OP here. Yeah, I arrived in 2012 and left in 2014. I also roast my own coffee, so I don't drink in cafes very often. When I wanted good espresso (no way I can afford a decent set up), there were a couple of good shops near where I worked, but they were very small and they served black espresso only :-) I am surprised, but then I should have realised that I was never hooked into mainstream coffee culture in London (which is not nearly as nerdy as I am).