Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 2 and Version 1 of Poached, BR3 1AZ

Coffee shop and brunch cafe in Beckenham.

It's a small space, in a single narrow shopfront just around the corner from Beckenham Junction Station. Seating is provided for around 16 people at half a dozen small slabby wooden tables plus a shelf with stools to one side. The wooden theme is continued on a feature wall and on the service counter at the back. A large window at the front provides a view onto Beckenham's car-choked High Street.

Kake visited on a Thursday morning in March 2018. There were three other customers when I arrived around 8:30am, and a couple of others were in and out while I was there. Ambient music was playing, not too loud.

I went for the Spanish breakfast (£8.40) photo with a pot of Teapigs Earl Grey tea (£2.70).

Poached eggs had properly runny yolks, but the whites were also a little runny in places, and one of them had taken on water which gushed out onto the plate when I cut into it. The figs and grapes were a little under-ripe, and some of the grilled courgettes were a little undercooked. The bread was good, and the crushed tomatoes on top were very nicely seasoned, but I did wish there had been more than one slice of it. The ham was good quality, and a generous serving.

Service was friendly and welcoming. A carafe of mint-containing tap water was placed on the table as I sat down, and when my tea arrived it came with a pre-heated cup. No service charge was added, and I couldn't see anywhere obvious to leave a tip.

Kake's verdict: Not all the details were quite right, but overall I thought it very promising. I'd come back if I was in the area.

Accessibility: A step to get in. Toilet not checked.

See also:

• Photo of the menu as of March 2018
• TripAdvisor comments

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