Cojean seems to be becoming the all-day café scene for City workers, located fairly close to my offices too. Cojean first opened its doors in Paris in November 2001 and has since expanded with 16 branches in its home capital. The Ludgate Circus branch is Cojean’s first London “restaurant”, bringing what seems to be very popular amongst Parisians to Londoners.
Cojean delves into the healthy ethos. This is surprising from a French café, which I’d usually associate with croissants, cheese and baguettes. Everything here, however, seems to be available dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free etc. They even do coconut yogurt and a Chocolate crumble coconut dessert (£2.70).
The menu is well balanced and seasonal, and just from looking at the options on offer, everything seems to be really fresh, innovative and eclectic. From the lunchtime salad offerings, the Soba veggie pasta salad (£4.95) seemed very me – made from soba pasta, smoked tofu, shiitake, button mushrooms, edamame, kale, coriander, black sesame, sesame oil and sweet soy. I’m sure this would go well with a side of Thai veggie salad (£5.15), made from marinated tofu, carrot, white cabbage, green cabbage, red onion, coriander, ginger, sesame, lime and sesame oil. Their Green Superfood salad (£4.95) also sung out to me, made from kale, cauliflower, pumpkin, edamame, chickpea, golden raisins, organic pumpkin seeds, nut oil, organic apple vinegar and spinach hummus. Other salads include superfood quinoa salads, which look so colourful and full of vitamins. Yum.
On my first lunch visit here, though, they were testing out a new Falafel salad so I went for this. Although a tiny portion of three falafels compared to Pilpel’s dosage, it was still filling and deliciously healthy.
Although I’m not a great porridge fan, the range of porridges on offer at breakfast also appeal – particularly the Chia seed & almond milk porridge (£3.55), which can be served hot or cold (pudding style!) and is made of organic chia seeds, organic almond milk, organic banana, blueberry, maple syrup, organic pumpkin seeds – yes, everything here seems to be organic. This would make a perfect brekkie, with a freshly-pressed DIY juice.
I’m also a great fan of their “look” – minimalist yet colourful stripes – and plenty of seating areas. And what better way to fuel yourself for an afternoon’s work with this kind of food? Indeed, Cojean pride themselves on offering “inspirational food, for the mind and the body”.
Cojean, 60 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4VM 7HX
Website: http://www.cojean.co.uk/
Rating: *****
Yumtini 