Black Truffle is a quiet and charming shoe/bag store on Warren Street. This quirky boutique is home to a fashion and accessory design school as well as sheltering The 3 Little Pigs coffee cart, parked within the store.
Michael Needham set up the espresso bar concession in late 2010 and blessed it with the most genius of touches. Due to his proximity to Brick Lane he was able to pick up freshly made bagels every morning on his way to work. On top of this he dusted off a beautiful Faema E61 machine and pulled Nude espresso blends that put Nude’s own outposts in Soho Square and Hanbury Street to shame — no easy feat.
Michael disappeared for a little while over winter causing a serious bagel shortage in Fitzrovia. Word was that he had returned to Australia indefinitely. It was therefore a mighty relief to find him right back behind his Faema with a plate of bagels staring up at us from the counter when we returned to take this photo.
Much is made of secrecy in the London coffee scene. This was, in fact, one of the few coffee shops that did manage to fly under the radar during its inaugural year. A glowing inclusion in this year's London Coffee Guide has put paid to its peaceful seclusion and it is now subject to stampeding, caffeine hungry hoards.
Fair dos, we suppose, when a place is this good.
Find The 3 Little Pigs Espresso Bar at Black Truffle, 52 Warren Street W1T 4NJ. Open Monday – Friday, 8am – 6.30pm.
Browse the London Blend coffee map for more.
