If you’re serious about coffee and cake…
Morganti Caffè Bar Tornatora
187 Tottenham Court Rd, Fitzrovia
London, United Kingdom W1T 7PQ
London is now the pre-eminent global gastro destination with cuisines from all around the world represented. However how do we know that we really getting something authentic? Italian cafés have been part of the London scene since the late 1950s with Bar Italia in Soho’s Frith St probably the best known example.
But London’s café society is about to have a makeover with the opening of Morganti Caffè Bar Tornatora, a new Italian caffe-bar on Tottenham Court Road. It’s not the kind of retro-kitsch Italian joint that has a Vespa hanging from the ceiling. In fact the interior is rather restrained underplaying the fact that Caffe’ Morganti and patisserie A. Tornatora are two iconic Roman brands joining forces in London to offer a totally authentic taste of Italian café life.
Caffe’ Morganti is the oldest coffee roasting company, founded in Rome in 1890 and offering a range of high quality, artisanal coffees and supplying top hotels and restaurants, royalty and even the Vatican.
Patisserie A.Tornatora is a relative newcomer – a family business from the 1960s with 11 shops in Rome, run by four brothers and their families, renowned for their fine patisserie, deli foods, breads, superb gelato, all made in house from scratch. Their ‘cornetti’ – the Italian version of the croissant, but not as you know it, are legendary in Rome, with each shop selling around 1,000 a day.
I visited for a late breakfast and sampled a delicious glass of rosé Prosecco (start as you mean to go on…) and then two coffee based drinks that were new to me. Crema di caffé is an ice-cream based coffee drink, creamy, cooling and sweet, given an extra kick by an added espresso shot. Espresso Granita is a supercharged caffeine slushy – a perfect summer pick-me up and almost a necessity in this city heat!
Savouries include exquisite sandwiches (tramezzini), panini, lasagnas and salads but for me the highlight was..
the homemade gelato including some of the best pistachio I have tried.
So if you are in the West End and need a hot or cold caffeine fix or a bite to eat and want an upgrade from Starbucks or Costa, you should pop into Morganti Caffè Bar Tornatora for a slice of Roman Dolce Vita.
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