Bautier

Who is Marina Bautier? More designer than barista, if Apartamento magazine and a 20-year career crafting pure, minimalist designs, enhancing oak and designing the perfect guest bed is anything to go by. Except that displaying her woodwork creations on the ground floor of a typical house in the municipality of Forest was no longer enough apparently – she wanted people to be able to experience them in situ too. So here they are, harmoniously integrated into a small cafeteria space, simply equipped with a kitchenette-counter, self-designed tables and Mogensen J39 chairs. On the menu adorned with an illustrated logo from graphic designer Gianluca Cannizzo, there are a few options to help you kick start your day (homemade scones with butter and jam or scrambled eggs and ricotta, homemade granola with yogurt), a dish of the week and two sandwich options at lunch. We opted for a generous portion of chickpea and coconut milk stew, with cavolo nero and yogurt, perfectly seasoned with turmeric and fresh mint, and served with sourdough focaccia. Before leaving, we grabbed a magazine over in the boutique section, a slice of delish vegan chocolate cake, a flat white and some wonderfully airy focaccia – made by the designer herself, and the recipe is even available on her website. Marina Bautier clearly is a jack of all trades. // Laszlo Dela

FEELING THIRSTY? Classic stimulants (espresso, latte, cappuccino… €2.30 to €4), iced matcha latte (€4.80) or Rish kombucha (original or ginger, €4.50). Still water is free, but Spa sparkling water isn’t (€2.80 for 250 ml).

PRICE: Small plates €5-8 (all day long), main €14 € (€12 to take away), focaccia sandwiches €10 (€8 to take away), cakes €4.