Monday 16 December 2013

Week beginning Decem,ber 16th - Karolina 'Special K' Malinowska

Karolina left us this week. Does that sound dramatic? It's meant to, as Karolina 'Special K' has joined a select group of staff who are qualified Kaffeine legends. Those who have worked here, made their mark, made their impression and given their time, passion and energy to the business. Those who will always be remembered.

Karolina started in October 2011 and was recruited for the now defunct Lend Lease operation that we started inside the corporate headquarters on Euston Road. Unfortunately, that business only lasted six months, but in that time Karolina became an Assistant Manager and under the close supervision of superstar barista Niall Graham, had become a very good barista herself.

Luckily, we did not have to lose any staff when we closed Lend Lease, they all integrated back into Kaffeine and it was from May 2012 to last week that Special K worked as an Assistant Manager on the floor, the machine and in the kitchen. She even helped me to lay the vinyl flooring in the vaults area.

She moves on to follow her own career path in translating and is now a 'transcreation executive' working for H and M over in Clerkenwell.

I would say that she is truly loved by not only all the staff who work here but judging by all the presents and cards she got when she left, by many of our customers as well.

We are lucky that she will still be in London and will still be able to pop in now and then for coffee and say hello, afetr all, one of her leaviung presents was a gift vioucher for a lifetime supply of Kaffeine coffee.

Well done, Karolina, you will be truly missed and your influence and commitment to Kaffeine is much appreciated.

We hope you enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.


Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Cranberries and almond 2.40
Savoury Scone: Marmite and Cheese 2.40
Cranberry friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Vegan Peanut Butter and Chocolate Biscuits 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Champagne and camembert 4.50

French retro baguettes 5.00
Ham w sage butter, red onion, pecorino and rocket
Bufala mozzarella with tomato, aioli, basil and spinach

Foccacias 5.30
Tandoori Chicken with red onion, avocado, mature cheddar and spinach
Haloumi with roasted aubergine, tomato, pesto and rocket

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Roasted turkey with cranberries, stuffing balls, pancetta, red onion jam and baby spinach
Blood orange, grapefruit, pomegranate, radishes, feta and poppy seeds
Brussels sprouts with apple cider, hazelnuts and rosemary

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Purple sprouting broccoli with cheddar cheese and flaked almonds

Weekend and Monday 23rd Salads 5.50/6.90
Salmon with roasted new potatoes, sprouting broccoli, dill, tartare sauce and baby spinach
Bufala mozzerella with tomato, avocado, chimichurri sauce, pinenuts and rocket
Green beans with chilli dressing and peanuts

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Week beginning December 9th - Jerry the Juicer (2009 - 2013)

'Oh Jerry...' 'Poor Jerry', 'Jerry behind please...' 'Can you wash Jerry please?' 'Jerry's been left in his own mess again'. Anyone who has worked here over the years will know who he is. I'm pretty sure it was "the legend that is Rhea' that named him back in August 2009.

I had searched and searched for a quality, small footspace juicer in the lead up to opening and at over £300, Jerry was a big investment. Originally he was placed on our front bench, but once winter kicked in and we started with soups and porridge, he had to be moved to make room. He was beautiful though, small, sleek, quiet, shiny, silver and he made great juice.

For the past four years he has ended up on what is known as 'Jerry's Plinth', basically the electrical cupboard against the back wall near the front. It's not ideal, but it was the only place for him.

We have calculated that in the last 2 years alone he has made 4,263 orange juices and almost 500 citron presses, so if we include the time before such records began, 2009 to 2011, he must have made over 10,000 drinks.

We had to retire Jerry this week. He was noisy, really noisy, a bit wobbly and broken in parts. Here he is. We have a newer model of the same type and he is, well dare I say it, even better than Jerry was. Much, much quieter and faster. The girls on service are much happier.

Jerry the Juicer - 2009 to 2013 - Kaffeine legend.


Please enjoy our menu this week, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Raspberries with coconut 2.40
Savoury Scone: Pommery mustard, red onion, thyme and mature cheddar 2.40
Buckthorn friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Vegan Peanut Butter and Chocolate Biscuits 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Spiced chickpea 4.50

French retro baguettes 5.00
Roasted turkey with cranberry jam, brie, spinach and red onion
Hummus with slow roasted red peppers, grated carrots, mustard cress and rocket

Foccacias 5.30
Chorizo with avocado, guacamole, tomato and spinach
Crown Prince squash with mushrooms, blue cheese and rocket

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Roasted beef with roast beetroot and parsnips, horseradish cream and spinach
Baked cranberries, orange segments, avocado, glazed walnuts, blue cheese and watercress
Chantenay carrots with honey, thyme and pumpkin seeds

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Leek and mushrooms with pecorino cheese