Mixed Media Sketch
Website: www.caferoute.co.uk
Location: Unit A Gaumont Tower, Dalston Square
When I initially came down to view what turned out to be my
flat me and my Mum popped in here for a spot of lunch in the midday sunshine.
The first thing that is worth mentioning is the surrounding area, at the centre
of Dalston’s newest housing development, the open space concrete square is a
chilled out alternative to the sometimes gritty side of Dalston further towards
Kingstanding. The food and service were great; a fantastic display of much of
the food on offer stretches the full length of the café in a kind of market
stall format. The waitress that served us had perfect command over the tables
and no one appeared to be left waiting, the lovely atmosphere (if helped a
little by the weather) was perfectly balanced in the over spilling nature of
the seating. Four rows of benches protrude out of the Café into the square making
it a very inviting spot to sit and enjoy a coffee or lunch in the afternoon.
I returned again for a visit because I was interested to see
what it would be like later in the evening and I was not disappointed; the
beautiful rustic organic looking pendant lights illuminate the surf shack style
façade inside the building creating a gentle glow that can be seen from across
the square. The vaulted ceiling becomes an acoustic honey pot of gentle
conversation; creating enough buzz to present a thriving popular café environment
without invading the privacy of the individual.
If you choose to sit yourself outside you can pick up the
yelps and chuckles of passers-by and gather up the eaves of conversations drifting
into the square, all gently serenaded with the percussion of the fountain just
yards away. The way this café is able to seamlessly be both café and restaurant
is something to be marveled at, it appears to slide into which ever atmosphere
is required.
VERDICT: whether
you want to watch the world go by, eat some great food, pick up a quick bite or
meet for a drink near the station, Café Route will serve your needs. The carefully
executed design combines the Italian plaza with the Turkish market all the
while whispering the homely goodness of an aunt’s pantry. Perhaps it doesn’t
break boundaries or offer something for trendy shoreditchers to whistle about but
as a package, everything it does it does well.
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