Prufrock Coffee, Leather Lane

Beijing Breakfast
from Laoshan Mountain
Shangdong Province

‘…the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons’

T.S. Elliot.
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Prufrock coffee has a reputation bar none in the world of the coffee geek. I hope they don’t mind being referred to as geeks as they are charming and friendly folk, but the lengths they go to make a brew are impressive.
No flicking the kettle on here, this is a veritable laboratory of caffeine. Chrome contraptions to weigh, time, filter and take temperature (see video).

I visited with a friend and we sat at the bar, chatting away, but our eyes kept wandering to the shiny paraphernalia and expert preparation; on enquiry, we discover that this is no ordinary coffee shop.
The proprietor of Prufrock is a world barista champion, and they run B.R.A.T.- Barista Resource and Training – in the basement. Workshops on offer include, among other things, milk-froth art.
I felt a bit nervous asking for tea, but a trap-door didn’t open and swallow me; and, naturally they had sourced the fine Beijing Breakfast from the Shangdong Province via Postcard Teas.
My tea was prepared with care and precision – timed for three minutes at the prescribed temperature. I was instructed to ask for further steeping as better tasting than first. It was very good cuppa indeed.

The interior is stylish urban-minimal and the clientele a mix of young and hip, some city suits and traders from the market.
The care and pride in what they do is apparent and a joy to watch.