Cafe No.9

Feasted on delicious ricotta pancakes swimming in maple syrup with rhubarb and spiced cream. Good coffee and very friendly staff.

From the unassuming outside, you could be convinced you’re in Manhattan with the sleek black awnings contrasted against a brick façade with an unassuming gold-​plated number as the only demarkation. That is until you walk inside and are slapped in the face with full-​on Old World opulence. It’s all rah rah and air kisses as you meander past the glittering chandelier, fireplace (decorated with luscious baked goods), and gilded, well, everything, and feast your eyes on an animal-​centric modern european menu that would impress both royalty and the general hunting-​inclined.
I felt like a complete fraud as I was only there for a coffee and a place to bury my head in work for an hour, but wouldn’t you know it, they even catered for the common folk with an upstairs mezzanine which I continue to refer to as «the library» to suggestion-​seeking locals. I nursed an incredibly strong long black and stayed until my drooling became too much of a nuisance. But I’ll definitely be back, if only to dive into the baked goods and indulge my glamorous side.