Angie’s Cafe in Chiswick offers customers an inviting atmosphere and artistic setting to connect over a delicious meal. From the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th Centuries, to the modern experience of our cafe in Chiswick, there is nothing more beautiful than communing with others over a delicious meal. Cafes and food have historically influenced social gatherings, religious affairs and scholastic connections – and Angie’s is no different.
Cafes began as coffee houses and evolved into the establishments, like ours, that we know and love today. They fuelled revolutionary ideas or simply provided a space of comfort and camaraderie. Angie’s Cafe has the same significance, with our delicious local coffee brew, and artistic decor – not to mention an enlightening and inviting atmosphere. So, if you are on the hunt for a spot with some historic value and a magnificent menu, you don’t have to look much further than the town of Chiswick and our cafe.
In this short read, we will walk through the chronology and significance of cafes and the relationships they facilitate. We then get into how Angie’s Cafe in Chiswick offers you that same experience. Without further ado, let’s jump into the fascinating origins and cultivation of cafes.
The Unorthodox Origins Of Coffee Houses
Coffee houses are most commonly attributed to the Ottoman Empire. Due to its large Muslim population, who could not frequent bars, an alternative place needed to be established. Coffee houses were then formed as the place to gather and socialise in the same way you would at a bar. However, they were also spaces that prompted discourse, political debates, and new ideas. The Sultans at the time were not in favour of the power this could yield – the affordability of coffee and the egalitarian undertones in a society of hierarchy were seen as impertinent – and the simple act of drinking coffee eventually became illegal in the 15th century.
Sultan Murad IV was the one to decree this law, as his brother and uncle had been killed by revolutionaries who were said to frequent cafes. He went as far as to stalk the streets in disguise and allegedly decapitated coffee drinkers with a hundred-pound broadsword. In the centuries that followed, there was a ban and retraction of coffee houses throughout the Ottoman Empire, but unfortunately for the royalty overseas, it was too late. Coffee houses had spread to Europe and were just as feared by the Kings as they were by the Sultans.
London’s Budding Cafe Culture
Coffee houses manifested in London in 1652, influenced by the Ottoman Empire, and were seen as a place for connection, revolution, writing and discourse. This was extremely controversial at the time – to be seated as equals in a place of gathering was considered rather radical. So radical in fact, that King Charles II was dead set on the closure of all coffee houses, resulting in a short ban that lasted only eleven days.
The very first of these formidable coffee houses supposedly turned up in Oxfordshire, opened by a Turkish man named Jacob – followed swiftly by another erected in Cornhill by Pasqua Rosee. The very thing that King Charles II feared came to fruition in the months and years that followed. Coffee houses in London and Oxford were all the rage and scholastic conversations were held over hot cups of coffee. Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre wrote some of their most controversial work in the Paris cafe they frequented.
Moreover, similarly influential scholars and philosophers conducted their work and communal teachings in British cafes. At Will’s Coffee House, poets like Jonathan Swift, John Dryden, and Alexander Pope held court. The Grecian Coffee House was home to members of the Royal Society, such as Isaac Newton – who was said to have dissected a dolphin on the tables of the coffee house.
With over 550 coffee houses in London by the 18th Century, society began to drastically change. Not only was it socially revolutionised, but the institution of coffee houses impacted the economy too. Lloyd’s Coffee House became the hub where major shipping deals were conducted. Before this, Jonathan’s Coffee House had rooted itself as the designated place of London’s stock exchange. It was apparent that coffee houses and cafes broke societal norms and influenced the ruling and economic class too.
Angie’s Cafe In Chiswick: From The Old To The New
Holistically, cafe culture started with coffee houses and evolved into what are now known as modern cafes. These days, cafes are less of a political symbol, however, they hold just as much egalitarian value. You eat and drink with friends and family, or sit down for a light snack on your lunch break – and others at tables around you do the same.
You can work in cafes in the same way artists and poets did during the Age of Enlightenment. Women can frequent cafes with more rights and freedoms. There is just as much community value in cafes as there once was with coffee houses, and with Angie’s being a beloved local cafe in Chiswick – with a local coffee supplier – we embody that same quest for connection and community.
Angie’s Cafe is the enlightened idea of Angie Steele, an accomplished culinary chef and business owner. Angie kickstarted her cafe in Chiswick in 2013, inspired by her experience working with chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton. Since then Angie’s has built up a massive following of loyal customers thanks to our delicious meals and inclusive, artistic atmosphere.
We strive to be your home away from home, serving a delectable all-day brunch menu with phenomenal eggs Benedict and Florentine as a crowd favourite. You can also trust that all of our ingredients are supplied fresh and sourced locally, and even our coffee shares our communal values. Our coffee is supplied by Roasting Party, a passionate local coffee supplier. Their blends deliver something that is consistently bold but never bitter.
So, whether you are looking for a cup of quality coffee or a satisfying meal, Angie’s has it all. There is something for everyone, vegan, vegetation, meat-loving and gluten-free alike. No matter your diet, social standing, or whether you come alone or with company, Angie’s is a place for you to enjoy. We also have a lovely selection of cocktails for you to peruse if coffee is not your first choice.
Cafe Chiswick: Menu
Angie’s Cafe in Chiswick offers a myriad of comfort food, fine dining and healthy options to choose from on our menu. We are most known for our brunch selection, as such, our menu caters more towards breakfast food options. However, we provide a wide selection and there is sure to be something you are curious to try! Our brunch array has everything from your favourite classics to more unique and curated options.
Besides the classic eggs benedict, Angie’s also offers avocado toast, scrambled eggs on toast, as well as toasted banana bread. If you are looking for something more adventurous then you should try our eggs florentine or grilled courgette and gruyere bread. These are delicious and unique recipes made in-house by our skilled and passionate chefs.
However, if you are more in the mood for lunch options as opposed to breakfast, we have just as wonderful of a selection for you to choose from. Our ALFS Fried Buttermilk Chicken Burger is a unique and mouthwatering choice. It is made with a brioche bun, jalapeño mayo, coleslaw and served with french fries. It is a culinary delight and sure to be a memorable meal. If you are looking for more of a healthy option, or something vegetarian, then Angie’s salads will satiate your needs.
As stated earlier, Angie’s serves locally supplied and sublime coffee, along with a few alcohol options. We have sparkling, red, white and rose wines for you to choose from. We also have a variety of cocktail options. Angie’s also has beer on tap if you prefer an alternative to wine or cocktails. We also have non-alcohol cooldrinks and hot drinks for you to choose from in addition to coffee. Needless to say, no matter your preference, we have a wide selection.
Our menu offers something for everyone, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike. Additionally, a plethora of gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and meat options are all available. We offer a cafe culture that is ultimately timeless, so don’t wait! Pop in at Angie’s to see our full menu and enjoy our great food, delicious drinks and accommodating company.
Angie’s Catering Services
Alongside our cafe, Angie’s also operates as a platter delivery service so you can recreate the magic at your own event. We deliver anywhere on the M25 in London, straight from our cafe in Chiswick. You can trust that the same amount of care and curation that has been put into the catering business as with our cafe. The same local fresh produce is used, and prepared by our excellent chefs. Our platters are not only fresh and delicious, but also aesthetic and filling. No matter what event you are hosting, we can ensure your guests will be impressed and satiated with our platters.
We have meat, fish, salad, dessert and breakfast platters amongst many others. If you would like to take a closer look at our platter options, you can view our menu online. Once you peruse our menu, ordering is simpler than ever. You simply add your choice to the basket, choose a date and time, and Angie’s will deliver your platters within a 30-minute window of your chosen time. You can order anywhere up to 4 weeks in advance and 48 hours beforehand. With a simple click, you can take the timeless cafe culture and experience it at your events with a culinary elevation.
Pop In At Angie’s Cafe: Chiswick
Head on over to Angie’s and experience this timeless charm for yourself! Come connect with others or enjoy your own company at a sensational cafe in a historic town. Step in any day of the week for some coffee, meals or drinks – or reach out to us for a special occasion via a form on our website. Get in contact with Angie’s and enjoy our cafe or catering services today!
