Boki Coffee is the latest independent coffee shop to open in west London’s burgeoning coffee scene. It can truly be described as a ‘hidden gem’—if you aren’t quick enough to see the sign coming off the Great West Road in Brentford, you would easily miss it (they’re working on it). However, it can also be accessed from Ealing Road and fills a coffee-shop void for the area in and around South Ealing and north Brentford.
Opened only in February, the cafés founders, friends and ex-colleagues Boris and Kim (Bo + Ki), hail from a film and advertising background and were ready for a change of pace. A chance meeting with the crew behind the Urban Villa hotel chain, who are keen to create a boutique vibe in their hotels and wanted to partner with a new indie operation, led to their opening in this otherwise less-than-obvious spot. The partnership will hopefully see the rollout of Boki cafés in other hotels soon.
At first glance the location seems a little odd, but being in a hotel lobby has its perks. Customers from the hotel are constant and the regeneration plans for the area include a high-rise residential building opposite, opening this month. Already a neighbourhood feel is starting to happen with a daycare/nursery as well as a Sainsbury’s. In summer, the idea is to use the outdoor common parts for al fresco dining.
Currently the menu caters for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast options include Boki breakfast sandwich (£4.25), frittata (£4.50), organic granola (£3.50) and more. Lunch items range from soup of the day (£3.50) to sandwiches (£3.25 to £3.75). I sampled the free-range chicken sarnie and lentil soup—both were delicious.
Most important is the coffee: Shoreditch-based Allpress. If coffee isn’t your drink of choice, then their selection of T2 teas should fit the bill. I also couldn’t resist trying their on-trend matcha latte—which seems to be the ‘it’ hot bevvy at the moment (see how to make it at home with our recent nutritionist video ‘Pip’s Tips’). The concept of a milky green tea takes getting used to, but knowing the health benefits makes the distinct flavour bearable. Just.
At the moment there isn’t any set ‘children’s corner’ but the owners are keen to create a more child-friendly environment. Co-owner Kim’s girlfriend is a primary school teacher, which could prove useful to organising some fun events for the little ones. Even now, though, the industrial-chic vibe is welcoming to little hands. Concrete walls and floors imply this place can handle anything a child might throw at it—unlike the risks posed by kids to dainty tea shops.
Besides good coffee and a chilled-out vibe, its location off the Great West Road provides another bonus: parking aplenty. If the Boki team have their way, they’ll create a coffee shop that’s worth the search.
For more info, see Boki’s website (currently being updated), or their Facebook page.
