By Tiziana Murgo
If you don’t know it exists, you might walk into this little café in Stoke Newington High Street and order your takeaway latte thinking about your to-do list, shopping, school run…
But while you wait for your order you might notice a few details that make this café not an ordinary one at all.
The Twisted Fork is a new venue that opened its doors to the public only in July this year, but it is expected to be a big success among locals. It is actually the first, and thus far only, magic and illusion-themed coffee bar in London.
As you enter the café and go past the counter, you find yourself in a very simple and rustic place. Try to sit down and relax and your mind and your eyes are going to be deceived: the objects on your table are suspended, and you will see anti-gravity cakes, flying cards as in Alice in Wonderland, fairy doors; the portraits will start to move and your mind will twist on magical illusions.
As for the food and drink, the coffee is ethically sourced and the menu offers a decent choice of breakfast and brunch with magical names. The kids’ menu is on the board too for quite modest prices and the space is wide enough for prams and strollers.
The design and décor is not addressed to babies and toddlers to wander around, as there are not carpets or toys and the decked wooden floor has not been treated. School kids, however, will definitely engage in the illusions and magic tricks. You will also find regular guest magicians and you can book for magic workshops.
The place is fun, trendy and highly entertaining. We are looking forward to the opening of the back garden, which at the moment is still being refurbished.
The Twisted Fork is located at 155 Stoke Newington High Street, London, N16 0NY
