Khoollect’s local haunt: Well Street Kitchen
***Rachel Khoo would like to thank all the inspiring people who helped make the Khoollect studio a hive of creativity. Although the Khoollect studio’s doors have now closed, you can keep up with Rachel’s newest adventures on RachelKhoo.com and on Rachel’s Instagram and Facebook pages – and, continue to enjoy the Khoollect website’s stories and recipes, which will remain available.***
Once the grittier and less loved part of the city, East London is now thriving mecca of food establishments, all jostling for position in the competitive hospitality industry. This means those of us based at Khoollect HQ are spoilt for choice when it comes to neighbourhood cafes, bars and coffee joints.
One local cafe that’s dear to our hearts is Well Street Kitchen. Just a short stroll from HQ, it’s a regular haunt at lunchtime and when in desperate need of a strong flat white or espresso.
The cafe opened its doors when Well Street was still reasonably uncool and devoid of great eateries. Owner Jens Harder took a chance and had enough foresight to see that the street would soon become a well trodden route for workers and weekenders on their way home from nearby Broadway Market. Fast forward a couple of years, and the street now has several cafes, a bottle store, a couple of upmarket restaurants, and one of the best pubs in the borough. This intense competition keeps Well Street Kitchen on its toes.
The cafe itself is a welcoming little beacon. Its simple white exterior is punctuated with blue windows and door; it’s rustic and charming in a very European way. The interior is simple but well thought out. Small wooden chairs and tables are reminiscent of those you would see in schools when you were far too young to remember. Other tables are tiled ala black and white checkerboard.
The food here is delicious, and the coffee is pretty great too. The speciality – breakfast and brunch. There’s all your morning meal favourites, but with an interesting twist that’s worth leaving the house for. Try the hashbrown stack with breadcrumbed poached egg, chorizo, smokey aubergine puree, and mint and cucumber yoghurt. Or the panfried mixed mushrooms on sourdough toast with blue cheese mascarpone, walnut pesto, and balsamic caramelised onions. The lunch specials are always delicious too.
If you’re familiar with Well Street, tell us in the comments section below about some of your favourite places to hang out in the area.
Once the grittier and less loved part of the city, East London is now thriving mecca of food establishments, all jostling for position in the competitive hospitality industry. This means those of us based at Khoollect HQ are spoilt for choice when it comes to neighbourhood cafes, bars and coffee joints.
One local cafe that’s dear to our hearts is Well Street Kitchen. Just a short stroll from HQ, it’s a regular haunt at lunchtime and when in desperate need of a strong flat white or espresso.
The cafe opened its doors when Well Street was still reasonably uncool and devoid of great eateries. Owner Jens Harder took a chance and had enough foresight to see that the street would soon become a well trodden route for workers and weekenders on their way home from nearby Broadway Market. Fast forward a couple of years, and the street now has several cafes, a bottle store, a couple of upmarket restaurants, and one of the best pubs in the borough. This intense competition keeps Well Street Kitchen on its toes.
The cafe itself is a welcoming little beacon. Its simple white exterior is punctuated with blue windows and door; it’s rustic and charming in a very European way. The interior is simple but well thought out. Small wooden chairs and tables are reminiscent of those you would see in schools when you were far too young to remember. Other tables are tiled ala black and white checkerboard.
The food here is delicious, and the coffee is pretty great too. The speciality – breakfast and brunch. There’s all your morning meal favourites, but with an interesting twist that’s worth leaving the house for. Try the hashbrown stack with breadcrumbed poached egg, chorizo, smokey aubergine puree, and mint and cucumber yoghurt. Or the panfried mixed mushrooms on sourdough toast with blue cheese mascarpone, walnut pesto, and balsamic caramelised onions. The lunch specials are always delicious too.
If you’re familiar with Well Street, tell us in the comments section below about some of your favourite places to hang out in the area.
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