Foodie Mom In London: Paper and Cup

Here's my piece for the latest NCT Tower Hamlets newsletter. Thought there was no harm in putting it up on my blog seeing as it's a bit unloved at the moment due to work commitments, boo...

Paper & Cup Coffee Shop Opens

Stop press. A coffee shop has opened on St Paul’s Way in Bow. Having grown up in this area, I can confirm that it has been completely bereft of any decent eateries (unless you rate Perfect Fried Chicken) for over 30 years, so when I pushed the buggy past the snazzy blue frontage last week my heart all but skipped a beat.

Paper & Cup is a community spirited venture that trains and creates jobs for former addicts who have successfully graduated from an addiction recovery programme. It has opened on the ground floor of the new St Paul’s Way Centre social housing development. If all of that’s not already making you feel warm inside, pop in for a decent latte (they use Fairtrade Union coffee) and a homemade peanut butter cookie and you almost certainly will be.

The café is light and bright, offers wifi throughout and opens out on to a grassy communal area out back that will have additional seating in the summer. There’s a little kid’s area with toys and games, a sparkling new baby change and high chairs.

Ingredients are sourced from local, independent suppliers and homemade cakes are made daily. When I visited a batch of flapjacks had just come out of the oven and raspberry mini muffins, apple & toffee cake and chocolate cheesecake were all on the counter.

The weekend breakfast served on trendy white and blue striped enamelware consists of beans, grilled tomato, a fried egg, toast and a Cumberland sausage - all non-greasy and for a mere £4.

Local art is on the walls (for sale) and you can browse an interesting collection of second hand books and ornaments also up for grabs and all reasonably priced compared to any ‘vintage’ finds you might come across in neighbouring Hackney.

Do pop in for a cup of tea if you're passing by.