Before I wax lyrical about the delights of Olive and Bean, I should mention that they do do cakes. Very nice cakes. Unusual cakes. Cakes that make you wonder why they don't do a cake tapas so that you can have a little taste of several. I only mention this because their admirable website does not mention cake at all and it jolly well should! Honeycomb tiffin! Cranberry tiffin! Parsnip, lime and ginger! Millionaire shortbread about a foot thick (that's several centimetres to you young things)!
I must admit I had walked past Olive and Bean before thinking it was a deli, but several people have recommended it to me and so curiosity demanded it should be visited soon.
It was a bit like walking into a deli, what with the shelves of tea etc just inside the door, there were tables further round hidden from view and making a nice quiet venue. Upstairs is more seating, proper tables and chairs (hurrah!), sofas for those who must, and in-between bucket-type chairs for the indecisive. It's all beautifully clean and decked out in suitably olivey colours with lovely bright green walls. And situated on the corner as it is, it's a nosy parker's paradise as you can watch the world go by and into Eldon Square or Grainger Market while sipping your drink and munching the irresistable cake.
So, I can voucher for the tea (two good cups from a pot) and the parsnip, lime and ginger cake, and I am reliably informed that the coffee was good too. It's a little oasis in the heart of town. Yes, I will be going back!
www.oliveandbean.co.uk
23/1/12. Back at Olive and Bean this afternoon with Polyglot - hopefully we are speaking the same language. In any case, the cakes still look luscious, and the upstairs seating is still a nice little haven in the centre of town. We settled on scones and tea at a table - let others brave the sofas!
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