Review: Federation Coffee, Brixton Village
Does what it says on the Window
I have a new policy, now that I’m ‘working for myself’ and as yet mostly based from home, which is that I need to get out and about, to see real live people, and interact with human (and coffee) beans, rather than just my little computer screen. Whilst I was settling into things in January, I wasn’t doing enough this, but now I have some semblance of routine, it turns out that the ‘forays away from desk’ are equally as productive and stimulating as the time spent in front of it. I’ve known for ages that finding new places and exploring is what keeps me inspired and excited, but sometimes this little fact is so easy to forget! So, hopefully, over the next few months, there will be a little plethora of lovely wee cafes cavorting across your screens.
My latest joy is Federation Coffee, tucked away inside the seemingly undiscovered Aladdin’s cave that is Brixton Village. I love Brixton Village SO much it is probably illegal.
It makes me mindbogglingly happy, with smiling storeowners, music playing, laughter pealing throughout the ‘Avenues’ and, if you’re lucky, like I was yesterday, SUN streaming through the glass coverings… There are more little restaurants and cafes than you can discover in one day, so repeat explorations are a necessity, and you will soon become as addicted as I am to the vast piles of fresh fruit on sale, not to mention the meat and fish stalls. I will definitely be getting better acquainted with it over the upcoming few months and, given both The Gribbler and my Sweet Toothed bestest bud live down that neck of the woods, I’ve almost got no excuse not to!
All spelt out for you
The place itself is sweet and simply decorated, with a kindergartenesque menu which gets my full seal of approval, and -something I think might be a prerequisite for all good coffeeshops – windows steamed up delightfully from the inside. I’ve talked before about the effect of the instant coze-factor of steamed windows on my delicate self, and I can’t help but be drawn inside. I’ve been a couple of times now, once to work (you can easily poach wifi from the surrounding enterprises) accompanied by a heavenly hot chocolate, and most recently to discuss possible product shoots with a lovely photographer friend of mine. It is most definitely an inspiring environment, and we weren’t even on the coffee, as I was ‘being virtuous’ drinking some honey Rooibos tea with milk (yum). We did, however, ogle the various cakes that they have on display and, struggling gallantly with our afore-mentioned (possibly exaggerated) virtuosity, opted to share one of their Anzac biscuits.
Major Error.
If there is one piece of advice I can now tell you having been to Federation Coffee, it is never share one of their Anzac biscuits. Always, I repeat, ALWAYS ensure that you get your own. Oblivious to our innocent mistake, we broke the biscuit in half, launched into a synchronised-biscuit-into-mouth-crumble-manoeuvre, and simultaneously lapsed into almost painful paroxysms of joy and rapture. Because these little, innocuous looking biccies are SERIOUSLY heavenly. And, I should also add, practically good for you, as they’re made out of oats (healthy!), dessicated coconut (one of your 5 a day, surely?)…as well as *mumble* sugar and butter *mumble*. The waitress sniggered and said knowingly, ‘I told you so…it happens every time…!’. You live and you learn. I make these mistakes, dear readers, so that you don’t have to.
Of course, you want to see what those little babies look like, right? Well, don’t say I’m not good to you:
Innocent until proven guilty.
Trot along, why don’t you, before the crowds discover it.
Unit 46, Brixton Village Market, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS
£1.60 for a very lovely Teapig tea (my favourite) £2.50 for one of their yumscrum hot chocs, and somewhere in between for caffeine, depending on how much or little you opt for. Anzac biscuits a veritable bargain, at 80p.
Bikes want Anzac biscuits too you know
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