Maloko: The Journey has begun!

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REVIEW cafe Maloko

https://www.facebook.com/mymaloko/

 

From Cameroon to Camberwell…

 

“Bon Jour!” beamed the café owner to me as I stepped into an exciting new find on Camberwell Church Road over the Easter weekend. Maloko – meaning journey in one of the languages of Cameroon – is a delightful, arty, sit-and-watch-the-world-go-by café and creperie. It used to be the small shop selling cheeses and olives near Camberwell Grove but has been completely transformed into a cosy, atmospheric space.

 

From hearing his personal journey from Cameroon to Camberwell I would best describe Evagle as an entrepreneur. Sheer perseverance, dedication and tons of hard work have got him to where he is today. Upon arriving here in London he initially worked long hours as a market trader at various street markets. Eventually he realised he had what it takes to open up his own café.

 

I sampled the Brazilian coffee which was strong and just the right quantity. The menu is yummy sweet crepes (nutella, banana whatever you fancy really) and savoury galettes. With the added plus of gluten free varieties, this puts healthy eating at the heart of Maloko. The free taster Evagle kindly offered of the traditional lemon and sugar crepe was divine – light, sweet, warming, just perfect with the dropping temperatures outside.

 

Evagle invited me to grab some chalk and write my comments on the red painted chimney breast as others had done at the café’s launch night the evening before.  Express yourself is also part of the ethos of the cafe. He has links with the artists’ community in Camberwell which he wants to develop further. “Did you know there are actually more artists in this area than in Shoreditch?” he enthused. All the furniture in the cafe has been sourced within one mile radius of the venue. This gives the cafe an eclectic mix of styles from comfy leather armchairs to barrels for tables in one corner. Apart from the red breasted chimney the walls are white and crying out for the locals to pop in and make their mark. The floor, though, is painted with bright colours and spots and gives it the appealing home-made feel to the place

 

I will definitely be back (frequently) and recommend it without a doubt to my friends.

 

Maloko…The journey has just begun

 

Review on Maloko Facebook page 2013 by: Nicky Torode