Forum Topic

Paperback coffee shop South Ealing Road

Continuing the trend of reviewing local gaffsWent to this relatively new coffee shop on SaturdayI think it may be related to Munsons further up the road as a similar feel to it with chalkboard proverbs etc???Anyway on first impressions a big thumbs up!It's very much shabby chic but a warm friendly welcome, cracking beverage and really, really nice paninis and cakes at very reasonable prices. Had a cracking bit of mellow old school reggae playing very softly in the background to add to the chill out factorNot a leather sofa in sight, which I do often go for, but likewise no queen of coffee emblems, loyalty cards or uniformed staff with name badges. All good and sooner the independent trader get my dollar than "the man"Welcome to my manor and I hope you are a success Mr Paperback

Colin Goodman ● 4422d29 Comments

Does it do a good breakfast ?

Rachel Dwyer ● 4229d

Yes, I'd wondered - but it was only when I was being driven past that I managed to read the notice.

Philippa Bond ● 4286d

Ah I couldn't quite work that out whilst driving past this week!  Makes sense now. Well done the owners for supporting this initiative.

Diane Gill ● 4287d

I see they have a good selection of plants on a table in front of the cafe.  These have been grown by the social enterprise:  Cultivate London.www.cultivatelondon.org

Philippa Bond ● 4288d

The guy who set up Munsons is he guy who is setting up the Paperback Cafe!

Peter Mcleod ● 4368d

They are trying to do a Munson's and go beyond their station.

Simon Wycombe ● 4369d

Know what you mean Susan. I think they're right but not sure I'd have put up a sign. We went in a week or so ago and liked the coffee and the cakes but it was very uncomfortable in there and it was cold too - door wide open. The guys were very pleasant though. They are restricted by the size of the place but some more comfortable furniture would have been good. My back can't stand stools !!

Penny Crocker ● 4369d

I think it's great and I made my living for the last four years of my career closely associated with the mobile phone industry.What did people do before they clamped mobiles to their heads, they relaxed and engaged in conversation. Well done Paperback Café.

Nigel Brooks ● 4369d

I must say, I get upset when someone I'm with makes or takes a call on their mobile. I think its a discourteous thing to do, unless its an emergency call. I dislike mobile phones mainly.

Gerry Tan ● 4369d

I had a flat white in Paperback café this morning and was disconcerted by a sign at the till saying that they would not serve anyone who was talking on their mobile. Now, I wouldn't dream of jabbering on my phone while interacting with staff at a shop or café, because I would consider it rude, but the sign also feels rude to me.What does anyone else think?

Susan Kelly ● 4369d

No, but I'm sure it was fine. I gave my Dad a humbug today and he promptly dropped it on the floor of the car, picked it up and popped it in his mouth. I asked if it was better a bit furry and he agreed that it was.You'll eat a peck of dirt before you die.

Susan Kelly ● 4396d

An interesting choice to read in a shop serving food! Did you get to the bit where they rescue a cooked chicken that fell down a lift shaft on its way to the table in a restaurant and dusted it off before serving it anyway?

Peter Mcleod ● 4396d

Yes, I sat on a bench, but if the place were crowded one might get lumbered (or rather lumbared) with a stool.Then there are the books, of course. It's always nice to have something to read over morning coffee. I read a bit of Down & Out in Paris & London (or is it London & Paris?).

Susan Kelly ● 4396d

The benches around the walls offer excellent lumber support and keep the back very straight.

Peter Mcleod ● 4396d

Went in this morning for an early elevenses (10:15). Very acceptable flat white and very pleasant, well-spoken staff. Would have liked a wider range of sweet stuff to choose from to expand my waistline/fatten my liver/rot my teeth even further, and too many stools rather than chairs when I need support for my back.

Susan Kelly ● 4397d

:-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4412d

Shame!

Jim Lawes ● 4412d

It was. I had to go and see both my therapist and my life-coach a day early.

Peter Mcleod ● 4413d

How tragic!

Nigel Brooks ● 4413d

Not an outlet in site to charge my iPhone. Even the barista could not find one.

Peter Mcleod ● 4413d

Almost every time I passed the previous cafe, the windows were covered with newspaper, giving the impression that it was closing down. It took ages to open and then lasted only a few months. Hopeless.

Susan Kelly ● 4415d

It was one of the Cookie Patisserie chain before and never marketed properly.A board and a few chairs outside plus a friendly disposition and a warm welcome does work wonders for trade.

Colin Goodman ● 4415d

I have noticed this too.  Interesting that prior to this opening it was a Cafe as well, can't remember the name but whenever I drove past it always looked closed as it was so dimly lit and the counter was at the back. The layout and theme for Paperback is much clearer and you can actually see it is open!  I have no idea what the quality of the coffee was like in its previous incarnation but it's amazing what can be achieved with good design as well of course great coffee, food and service!  I wish them luck.

Diane Gill ● 4415d

Thank you for the medical names Gerry, as I sit here too engrossed in the forum to head to the kitchen and heal myself of my borborygmy ;-)

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4417d

Popped back in here again today and happy to report first visit wasn't a one offNo airs or gracesTrying to be understatably trendy or quirkyBut quality, quality paninis and nice smooth coffeeSun was shining as well

Colin Goodman ● 4418d

Thanks Susan.  I like old books too - came across one in a friend's bathroom recently called Schott's Miscellany(an old book collection of trivia) - it listed nouns of assemblage including: a muster of peacocks, a murmuration of starlings, a murder of crows and a business of ferrets! all delightful words seldom used today. It also gave medical terms for ordinary words like tennis elbow meaning lateral epicondylitis, housemaid's knee as preatellar bursitis and tummy rumbling as borborygmy!

Gerry Tan ● 4422d

It's just above the junction with Popes Lane, Gerry.I've been meaning to give it a try as it just looks nice. Having old books around to read is a great idea. Got one of our book club ideas this year (All Quiet on the Western Front) from the bookshelf at that place in Hanwell by the clock tower.I don't mind staff having name badges. It's their demanding to know my name that irritates me. I am not your friend! To Starbucks in Kew, I shall always be Jo (which they usually spell Joe).

Susan Kelly ● 4422d

Paperback Coffee sounds interesting. Its new to me. Where exactly on Sth Ealing Rd please?

Gerry Tan ● 4422d

Agreed! Have been 3 times so far and will go again, great service and atmosphere

Bob Knight ● 4422d