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Me and my best mate had a brilliant idea. We were going to open a café that sold cocktails and cake, our favourite things (yeah, stuff the whiskers on kittens and raindrops on roses malarky). But dammit, someone has done it before we got the chance… and they’ve done it brilliantly.
Macondo is a cosy space (yes, read cramped) but there is something likeable about this fairly narrow room and its hodge podge of furniture (leather sofas, poofs and even a wicker egg chair suspended from the ceiling). Maybe it’s the fact that every surface has some kinda goodie on it; cake-stands sit aloft shelves here there and everywhere with all the traditionals (lemon drizzle, coffee and walnut, Victoria sponge) as do bowls of olives and platters of tortillas. Another shelf has gourds on it, one corner has a scramble of fairy lights and one wall of raw brickwork is covered in ‘modern’ artwork (i.e. I couldn’t tell if it had come from a gallery from the hand of an artiste, or from a fridge door from the hand of a toddler).
Cocktails are about £6/7 while cakes are £3 a wodge and food (quesadillas, aforementioned tortillas) are around £6. Sadly, I can’t tell you what the cocktails were like (I had a sensible peppermint tea) but I can tell you that they heat up your chocolate brownie if you want.
The crowd are Nathan Barley-esque Hoxtonites. Baker boy hats, overly long stripy scarves on overly cool people. But they’re all nice enough and didn’t sneer at my short scarf and ‘erbal tea so that’s ok.
Because of its wee size it’s generally packed (there’s no space for standing room, if you’re not sat down don’t bother) but Macondo is a wonderful idea and has made finding a low-key place to chill out a piece of cake. (Updated 14/12/2005)
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Macondo Address & Contact Details
- Address: Unit B2,
8-9 Hoxton Square,
Shoreditch,
London,
N1 6NU
- Nearest Tube / Rail: Old Street
Macondo Location Map & Nearby Venues
For nearby Fluid Style venues 'click and drag' on the map above. 'Zoom out' for more. For summary info 'click a pin'.
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Customer Reviews for Macondo
“Macondo is a different realm. Like the original one in One Hundred Years of Solitude, time is a continius event absolutely magic. Every body works there like in a big family house, despite it is a tiny place, and every one has an important part in the plot (included the costumers and the naughty ghost of Lady Gertrudis, wandering around and sipping the delicious cocktels...)
The little red kitchen is always spreading the best aromatic smoke of the tortillas, tacos, rousted vegetables and ready baked huge cakes; the taste of the chocolate brings to your memory the warm of your mum in your childhood.
And, meanwhile hundred of stories flout around, the walls of Macondo give you the chance to delight your site with the most multicultural art exhibittions, another kind of realm cooked for artist from the community.
This is Macondo, come and be part of it, you will be a character of this story.”
Rating:
— Wise Red Mouse, London
(24 Jul 2006)
“The great thing about Macondo is that you can go there any time of the day - they do great cakes and coffees but also their hot food is superb. Also the perfect place for girls on their own - best spot in town to read the paper or stare out of the window without having to worry about unwanted attention. ”
Rating:
— Anna van Zoest, Oxford
(05 Jan 2006)
“Macondo is one of those places you want to keep as a secret! Spending time in their cosy lounge is an overall experience. They offer a tasty mix of Spanish and Mexican food and a varied list of cocktails specialising in Margaritas. Don't miss the strawberry one... Highly recommended!!”
Rating:
— Natasha Leone, London
(20 Dec 2005)
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