Carluccio’s

St. Christopher’s Place,
3 / 5 Barrett Street, London, W1U 1AY

With posters of Venice hanging from the ceiling, shelves stocked with specialty pasta and Italian products that would make any foodie salivate, Carluccio’s proffers patrons a little bit of Italy in the heart of London.  Carluccio’s is located in St Christopher’s Place, a sliver’s entrance from Oxford Street (blink and you’ll miss it), this enchanting mini piazza (well known to the locals) is a lovely and quiet distraction from the fast paced Oxford Street.

Upon reading these words in their menu: “The details of our coffee blends are a secret, although we can tell you both are roasted in Italy.  Our Napoli blend is rich with a good kick of Robusta while Milano is smoother and based on Arabica”, and having an Italian barista who spoke minimal English behind the Gaggia coffee machine, I would have been greatly disenchanted if Carluccio’s did not make a genuinely good Caffe Latte.  Happily, I was not disappointed.

The Caffe Latte I ordered was served in a coffee glass, hot, a lovely tan colour with just the right amount of creme and froth (a little over 1 cm high and level to the rim).  Our waiter informed me it was their Milano blend and it was, indeed, smooth and refined.  My coffee was promptly served.

An excellent coffee.