Meike B.
Yelp
Argh, I would love to give more than three stars, and the cinnamon pastries alone deserve a 5+++ (even juicier than my previous faves at Fabrique, who thought such a thing was possible?!). A Danish speciality and these were massive, too, I saved half for Sunday.
I've spotted Ole & Steen pop up in several high streets recently, bought some loaves in Richmond before and decided to take a break from a busy Saturday afternoon's shopping at this latest addition to a growing number of bakeries on High Street Kensington.
Staff at this end of the counter were super helpful, there are samples of some of the goodies available to taste before you commit, you have the choice to have your loaves sliced. It all takes a while but worth it.
I'd ordered and paid my coffee and pastry before the slicing and packing commenced, optimistically presuming that the cappuccino would be ready and waiting by the time everything was sorted ...
... no such luck, I had to join another queue while nervously looking around me for a free table. Ole & Steen is a victim of its own success and should probably invest in some extra staff. All tables upstairs were taken and I ventured downstairs. It smelled, and not of food, so despite some seats on some big shared tables I quickly headed back up, carefully balancing my tray.
Ended up on bar stool facing the wall opposite the disabled toilet - not exactly hygge!
Summary, great food best enjoyed elsewhere.