Most neighbourhoods can support their own café. The area of St John’s Wood has several, among which is the excellent Fego Caffe.

The Venue
Fego Caffe has its roots in South Africa where the coffee chain opened in 1996. In 2003 it spread to the UK and now has several Home Counties branches and just two in London, at Putney and St John’s Wood. St. John's Wood itself is a shopper’s haven, with venues selling everything from clothing and jewellery to patisserie, groceries and more, helping to make this upmarket residential area practically self-sufficient. Fego nestles among these outlets, providing a welcome base for refreshments after a heavy bout of shopping. The caffe is decorated mainly with white walls, tempered by appropriate coffee-coloured details, all very clean-looking and offering a warm welcome.

The Atmosphere
The clientele seems to be smart ladies meeting the similarly attired, plus local workers and young people in an assorted mix seeking good coffee and high-quality snacks and meals. Open most days from breakfast until late evening, it’s a place to enjoy at any time of the day, and the menu reflects this in the available dishes. Whatever else they order, customers are there essentially for the coffee, as this is the basis of Fego’s raison d’etre. It serves a blend of six beans sourced, roasted and packed in Italy exclusively for Fego.

The Food
Breakfast items (£1.95-£9.55) are served all day, except for the morning big breakfast and its vegetarian alternative. Otherwise it’s a selection of filled croissants (£4.95-£5.95), paninis and baguettes (£6.45-£9.95), sandwiches (£5.45-£8.45), filled wraps (£8.95-£9.45) and freshly baked muffins and pastries (£1.95-£3.65).

Main meals (£8.45-£12.45) include omelettes, homemade burgers, pasta and thirteen kinds of salad (crayfish, goat’s cheese, bacon & avocado, warm beef). The soup of the day could be the very tasty tomato with its intense flavour and herby freshness - a proper bowlful of goodness. Calamari can be ordered as a starter or main course, and either deep-fried or plainly grilled. The latter brings out the seafood’s essential flavour, enhanced by a garnish of chopped tomato.

Described as a ‘sandwich’ the Welsh rarebit (£6.45) is a hearty double slice of beautifully melted cheese spiked with relish or mustard and served on excellent wholegrain bread (or white, if you prefer) – a fine savoury dish to set you up on even the coldest day. There are six pasta dishes, with a penne Montanara (£9.95) boasting a rich and creamy sauce of bacon, mushrooms, chicken and Parmesan. It's very satisfying and a generous portion.

Desserts (£1.95-£5.45) are all freshly made with a choice of cakes (lemon and almond, chocolate fudge and many more), fresh fruit and ice cream. The chocolate brownie is just right, not overly chocolatey but with a lovely gooey centre. Waffles, with vanilla ice cream and golden syrup or chocolate sauce have an appealingly chewy texture. The jars of giant cookies look equally inviting.

The Drink
Coffee (from £1.95) manifests itself as espressos, cappucinos, mochachinos, Americanos and a whole host of other enticing options. Flavourings like almond, caramel, vanilla or hazelnut make things more interesting, and you can even have a cappucino with Nutella chocolate spread. Several teas are available as well as hot chocolate with marshmallows, which is deliciously indulgent. Cold drinks (from £1.95) include iced coffee and iced tea, milkshakes, soft drinks, juices, organic lemonade, ginger beer and smoothies. There are three house wines, red, white and rose, at £4.15 a glass or £16 a bottle. The red is a fine, fruity and drinkable wine. There are also beers, Champagne and Pimm’s (by the glass or jug).

The Last Word
Fego provides a welcome change from the regular coffee shops around town. It has a personality of its own which is expressed in the range of quality food and drinks on offer. This is one chain to watch.

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