Follow the London coffee aroma_a life inspiration story

When in London, it’s always good to have an extra day, just to enjoy ‘The City’. Always new hotspots to discover,  interesting new retail and inspirational little venues that we just love: almost new, just opened, evergreens and forgotten places…

During our day in Shoreditch, we found this no nonsense roastery & cafe in Redchurch Street. Following the magnificent scent of fresh roasted coffee circling in the surrounding streets brought us to Allpress. We loved the outside of the building: people sitting on some outdoor benches (like everywhere in London), an open door and a very welcoming staff smiling like as you’re a good friend.

We had a delicious breakfast: a plate with smoke salmon, avocado, some goat cheese, very tasty cherry tomatoes, 2 slices of roasted organic bread, farmers butter, a soft boiled egg and a cucumber :-) The coffee? Great. Fresh roasted, strong and hot. An extra? The hot coco with slowly melting chocolate. Mmmmmmm…   

The Allpress crowd? Really all sorts sit together on simple wooden tables: local business or gallery people, families with young children, residents relaxing with a newspaper, adventurous city trippers (the area is not crowed with hipsters and tourists, thank god). Many come just for takeaways, bringing their bike into the café. There’s often a queue, sometimes a wait for a table but who cares? The filter or espresso-based coffee is terrific and the space is chill.

The Shoreditch Roastery & Cafe is part of the Allpress Espresso group, a coffee roaster and espresso specialist, with it’s story starting in New Zealand in 1986 when Michael Allpress (yeah right, his real name) decided to chase his love of traditional Italian espresso rather than his career as a chef. By 2010, he transferred his Allpress knowledge and skills in the coffee brewing industry down-under, to the UK. 


 "At Allpress it’s always about flavour ... starting at coffee farms and finishing in your cup.  Our obsession with the best tasting coffee involves selecting top grade Arabica beans, using innovative roasting technology, training baristas and the expertise of our people. Enjoy every brew knowing you are in the best possible hands." Michael Allpress

Allpress
58 Redchurch Street

Shoreditch

London E2 7DJ

©ALL photos by Kate Stockman_THE SQUID STORIES

Waiting for Jack-a life inspiration story

Ah, friends. I heard it 'through the grapevine' that our old chap Jack introduced his own first flavored variation on Belgian ground. For my US readers, I'm talking about Jack Daniel's honey and whiskey liqueur, you-without a doubt- all tasted all ready. Lucky bastards!
We are huge Jack fans and this is exciting news.

I hear about "hints of honey" and "a naturally smooth finish". Great.I personally mostly hope it tastes like our one-of-a-kind and unmistakably good old Jack.
My bottle is on its way, and I promise: a tasting session will be organised at our Wallstreet Building. Soon...

M, that's mmmmm with a view

Pictures with very few light, no flash off course.

It's always nice to discover a brand new restaurant in your neighborhood, especially when you're one of the first....

Ghent has been spoiled over the last year concerning exciting concept-and bistro resto's (Vitrine, Jef, ..)
pop up's (Gaston),'chocolateries'(Yuzu),cocktail bars(Roomer) and handmade fast-food (Wim's Balls and Glory).
But you only know that something's missing, when you know it exists. Well,  after visiting the ab fab restaurant-room-with-a-view-to-die-for 'M', we knew it straight away: this was definitely missing in Ghent.

A cosmopolitan, penthouse-like venue with an amazing view on Ghent, it's glorious towers, industry and history. The restaurant building itself is based in the middle of a kind of a 'war zone': the Tondelier site has a great 'under-construction' feel, and the fact that you know the place is part of a 10 year renovation plan, adds to the 'you have to find it-fun'. 
Turn in at de Gasmeterlaan, squeeze your car between the beton pillars at the entrance, and find yourself a parking spot around the building.

You enter the restaurant with a 30 meters high construction elevator (love it), fixed at the side of the old 'De Molens' factory. Perfect 'maitre' Michel, who we know from previous success horeca projects like Gaston, picks up the guests downstairs and accords them to the first 'waw' moment of the evening: the arrival at the outside entrance terrace.

No need to say that this is a project from somebody who knows how it works, who knows the drill and is not afraid to try new things. And that's exactly the man Eric De Wagenaere, owner and 'soulman' behind this project, is: driven, experienced and always ready for new challenges.

To make it easy, and that's what we think this place can take, there is just the menu of 70 euro's including wine. Everybody eats the same dishes and this makes the place quite relaxed and very chill. No busy waiters, not the typical changing of the plates, this 'service' goes smooth and stylish like you are a guest at some fancy home party on a rooftop.
The James Bond interior references are subtile but still a gimmick. Good that it stays discrete like 007 himself. 
I don't really like theme-gimmicks in concept venues that much...The only Bond gimmick I really love is the Bollinger, the only champagne that's served. Indeed.

The food is nice. Original amuses, the solettes grillé fresh and tasty, and desert, yes mmmm....
The menu we had? Here you are.

Bijschrift toevoegen

Japanese whisky.

Later that week, on Tuesday, I was invited for a trend round table discussion on 'Hospitality and technology', organized by the guys and girl from Venuez Magazine. Guess where we were invited?
Yeah! Lucky girl. I know.

Herman Konings, Tom Palmaerts, and me talking with the industry about the future.

Limited in place (Max. 20 people I guess), and limited in availability too: M with a view is only open Thursday and Friday nights. And that's fine, and it makes it more exclusive.
Other days and nights this exceptional venue is open for private parties

M with a view stays open 3 years, so don't say you were too late to discover this 'world-city-worthy' restaurant. You have plenty of time. And, take some foreign friends, they will be impressed!

M with a view

Gasmeterlaan 110, 9000 Ghent

TEl: +32 490 475 007

www.m-gent.be

Wasbar launch party-an inspiration story day

The rumors, the gossip, the WOM did it's job months before we even could see what the fuzz was all about! 

"Some guys in Ghent planed to make a new style 'wasserette with bar' and it was going to be the bom!"

With a buzz like that the expectations were VERY high, and when I heard that design agency Pinkeye was involved in the scenery it could' get any better. Ruud, Luc and the others would certainly do a splendid job.

I spotted the new venue to my client Eskimo (an authentic Ghent based night and underwear label-yeah,the one with the Eskimo and Pinguin logo) and they did join in as one of the early bird sponsors of Wasbar!

    copyright Arne Jennard/ Pinkeye


What about the venue, what about the was bar concept, what about the party?
Well, in one word: DE MAXX!

Dries Henau and Yuri Vandenbogaerde, the head and heart of this Wasbar idea jumped in their best suit (nice choice, guys!), talked to the press, did some interviews for TV and played perfect host. 

Saskia of The Wicked PR gathered an eclectic mix of Ghent and Antwerp based crowd, that blended well together. 

The vibe was good, the band Zinger that won the last edition of 'De Beloften' gave a great kick off concert and there was more than enough cava, beer and fun people.

    copyright Arne Jennard/ Pinkeye

    copyright Kate Stockman


I like the Wasbar design, it's not pretentious, it feels homy in a way, with a 'new retro' touch. I love the handcrafted logo, the wash bags, the mix of new up cycled furniture and the washed off colors. 
The omni present sanserveria's are not my thing, maybe I saw one too many in other design concepts. But hey, thats a detail.

    copyright Arne Jennard/ Pinkeye

                             copyright Arne Jennard/ Pinkeye

                             copyright Arne Jennard/ Pinkeye

Check out the washing machines, they all have names of grandparents. 
There was a Facebook contest to choose the best names. 
My grandma's name was Aleidis, great name though, but the chosen ones fitted more the retro concept: enter den Marcel, ons Mariette or La Juliana.

Electrolux had the privilege to deliver the high-tech machines, wash-virgins find loads of tips & advice on the walls or on Samsung tablets and Ecover takes (eco)care of your laundry dirt. Nice detail: also dry cleaning and ironing service are provided!

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, there is also 'coiffeur de maison' Olivier, who cuts, blows and styles your hair while your laundry gets clean. Olivier uses the Steampod, the steam iron for hip hairstylists. So ladies who like a 'one-hour- quicky', you know where to go.

Mum's all over Flanders will notice that there is a new spot in town! No longer they will need to wash the laundry of their students in the weekend, as the kids found their favorite spot to do it themselves. 
Sometimes we just need one brilliant idea, to change the mentality of a generation.

Nederkouter 109 - 9000 Gent
http://www.wasbar.be/
0478 272 360
info@wasbar.be
#wasbar
Opening hours 
MA:12u-22u
DI-ZA:10u-22u
ZO:10u-18u


A wash session at WASBAR costs €0,15/min, let's say the average price at a normal wasserette, but here Ecover products are included, what makes a big difference. 


Special days like 'man day', do-day, or even a brunch day on Sunday make  sure that you have a reason everyday to pop in, even if you don't have dirty undies....