The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Cafe serves up a creative and friendly space
Frogmoon Cafe in Aberdeen celebrates its two-year anniversary this spring and is gradually gaining a reputation as a cultural hub, something which was envisioned from the outset.
Shortly after opening in February 2022, owner Adam Maksymiuk told The Press And Journal that the cafe’s motto is “where fresh ideas begin” and that there were plans for art exhibitions and live music.
He and wife Ulianka, an artist in her own right, have worked hard to stick to this vision and the cafe’s stylishly industrial decor is a testament to her creative skills.
They now have a timetable of workshops and events, a rotating selection of artworks and, most impressive of all, a baby grand piano in the corner.
This has attracted a regular flow of musicians, who have turned up with everything from a sitar to a harp, and the relaxed, cultural vibe is everything Adam and Ulianka had hoped for.
On the Sunday morning that The P&J popped along, an Italian pianist was treating customers to an impromptu virtuoso performance.
This sort of thing is a regular occurrence at Frogmoon Cafe and Ulianka tries to capture such moments on camera and video to share on social media.
The cafe may be easy to miss, sitting at the foot of a block of high-rise flats opposite Nescol at 152
Gallowgate, but this only adds to its cool, urban appeal.
It’s a hidden gem, and customers are not only rewarded with a cosy and happening space, but also with consistently good food and drinks.
Consistency has been key, with Adam putting much effort into sourcing ingredients and suppliers with an emphasis on health, flavour and freshness.
One of his first challenges was to find a supplier for baked goods that didn’t include palm oil.
It proved so difficult that in the end, the only solution was to bake the cakes himself.
Both he and Ulianka are vegans and the aim was to provide a menu they could enjoy themselves.
Frogmoon Cafe has a diverse vegetarian and vegan menu with items such as the colourful Buddha Plate and Grilled Aubergine with mushrooms.
There is a range of health-giving smoothies, such as the Apple and Spinach Bliss and the intriguing Charcoal Eclipse.
There is also a hearty vegan breakfast, a variety of porridges including caramelised banana, as well as waffles which are made fresh every time.
Originally from Poland, Adam moved to the north-east in 2007.
He spent two years refurbishing a former office space to turn it into the cafe, with Ulianka responsible for the inviting interior design.
Events include everything from art classes to flower arranging as well as children’s parties with activities using UV light, Ulianka’s speciality.
Asked what kind of atmosphere they are trying to create, Ulianka said: “It’s somewhere to go and to meet people. There are not many places where people can go to do artistic things, but here they don’t have to be professional.
“Instead of sitting at home they can come and play here. They can work here too, in fact that is encouraged, with power points for laptops.
“The UV parties are so cool. They say: ‘Wow it looks so amazing!’ and make things like T-shirts and tote bags.”
Frogmoon Cafe is on Facebook and Instagram.