Pophams - Islington
Pretty Good and it's definitely on and...
Opening Ramble:
As some of y’all might have guessed, I get my food recommendations from two main sources, people #IRL and Instagram. Not to say I just take recs from any Tom, Dick and Jane, especially with Instagram, there’s too many fraudsters about. But if the two marry up and I consistently hear and see wonderful things, the appetite gets whetted. Such was the case with Pophams Bakery (Islington Branch).1 When you can make granola, as well as the buttery treats look delicious, you know your craft. Whether that craft is social media AND baking, that’s something I knew I had to investigate. Having been Instagram trapped before, check out my previous post for an Instagram Taco trap, I warily entered Pophams .2 So let’s find out if Pophams was a professional outfit or poseur below!
The Order (dishes as described on the menu):
Food
Ham and Cheese Roll
£6.25 Rating : 9.1/10
The Toastie
Pastrami, Double Gloucester, pickles, onions, deli mustard
£9.5 Rating : 8.4/10
Cardamon Knot
£5.0 Rating : 9.4/10
Drinks
Chai Latte
£3.80 Rating : 8.4/10Latte
£3.50 Rating : 8.7/10
Total Bill incl tip: £28.05
Overall Rating: 8.8/10
Review:
The Vibe
I really enjoyed the vibe at Pophams. While the building was fairly bare, the lighting and accents of warm colours created a calm and cozy atmosphere. Perfect vibes to escape the winter blitz we were being bombarded with. Less was truly more at Pophams. It makes sense they know how to appropriately decorate, since they had a quite lovely home store right next to the bakery. Once I win the lottery, I’ll be rolling through their shop.3
I also appreciated the fact they had indoor and outdoor seating that could actually have customers stay and enjoy the vibe. Unlike other bakeries that offer perfunctory seating options, i.e. stools designed to turn your ass numb after 2 minutes.4
The key thing about Pophams that really struck a chord with me was the staff. They were amazing. Very kind and willing to offer advice on what to order depending on our tastes. Very prompt service that was also friendly. It was a masterclass in customer service, attentive but not on you. It really left an impression and made me want to come back.
The Food
The Ham and Cheese Roll
Crunch! That was the main takeaway from this roll. The perfect savoury, buttery crunchy bite. The pastry crust provided the rich buttery crunch element. This was then built upon by the generous amounts of caramelized cheese on top and leaking teasingly out of the roll. It provided that extra savoury and crunchy oomph to really take it to the next level. It was deliciously cheesy, the cheddar offseting the hammy sweetness. It was one of the more brilliant interpretations of the humble ham and cheese roll. Honestly no notes. I’m not even sure how they would improve. Maybe some cholula hot sauce ? But that’s just me being greedy, as is my want.
The Toastie
The conditions were almost perfect for the pastrami toastie to succeed. It was freezing cold. I had just finished a very long museum date. I had skipped breakfast because I was in a rush in the morning. So I was tired, cold and most importantly FAMISHED. It was a classic deli sandwich that so many have messed up in England so I didn’t have high hopes. I just wanted something warm and carb heavy. The toastie, thankfully, took full advantage of said conditions and thrived.5 The thick slices of pastrami paired with the sharp mustard like Yorke and Cole in 98/99. The Double Gloucester provided a nice mellow note that went well with the perfectly toasted/fried sandwich. The onions however, were slightly missing in the action; I think they were just too thin to put up any type of fight against the bolder flavours. It’s a shame because their sweetness would have been a lovely added note to this symphony of meat, mustard and cheese. An additional missing bit of deliciousness was the slices of pastrami. While generous, I like my pastrami to be really peppery and really fatty. That way you get the luxurious salty beef along with some spicy heat. That wasn’t really evident with the toastie. This didn’t dampen proceedings too much but it did prevent me going any higher than 8.5/10. I still think it was a great sandwich and I look forward to trying more of their toasties.
The Cardamon Knot
Quite simply the best cardamon dessert I’ve ever had. I’m Indian and I’m saying that. I love Baklava and I’m saying that. This is what people tell you Fabrique is, but in reality it cannot hold a pod up to Popham’s knot. It is nigh on impossible to get the right level of cardamom flavour in desserts; too subtle and your left wanting more, too powerful and your mouth is awash with an almost medicinal taste. That fine line is an incredibly thin tightrope but Pophams are walking backwards whilst doing backflips on said rope. Combine that with the browned butter, which provides a nutty, rich and deep flavour, baby you got a stew going.6 It’s one of the best things I’ve put in my mouth ever.7 It’s one of those dishes where my cravings are kicking in writing about it. Damn I wish I lived closer to a Pophams, I’m seriously jonesing for one now. Go get one, you’ll probably see me there salivating and/or tearing into it depending on your time of arrival.
The Drinks
The Latte
Y’all know the drill by now, I’m not a super coffee fiend. My partner is however and said it was a great cup of coffee. For me, it was too strong so I can believe that for coffee folks, it was a perfect cup of joe. It still maintained a creamy finish at the end however, and maybe with a bit of sugar, I would even drink it. That’s HIGH praise coming from myself.
The Chai Latte
One thing I can always opine on however is Chai. While I can take or leave Lattes, usually leave, I love myself a cheeky chai latte. Even a mid Chai latte can still get me going. Thankfully the Popham’s Chai is above mid! A great smooth, creamy and perfectly spiced hot drink. My only issue, and sadly this is a common one, is the decoration of spices most establishments put on top. They treat it like powered chocolate on a latte. One key difference however is that spices have wildly different textures and one of the spices used was cinnamon. There’s a whole challenge dedicated to how difficult and unpleasant it is to swallow cinnamon by itself. So why do people still keep putting it on top of foam??!?!?! It’s great in the drink, not on it. Okay, rant over. It was nice, I’d order it again and just take off the spices with a spoon, because I don’t want to be a bother :)
Conclusion
I had such a great time at Pophams. One of my favourite bakery experiences ever. It’s so rare that a bakery has a relaxed, comforting seating situation inside and outside. Even rarer to combine a helpful and friendly staff with great baked goods. I’m pleased to report Popham’s juggles all of the above brilliantly. This was in the dead of winter too, imagine what a great time you can have on a lovely summer’s morn. People of East and North London are lucky lucky folks, they have this brilliance so much closer than I do.8
I keep highlighting the branch because these kind of bakeries vary so much location to location.
For more details on the Sonora Instagram trap click on the link to see my review of that “taqueria”
I’m not saying I need to win the lottery to shop there. I need to win the lottery to afford a house in London for the stuff to go in
It’s all about footfall, looking at you blank street
Like Arsenal’s attackers taking advantage of Liverpool’s defensive woes on Sunday
Shoutout to Carl Weathers
Play
Not often anyone says the people of North LDN are lucky folks, that’s how good this place is !