Sensory Lab: an escape from madness
London is a shopping mecca but on Oxford Street it’s madness. Shoppers are in survival mode in attempt to fight off incoming crowds with their shoulders, elbows or shopping bags. Luckily there is Sensory Lab, a coffee oasis which is only a block or so behind Bond Street tube.
Another Melbourne brainchild of those behind St ALi, this is a great find particularly in an area which is starved of good coffee. The small coffeebar is perfect for an expresso pit stop. However if you are more inclined for some ‘maintenance’, pull up a stool and people watch at the window bench facing Wigmore Street.
Like its Melbourne sister, St ALi, there is no flat white on the menu but is available on request at the going rate of £2.40. While you wait you can enjoy some water served in a mini tumbler. However the real cherry topper was being asked “Would you like still or sparkling?” I thought to myself and in fact said aloud, “What? You mean I have a choice? Awesome!” The guy behind the counter looked rather smug. So he should be, this is A-grade service and totally unexpected while waiting for my coffee.
Stocked with Square Mile, HasBean and St ALi beans, you can’t go wrong with any given choice. I think I got a Square Mile flat white because I started having flashbacks of the coffee from Prufrock Coffee at Present. Good strong coffee with a hint of Square Mile bitterness.
Sensory Lab has a cool relaxing vibe with good coffee. Can’t wait to try it again and to check out the brew station to learn more about coffee.
Sensory Lab
75 Wigmore Street
London W1U 1QD
http://www.sensory-lab.co.uk/
Nearest cross street: James Street
Nearest tube: Bond Street