Update: Caco & Co has closed down.
Sometimes I feel like I don’t really explore my own neighbourhood. After being cancelled last minute on a Saturday, I thought I should then spend my day discovering nearby local spots. I walked down the road that I don’t usually take on daily and after a good 10-15 minutes walk, I came across Caco & Co.
Caco & Co: Little Piece of Portugal in Shepherds Bush
Caco & Co is a Portuguese cafe down Askew Road in Shepherds Bush. The bright setting and comfortable outdoor seating are what first caught my eye. The interior is really spacious, with plenty of natural light shining through during the day.
If you’re only in for a coffee and pastry, there’s a display of all the delicious pastries in the middle of the place to pick up and pay at the counter. For a sit-down meal, the staff will gladly be taking you to a table and serving you.
The Food: What I Ordered
After getting seated comfortably along with the sofa seats, I was handed the brunch menu. The menu offers classic brunch items such asย eggs benedict, french toast, avocado toast, etc. And being a Portuguese cafe, they of course also offer a range of Portuguese classics, including lots of seafood dishes, tapas dishes, classic platters, as well as prego sandwiches. The meats aren’t halal but Caco & Co serves Portuguese cuisine, which means there are plenty of seafood options to choose from. Here is what I ordered:
Bacalhau Com Natas (ยฃ9.90)
The dried and salted cod is a real classic in Portuguese cuisine. I missed that rich savoury flavour from this Portuguese staple so I decided to go for Bacalhau and this comes in a hot creamy dish. The salted cod baked pie was still sizzling and bubbling upon serving, and the aroma just filled the table.
It smelled exquisite and certainly tasted just as good. It’s a very rich and fulfilling sensation with potatoes & cream. Everything was beautifully seasoned to complement the natural savoury taste of the bacalhau. It’s fish pie in a much better version than the typical English ones.
Pastel de Natas & Flat White Coffee (ยฃ3)
After that richย Bacalhau com Natas, I managed to take a little breath to let it all settle in my stomach and go for aย Pastel de Nata to wrap up the meal (how could I not!).ย First of all, I really liked their plates and mugs. There is thick heatproof cushioning especially on the cup. It’s not the usual coffee cup but it’s certainly cute. Taste-wise, it was all decent. Not the best but pretty fair and good.
Summary
All in all, I really enjoyed my impromptu visit to Caco & Co. It was a lovely discovery around the neighbourhood and I totally see myself popping in every now and then with my laptop to spend an afternoon there. I am definitely keen to try out more dishes from them. If you guys happen to be around the area, do pop in Caco & Co for a taste of Portugal and some chilled & quiet moments!
RATING:
Halal Status
Caco & Co does not serve halal meats. Seafood & vegetarian options are available.ย
Tel: 020 8749 6834
Website: www.caco-co.com/
Nearest station: Shepherds Bush Market / Goldhawk Road