Yesterday, second day open.
I was disappointed my cappuccino.
Excellent range of tea. Very precise brewing , temperature of water, weight of tea, time to brew.
A row of cold brew towers on the back shelf.
Not yet fully operational, only second day open.
A cluster of three excellent coffee shops just off Ermou:
– Just Made 33
– In Love Again
– Tailor Made
In Love Again never usually busy. Today packed.
An exquisite dessert and a cappuccino.
I first visited In Love Again a couple of years ago with a friend. Again a couple of times last year.
Today, following a visit to Wisecup, I decided, Metro to Syntagma, walk down Ermou to In Love Again.
I was looking forward to one of their desserts.
They describe as pastries, which is misleading, as they are not pastries, although I cannot describe what they are as I have never encountered anything like. All I can say is, very delicate.
Today, caramelised pear, wrapped with a thin layer of white chocolate on what is like a cheesecake base. What is inside I have no idea, and they won’t tell me. Topped with 18ct gold leaf.
First, I was hungry, focaccia, followed by a dessert, followed by a cappuccino. The coffee a single origin from Colombia from Taf.
On leaving, I picked up Fine No 4. Last year I picked up no 2 and no 5.
In Love Again closes at eight but remains open until eleven.
In Love Again is opposite Baba au Rum, a cocktail bar.
Late night, espresso martini at Just Made 33.
I would have preferred a coffee liqueur but did not fancy what was available.
I miss the local coffee liqueur in Cyprus.
I had stopped at Cocona and had a bite to eat, then food and drink at a private party at Merlin Cafe.
I decided to skip dinner, have coffee and one if their delicious looking cakes at In Love Again.
No coffee, a private function, but I could have a cake.
I could not describe the cake other than to say delicate, subtke and delicious.
I visited last year, was on my way to nearby Just Made 33, was about to close.
Again on my way to Just Made 33, thought I’d just look in, then decided to stay and have a coffee.
Contemptirary design, coffee sourced from taf.
High on the shelves, out of reach, Fine. Could I have a look? No. Why should I buy something I cannot read? With the reluctance, one brought down from the shelves.
My reason for staying, was to browse Fine.
In the style of Standart, but bar culture and cocktails not coffee culture
I am looking at the shelves. Owner walks in, would I like to read, see I have a copy, and says I can keep my copy.
I learn he is the editor and publisher.
Later I think, I should have asked him to sign his editorial.
Coffee shop closing early due to an event. I am invited.
Three cocktails. Are they discussing, maybe a teach in. No, ready mix cocktails in bottles. I don’t see the point.
to be continued
Three weeks ago Wednesday I chanced up Crop Roastery, a little kiosk I had not seen before down a side street off Ermou.
I stop and have a long chat with the guy serving. I do not have a coffee but tell him I will pop back another day and have a coffee.
I pick up Athens in a Cup, not as I think a guide to coffee shops in Athens, a flyer for an app that is a guide.
The following day, walking through Ermou, having found Just Made 33 and Peek a Bloom closed, I decide to stop by, have a coffee and continue our conversation.
Disappointed to find the knowledgeable guy his day off, nevertheless I stop and have a coffee.
Disappointed, a not very good coffee.
Being a kiosk, not affected by closure of bars, restaurants and coffee shops earlier in the week. When I pass by a few days later, Athens in lockdown, I find Ermou deserted and Crop closed.
Three weeks ago Thursday, walking through Ermou, people queuing for sales, stock clearance before lockdown, and traditional this time of year, I spot a sign for a massage, Massage House.
After my hike up Lycabettus Hill a massage just what I need. I check it out.
Ride the lift to floors six and seven, what it says on the lift, nada, walk down to floor five which is what it says on the sign outside.
Nothing available, return at 1845, in forty-five minutes time.
I use the loo. One dirty black towel, how long has it been there, how many people used, raises questions the establishment and their lack of covid-19 biosecurity.
Raise, but get nowhere. Dealing with a very rough character who claims to be in charge. Very unpleasant attitude.
Coffee at Just Made 33 only closed. Try Peek a Bloom, closed
Return in forty-five minutes. By the time I check out Just Made 33 and Peek a Bloom too late.
I decided not worth returning as lack of covid-19 biosecurity raises serious questions in a massage parlour.
Too cheap, 20€ for an hour, 15€ for forty-five minutes.
I also notice touting for businesses on the street, dragging people in off the street.
Covid-19 biosecurity very poor. A dirty black towel in the toilets, used how many times by how many people, serious covid-19 risk. Raises big questions the entire outfit.
Three weeks ago, wandering through the streets of Athens to see what was open.
Tuesday, the day before, all restaurants bars and coffee shops ordered to close. They could serve takeaway if chose to do so.
Just Made 33, open for food and coffee take away only.
Can sit on a wall outside with a takeaway coffee but cannot sit at a table outside. Inside people waiting to order a coffee, if tables outside would be socially distanced served by a waitress. Not that tables outside would be possible due to a hole in the street. There was a hole in the street last year. I inquire of a lady taking notes. An ancient wall has been unearthed. It is being documented then the hole carefully infilled.
I had looked in Just Made 33 on my way to Exarchia Square.
I was pleased to find open and had a brief chat with the owner.
I had passed by several times and not found open. Closed as I suspected, digging up the street outside, Sunday a respite.
On my return from Exarchia Square I managed to find Just Made 33, but owner not there.
Staff have always been pleasant and friendly, service good. Not today. Miserable to the point of being rude, service poor, a not very pleasant atmosphere.
I watched the barista. Not a clue on pouring a V60, though no problem with my cappuccino.
Late afternoon, even before sun has set turning cold.
Keithpp's Blog 