Coffee Crawl Day #4: The House Kitchen & Cellar, Kenton-on-Sea

42 Kenton Rd, Kenton-on-Sea, 6191

It was an unbearably windy day in Kenton-on-Sea yesterday, but there was no way that we were going to let that deter us from finding The House Kitchen and Cellar, our next destination on the Coffee Crawl. After being led in opposing ways by the two shops where we had stopped to ask directions, we trekked through the streets, and managed to arrive after only a brief few minutes out in the elements, windswept and ready for a hot drink.

The restaurant is a stunningly decorated space, equipped with large glass doors and a view overlooking Kenton. The whole ambience of the place was as if someone had personified the concept of meditation – simple and stylish, with layered textures of white and glass creating a sense of tranquillity. The room is laid out so that customers are encouraged to browse through the wide selection of jewellery, homeware, clothing and books whilst waiting for their meals.

In addition to selling artisan coffee, they are also a family restaurant and a wine cellar, and in all aspects, the House Kitchen and Cellar did not fail to impress. This corner restaurant was jam-packed, and filled with the chatter and laughter of gathered groups of people sharing a meal together. This gave the room the charming ambience of walking through the door and into the home of a big family, being welcomed with open arms.

The coffee itself fell nothing short of perfection. The House Cellar brews their coffees with an exclusive Origin Summer blend, using beans from India’s Bibi plantation, Mexico’s Hacienda Santa Rosa plantation, and Ugandan White Nile plantation. The result is an exceptionally well-balanced coffee, with a full-bodied flavour, which is explained by the basis of Arabica coffee beans. In the coffee, there are also subtle undertones of red plum, walnut, and browned marshmallows.

The science behind the Origin Summer Blend is quite actually quite remarkable when broken down into its simplest components. The plantation in India produces Arabica beans, which are bitter with very little acidity and a high level of caffeine, whilst the Mexican beans are much sweeter mixture; with a citrus acidity and caramel undertones. Finally, the Ugandan beans bring to the table a low level of acidity with delicate berry flavours coming through. The result is a perfect balance of acidic and sweet, with hints of fruity essences.

This little gem nestled away in Kenton-on-Sea is more than worth a stop en route to your next holiday destination, and thus far, the coffee here probably reigns as the best that I’ve had on the Coffee Crawl. I loved this space, and not just because they have the perfect remedy to a caffeine craving. The whole vibe about the place was a great contribution to my experience, and I find myself wanting to go back. To sum up the review, I didn’t just like the coffee a little bit; I liked it a latté.