Need a central London shop that sells La Cafetiere Products - can you help ?
 

This is a request for the help of London-based Fodorites in finding a centrally-located London shop that sells La Cafetiere products, specifically their Duro model (in 3 cup and 8 cup sizes).

The Duro is essentially an all plastic version of what is variously called a cafetiere, a French press or a Bodum. The plastic model is very convenient for coffee-making while travelling, and avoids the risk of breaking the all-glass beaker that these things usually have.

I have contacted the manufacturer who have found a shop in Notting Hill which will do at a pinch. But I thought Fodrites might have some other suggestions. I can't believe that inall of London, there is only one shop that carries this model!

Many thanks

Don't know off the top of my head but did a quick google search and there's an online company called redmonkeycoffee.com that sells the range. Would that be any good to you?

Try one of the "Divertimenti" shops(started by Elizebeth David) My friend worked in the Marylebone branch. You could google, they have an on line shopping.

Thanks all the replies so far.

Tallulah, I am actually looking for a physical shop, not an on-line one as the ones I have tried so far (including redmonkey) do not ship to North America. So my plan is to go to a real shop and pick them up on my next trip to London in a couple of week's time.

Cigalechanta, thanks for the suggestion of Divertimenti - if they have a physical presence that sells the Duro line, that would be great.

Sorry Curious, wasn't sure where you were!

Thanks again - I looked at the on-line Divertimenti shop but it only mentione the traditional glass cafetieres. I'll email the shops direct. Thanks again !

If push comes to shove Amazon UK has them at http://www.amazon.co.uk/

La Cafetiere's website has a list of suppliers: visit www.lacafetiere.com

And Amazon.uk will ship internationally too ! Thanks MissPrism. If all else fails, this is what I will do.

If you live in the US, I'd check out a Whole Foods Market near you. They do sell various French presses, mostly the Bodum brand. The selection varies store by store so it's best to call first and see if they have the plastic version.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff - I have checked all the local stores (both virtual and real)and none of them carry the plastic version. I guess they'd rather have us breaking the glass beadkers and buying replacements ! There are no Whole Food Markets in my area, either.

There's a kitchen store along the King's Rd between Sloane Square and Chelsea Old Town Hall that sells jsut about every brand of coffee maker! My mind is a total blank right now..I just cannot remember the name! But it's on the left hand side of the street walking from Sloane Sq..It's a large shop front with windows full of coffee makers and equipment!

Thank you Doonhammer - I have actually been in correspondence with La Cafetiere and it was from them I got the names of two shops in London selling the Duro model - one in Notting Hill and the other way out in Chiswick. I was convinced that Fodorites could come up with other sources, and I am right !

Jody, thanks for the coordinates of the Chelsea shop, I will put it on the list of places to try.

Many thanks all. I really appreciate your attention to my trivial problem.

Coffee? Trivial? Perish the thought.

You might find it in Selfridges, the huge dept. store on Oxford Street. They sell just about everything.

I passed by that Kings Road shop Friday and they did have a good selection; I will be there again on Tuesday and will look to see if they carry the model you want.
Will also look in Selfridges and a few of the other usual suspects as I will be on Bond Street as well (HOORAY--while cleaning this morning I found a long lost £149 store credit slip for Nicole Farhi that expires on December 14, so I have to get down there posthaste, as we leave Saturday morning for a few weeks in Belgium and Germany and don't get back til after the 14th).
Anyway, will look around and see who's carrying it (if anyone) and what they're charging.

BTilke you are just super. Thank you so much. I envy you your gift certificate !

A definite "no" for Selfridges and John Lewis. Glass models only.
I didn't make it to Kings Road today, but will be going back on Thursday and will definitely hit the Kings Road area then.
I screwed up my Nicole Farhi store credit today...instead of bringing the store credit slip (not a gift certificate) as I was rushing to leave the house, I grabbed a similar looking but entirely useless (for this occasion) receipt from the Sofitel in Brussels. I have to use the store credit by the end of this week or forfeit it, so it's back to London Thursday. I will check with the Divertimenti on Brompton Road near Harrod's. I've been in there before and know they carry a lot of coffeemakers and related items. Will give them a phone call tomorrow.

Despite the Farhi mix-up, it was a lovely afternoon in London...a beautiful sunset, fun shopping (mostly window shopping) on Bond Street, etc., admiring the Christmas decorations at Fortnum & Mason's, and relaxing with tea at the Wolseley.

Thank you Btilke. Lucky you to get to do the same day twice. And lucky me to have you on the qui vive for me. Thanks so much.

I had lunch at the Wolseley with friends not too long ago, and it was great fun.

Btilke, I love Nicole Farhi's women's collections and in one of my "house Porn" books on Provence is her beautiful modern home there.

I found a cardigan that's about the same price as the store credit, so will probably get that. Although I would like to see her Home store, as the store credit would be good there as well. She has a new fragrance line out, it's nice and light.
Speaking of Provence (going OT here, sorry!), one of my friends would like to come over this year and visit Provence...we're thinking of staying here: http://www.letresorcache-luberon.com/ any thoughts? (web site available in French only). Go to "visitez" and scroll on the little pictures at the right to see them enlarged. Looks really nice (and not expensive); the woman who runs the place seems interesting...a Belgian divorcee who renovated the mas pretty much on her own.

Divertimenti doesn't carry it. They're cutting down on their Bodum selection, according to the salesclerk I spoke with. I also asked if it could be special ordered and was told that during the Christmas shopping season, nothing can be special ordered that they don't already carry. After Christmas, maybe, but was told to go to the Bodum store. FYI, Notting Hill is fairly central London or at most a short trip by Tube, so perhaps that's your surest bet. But I will still check the King's Road shop tomorrow.

If you want to make coffee in your room, try ordering a travel bodum press. Here is a link.

http://www.jeremiahspick.com/shop/accessories-c-30.html

I have a 3 cup off-brand press that I found at Tuesday Mornings for $6. The handle feel off after several months, but I still use it daily.

Well, it was a no-go on Kings Road. Didn't see one in any of the places I checked, including the Habitat store, which carries the Chambord, Kenya and Belgian Filtre models. Unless someone else tracks one down, perhaps you'll have to go to Notting Hill.

It was a nice afternoon hunting though. Got a sweater at Farhi with my store credit, wandered around, had an early dinner, and just got home...

Thank you so much BTilke. Notting Hill it will be then, and amazon.uk if that fails.

Also thank you for the alternate source for a 3-cupper PalmettoPrincess

And thanks to all who helped out on this thread. I've learned so much!

curiousx.