicy marmelade hazelnut whatever?! yeah right!) written on the coffee bags: it’s true. While I was having the coffees I felt like calling someone long distance to tell them about the coffee I am having, but that would have been silly. The cappuccinos, Flat Whites, cortados and Gibraltars (including at Nude, Tina We Salute You, and also the WBC brew bar!) where wonderfully crafted and delicious.

And Penny University topped it all with it’s intimate coffee theatre, and yes, I too felt “I should do this back home”.

The people behind the bars, and around them were so open, friendly. The community feeling, the scene-ness is all there. Now topped with the international thing, I was hopping between coffee bars, and meeting people from all over, from Japan and Russia to Denmark and Serbia, and Brazil, Mexico….Everybody open to chat.

With Gwilym I had the exact feeling that you’ve said about Mike: so friendly, and warm, one would think he won the WBC last year with only his charm. But no, in fact, Gwilym was the most meticulous with the coffee of all baristas I’ve met. My double shot weighed 30.8 gramms, to the satisfaction of the Mr Davies. :)

I know some of you were kind of upset about the security people at CaffeCulture, or I heard some criticism about the party place. I see what you’re saying, but for me, it was all just lovely, the whole thing, and any difficulties have absolutely no weight. Also I could not see all of the competition, but I am catching up now via the internet.

So, I am still under the effect of these caffeinated days, gripping on to my Skerton grinder, and a bag of Progreso with nostalgia. The trip has definitely reinforced the decision to start a high quality specialty coffee shop in Budapest. You are all invited to the opening, hopefully this fall!!

Thank you all!

I thought the standard was incredibly high, some of our staff watching online are reconsidering entering next year! One of my fav memories was Mike coming over to me just before he started, he asked how loud the sound system would go and instructed me to”‘really give it some” after his intro chat to the judges, I think the desired effect was achieved.

Nice to catch up, see you all soon
Darren