Commune at Goodhood - New Opening

Serious coffee, smørrebrød sandwiches and a stylish shop above - Commune at Goodhood is giving the cafes of Shoreditch some strong competition. 

A partnership between Chef Brett Redman (the maestro behind Elliots Cafe Borough Market) and the co-founders of the Goodhood store Jo Sindle and Kyle Stewart, Commune recently opened underneath Goodhood on Curtain Road. The style is pure Scandinavian - stark white walls, concrete floors, industrial hanging lights and enough wood to rival Ikea. Despite the designer boutique prices throughout the store, the food and drink at Commune is surprisingly good value. The concise, seasonal menu consists of open smørrebrød sandwiches served on rye bread (£3-3.50), soups & salads (£5-8), fresh juices (£2.50-3.50) and artisan coffee from a rotating selection of 'guest beans'.

The current selection includes healthy, flavoursome dishes such as stuffed vine leaves, burrata, basil beetroot & chicory salad, Bahn mi (Vietnamese braised pork belly with pate, pickle, chilli & coriander) and open sandwiches of roast beef and braised fennel, all of which arrive artfully placed for the inevitable Instagram shots.

The aforementioned artisan coffee is weighed out in single doses and ground with a Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, which we hear is the 'It Girl' of coffee grinders and essential for making seriously good espresso. The clientele is classic Shoreditch (bearded creative types), but the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, helped by the aspirational home furnishings that surround the cafe.  Our only complaint is that Commune closes at 6pm - we reckon they could make a killer Espresso Martini.

Goodhood Store, 151 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3QE

@commune_at_goodhood

www.goodhoodstore.com/commune