Published in The Herts Advertiser, Jan 2019
Catherine Street in St Albans is a bit of a local’s secret. Just a few steps from St Peter’s church and the war memorial, it is home to some very good independent food businesses. I’m not sure many visitors to St Albans would find it, but locals know to head there for good value, interesting food.
Lawes & Sons Butchers took over from A&C Meats recently, and just up the road is funky Craft & Cleaver, with a good bar and popular barbecue menu. Fishy Plaice and The Meating Room are affordable indies, good at what they do. There are two very good cafes; the Street Cafe is excellent, with great cakes and lunches. But today I want to focus on Cafe on the Corner, with its distinctive green doorway.
I have been to Cafe on the Corner many times; it is light and spacious, and has an arty vibe, with greetings cards and art on the walls for sale. The hanging baskets in the back room are a fun, kitsch touch, and the tables have fresh flowers. I had a very good vegetarian breakfast recently, with a veggie sausage, grilled tomato, mushrooms, egg, halloumi, spinach and toast, for 5.50. That has to be the best value locally, and the quality is excellent. The menu is very up-to-date, and you can get oat milk porridge, smoothies, and smashed pea and mint on sourdough (great vegan option), or just a round of toast. I want to go back and try the huevos rancheros too; fried tortilla with black beans, fried egg, feta and chilli (5.00!). Bacon and sausages are available and are supplied by neighbours Lawes & Sons. Their delicious bread is supplied by Redbournbury Mill.
My most recent visit was for a midweek lunch, and the menu was perfect for a chilly day, with soups, toasties and jacket potatoes. Again, the prices are excellent. I chose a baked potato with mixed bean chilli, which came with a nice side salad of rocket. There was bit of confusion as I asked for the sweet potato option, and got a white one, but I didn’t really mind, I was only trying to be healthy – the chilli was very tasty and half the price of one I’d had in a pub recently. My partner’s carrot and lentil soup was delicious, and he ordered a cheese toastie to go with it. I don’t usually mention crockery, but I really liked their vintage-style blue plates and green glassware. My green zinger smoothie was freshly made, and a great January boost.
I like the changing, seasonal menu; much of the produce used in the cafe is from the Seeds of Nurture allotment, where Camphill Trust support people with disabilities to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers.
The cafe is well-known for its cakes, and you can just pop in for coffee, tea and something home-baked, but it closes at 4 so get there early. Opening times are 9-4 (10.30 on Tuesdays) and it’s closed on Sundays and Mondays. Coffee is excellent and is supplied by Hertford Coffee Lab, who roast their own beans.
I noticed that Cafe on the Corner hosts various classes and groups too; Glaze Time Ceramics, MIND and Spanish lessons for a start!
It is a busy, buzzy cafe that makes everything from scratch using excellent ingredients. I am almost reluctant to tell you about it as it isn’t very big! Hopefully we can all squeeze in.
Becky Alexander St Albans food 