01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
The first thing to catch the eye in cafe Lindenbaum’s display case is its handmade Basque cheesecake, with a deeply browned top. The toasted surface brings a hint of bitterness, while the centre is moist and smooth. The sweetness is restrained, letting the cake’s rich flavour come through. The chocolate cake, available at weekends, is moist too, with a measured sweetness that sits well alongside the coffee’s bitterness.
The drinks menu centres on a range of options made with rich, pressure-brewed espresso. With less emphasis on milk than a café latte and a clearer expression of the coffee beans, the flat white is a good choice when you want a drink that cuts through the cake’s sweetness. For something cold, there is the Italian-style shakerato, made by shaking espresso and sugar with ice, as well as affogato, with warm espresso poured over ice cream. The tea selection offers plenty of choice too: Marco Polo by Mariage Frères is brewed as straight tea, and matcha lattes are whisked to order.
The interior has a calm, wood-grain finish, with tables as well as seats suited to sitting alone. A cup of coffee served in classic crockery, including pieces by Wedgwood, makes a fitting companion to a quiet afternoon with music playing softly in the background.
