Coffee and Fandisha....a little hidden gem.

The beauty of my career is that creativity and adventure are both greatly encouraged in my everyday life. So, with that in mind, I often venture out into the bohemian alcove that is the Baltic Triangle for a spot of lunch. Inhabited by those afraid to conform to the formalities of normality, the most imaginative and the most curious, the Baltic Triangle is the best place for a person such as myself to while away their lunch hour. 

Yesterday, my colleague and I decided that we would embrace the cold weather and journey to the latest addition to the Baltic Triangle. Dressed snugly in our winter attire (recently recovered from the dusty depths of the wardrobe) we headed over to Coffee and Fandisha for a lunch time treat. 

Coffee: noun. A delicious hot drink made using the roasted and ground bean-like seeds of a tropical shrub. 

Fandisha: noun. Ethiopian for popcorn. Maize of a variety with hard kernels that swell up and burst open when heated. 

Located at the top of Brick Street and encompassed by the distinct graffiti of the Baltic Triangle, Coffee and Fandisha immediately diffuses warmth and a sense of homely comfort which is always so welcomed at this time of the year. Upon entering, the heavenly scent of freshly ground coffee filled our nostrils...followed by the immediate growl of our stomachs, as if they too were browsing the delightfully unique options on the menu. 

Given that I am quite a choc-a-holic, I couldn't resist ordering the 58% hot chocolate, specially made using cocoa beans from Venezuela. Of course, this wouldn't have been complete without a squirt or two of freshly whipped cream for good measure. My colleague ordered the freshly squeezed OJ with bits. We took our seats in the lovely dining area and inhaled the addictive scent of fresh coffee once more, whilst admiring the Ethiopian inspired decor. 

The grunge lights really emphasised the urban beauty of Coffee and Fandisha. 

Whilst inspired by the Ethiopian roots of the owners, the decor was minimalist and chic. Complete with pale walls, bare brickwork, bright string grunge lights and the odd quirky and colourful adornment, Coffee and Fandisha is the perfect place to go if you need time to relax during a particularly busy day. 

Some of Coffee and Fandisha's quirky, Ethiopian decor. 

The Baltic's new coffee hangout is ideal for those wanting to unwind, for those seeking inspiration and for those hunting for the perfect location for a coffee date with that special somebody. The tranquil setting also makes for a great spot for a business meeting. 

With the welcomed arrival of our drinks came Kim's explanation of the hot chocolate percentage scale. She explained that whilst many of us eat and drink chocolate regularly, we often forget what chocolate truthfully tastes like as a result of the added sugars and flavourings. 

My yummy scrummy Venezuelan hot chocolate! 

The hot chocolate was divine. Not too rich nor sweet in taste, the Venezuelan cocoa was quite simply the perfect blend, particularly combined with the velvety texture of the fresh cream. My colleague's freshly squeezed OJ with bits was really refreshing, and we both agreed that it would make for the perfect early morning wake-up drink! 

After much deliberation about the menu (torn by the choices of simply delicious-sounding foods) we were finally ready to order. I decided to go for the tuna, sweet chilli chutney and red pepper toastie, served with homemade coleslaw. My colleague (fighting a feisty winter cold) decided to order the carrot, coconut and sweet chilli soup served with homemade garlic bread. 

My delicious toastie with homemade coleslaw went down a treat. 

When the food arrived, we soon realised (much to our relief) that we had made good choices. Whilst the presentation of the dishes was simplistic (reflecting the minimalist elegance of Coffee and Fandisha) the food looked delicious, and tasted even better. I was admittedly dubious about the combination of tuna and chutney, but I was pleasantly surprised. With a meaty texture and rather sweet zest, the combination was incredible! I would have happily had seconds (please don't judge me). The homemade coleslaw - a specialty of Coffee and Fandisha - was creamy, crunchy and bursting with flavour. 

When my colleague ordered the soup, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. However, the quirky concoction quickly established itself as something I will be returning for time and time again when the cold weather sets in deeper. We also agreed that we'd discovered the perfect garlic bread; not too garlicky = no garlic breath! 

Although we were loosening our belts at this point, no lunch date is complete without a tasty treat for dessert!

Heavenly carrot cake with mascarpone icing!

Cake is my guilty pleasure. So, you can only imagine the sheer joy felt when I spotted this heavenly looking creation sat on a lovely wooden board near the till. Fresh, moist and packed with natural and wholesome ingredients, it was baked to perfection. The beautiful mascarpone frosting tasted even better than it looked! 

All in all, my colleague and I loved our Coffee and Fandisha excursion. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, were inspired by the shabby-chic decor and were impressed by the lovely, attentive staff who were on hand constantly to attend to our every need. 10/10!!

Do you have a favourite hangout for a spot of lunch? 

Lou x