The other week we mentioned how the lower Kentish Town Road is becoming a real destination for quirky indie cafes, from Arancini to Bintang, Doppio to Guanabana. This week another joined the throng – and it’s a corker.
A two-floor concept, it makes clever use of its ostensibly tiny space: upstairs there’s a bare wood counter, white tiling and jars on shelves. A blackboard lists daily specials and lunch options; piled high are tray bakes, cookies, custard filled brioche buns, gluten-free cakes and savoury tarts. A counter faces the window, with a small alfresco terrace beyond; downstairs, a snug lounge is cutely furnished, and might suit those wishing to block out noisy old KTR, and concentrate on the beans (or a good book).
Friendly owners Rich and Klara serve up an interesting tale of how they ended up back in their old stomping ground of north London. After years in the south-east suburb of Brockley, where Klara was a teacher, the couple were about to abandon the capital for Brighton – before stumbling across this disused unit which, they say, costs less than a similar-sized space in the oversubscribed seaside resort.
So anyway, we popped by yesterday lunchtime to try, amongst other things, the “t’riffic toasts”. A very vogueish offering, they chalk up three daily options: a classic beetroot and goat’s cheese, a really good smoked mackerel and horseradish – and avocado and tabasco, our only niggle with the latter being it should be mashed, Caravan-style, not sliced, for maximum moreishness.
Best of all? Why, the homemade quails’ egg sausage roll “with a kick”, hand-crafted daily by Rich, who builds wells into the sausage meat and breaks the mini yolks into it before baking. The result is herby, moist and fiery (that’ll be the chilli), with delectably flaky pastry. In fact, we’ve never seen Kentishtowner mascot Pepper lick her lips so frantically as she watched something disappear into a human mouth.
Of course we must mention the coffee, too. The pair have plumped for a “house” blend, so “people know what they’re getting if they’re regulars,” says Rich, sensibly.
But what a blend: a double espresso of their Redchurch Street-based Allpress was smooth and balanced, as good Arabica beans should be, with just a hint of caramel. Co-editor Tom’s americano had a slightly too great water-to-coffee ratio (although a long black earlier in the week was spot on). And we shared a creamy carrot and coconut cake, supplied by London-based bakery Breadren, “a high quality start-up”, says Klara.
They are keen to win over the community, so deals abound all weekend, including a “buy one get one free” cake offer today, fun quiz tomorrow (for a fortnight’s free coffee) and “community focus day” on Sunday. Look out soon for a show from our very own SecretArtistNW5.
11 thoughts on “Review: Two Doors Down, Kentish Town Road”
Good cappuccino from them this morning, very friendly chat about an upcoming art exhibition they’re holding of pictures of listed buildings in Kentish Town. Welcome addition.
Went in yesterday and they were both lovely reckon this place is going to be a real winner. Looks like a new Italian deli opening next to pangs garden as well – this stretch is on the up.
But what I really want to know is: What’s the name all about? (Not knowing what is two doors up.)
Quinn’s one way, the Bike Shop the other. So I’m no wiser either.
I fell in love with the girl who lives two doors down?
Really lovely place. Looking forward to being a regular :-).
Excellent. Good luck people.
Great coffee, lovely people, superb sausage role…
Excellent cafe – this may be the best new opening in K-Town in the past year. I went this weekend for tea and cake. They have a large selection of teas, including a floral something or other iced tea, which was amazing and very welcome on a warm day. The cake is delicious – moist and fresh – very nutty for my sticky toffee cake – it tasted like something baked it at home that morning. The stretch of KTR that it’s on is not the best but the cafe has a very home-grown feel to it which means I don’t really mind. I’ll support regular folk looking to open a good quality cafe with top notch cakes, coffees, and teas any day versus some of the money-machine backed places that have opened up in the area recently.
Two Doors Down did some excellent sandwiches for a special boat trip on the Regents Canal this summer. The food was delicious and it was a real pleasure working with Klara and Rich. Thanks to them both for adding to a really memorable day!
Love this place. On my second visit, I already felt like a regular due to the friendly conversation and the amazing memories of the owners. Child-friendly, adult-friendly, delicious coffee, help-yourself water, cinema chairs in the basement, and tabasco avocado on toast – so simple, and yet possibly the most delicious combination ever!!! Hands down the best coffee shop in all of KT/Camden.