The Bird Table cafe on Coldharbour Road in Redland serves a great flat white. I know this because I was the first person owner Joe made one for. When I asked for a flat white early one morning last week, Joe professed that he didn’t know what one was so I made do with a latte. As I enjoyed my latte and a chocolate tart, Joe then proceeded to research what a flat white was on the internet and then make one for me to try, on the house. What a splendid fellow.
For those yet to discover the delights of a flat white, according to Wikipedia, “a flat white is a coffee beverage from Australia and New Zealand. It is prepared by pouring microfoam (steamed milk from the bottom of a pitcher) over a single (30ml) or double shot (60ml) of espresso. It is similar to the latte and the café au lait and like other espresso based beverages it can be interpreted various ways.”
Ian Boughton, who edits the trade magazine Boughton’s Coffee House, told the Independent: “A flat white needs to be served in a 5oz or 6oz cup. It’s a more powerful, stronger, creamier drink but not uncomfortably strong. The milk needs to be very well stretched and well spun to make sure it has plenty of tight bubbles – a micro foam – which makes it very, very creamy.”
In my opinion, the best flat whites in Bristol are served in Boston Tea Party. Not many cafes have them on their drinks list, but ask a barista and they will hopefully know what one is and be able to make one for you.
Joe used to be an IT project manager before he and his mum bought the building that used to be a furniture shop at auction, with a view to renting out the shop downstairs. But then they had a change of plan, deciding to open The Bird Table cafe, surprisingly only the second along Coldharbour Road after Attic.
With a chef who has come from Tracy Park Golf & Country Club near Wick, big things are planned for The Bird Table, who haven’t yet got a late license but hope to have one soon. In the meantime, enjoy Joe’s flat whites.
The Bird Table, 124 Coldharbour Road, Redland, Bristol.
Good tip – will give it a try.
Best Flat White in Bristol? We’ll see – that crown is currently held by Bubalu on the Gloucester Road (http://emperorsnewcoffee.blogspot.com/2011/02/wot-no-posts-for-4-months.html – near the bottom of the post).
Went there the other day. Best coffee in Bristol Ive had since being back from France, where the competition is on. Very friendly, refreshing after France, where the competition is not on.
I must say this is a lovely little spot to enjoy a coffee. Ticks all the boxes as far as I am concerned. Certainly the best I have had in Bristol