Monday 30 April 2012

Oriental Inspiration

Pastries with a difference at the Japan Centre - some of these could really appeal given the reassuring ingredients - substitute 'pastry' for 'bread' and you would be away.
Apple & Almond Bread - excellent apple and custard filling
Cappuccino Bread
Green Tea Melon Pan - green tea pastries are starting to appear but this might be a harder sell.

Sunday 29 April 2012

Will Stainless become trendy?

Great loose-leaf tea and old fashioned mis-matched china at Foxcroft & Ginger's cafe in Berwick Street - the cafe that uses pummel horses as tables.  I love the quirkiness of the place.  And yet the milk comes in a stainless steel jug!  They do say that every trend comes full circle.

Saturday 28 April 2012

Rice Cakes

Another clever transfer from Julian Metcalfe's Itsu operation to mainstream Pret - chocolate covered rice cakes.  Will they follow popcorn and go nationwide?
See our post about rice burgers http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/rice-burgers.html

Friday 27 April 2012

Ultimate Hot Chocolate?

Paul A Young's chocolate shop in Soho
The add-in spices add that touch of something special
Ginger, Green Cardamom, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper Chilli


Thursday 26 April 2012

Pram & Bears

Childrens' selection at the right height with appealing bears and a wonderful old pram for the hula hoops
Stables Cafe at Holkham in north Norfolk
See our Kids Photo Board for more examples of child-friendly cafe presentation http://pinterest.com/turpinsmale/great-cafes-kids/ 

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Rice Burgers

Clever and tasty rice burger at the Japan Centre
Two patties of sticky brown or white rice with lettuce, onion, nori seaweed, teriyaki sauce, mayo and a choice of fillings.
Easily microwaved

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Variety is the Spice of Life

The humble sausage roll is now getting the 'varieties' treatment - Moroccan Spiced or Classic at L'eau a la Bouche deli & cafe in Broadway Market.

See our Pinterest Great Cafes Photo board for more examples of savouries http://pinterest.com/turpinsmale/great-cafes-savouries/

Monday 23 April 2012

Cheap Seats

Didn't we once throw these out?! - Market Cafe, Broadway Market
I swear these were the most uncomfortable town hall chairs from yesteryear - now centre stage at Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen in the City
Outside perches at Leila's Cafe & Shop in Shoreditch

See our Tables & Chairs Pinterest Photo board for more examples.

Sunday 22 April 2012

Violet Cakes

Lemon Squares & Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies at Violet Cakes - a Californian bakery cafe in East London
You cannot help but feel part of the baking action
Whoopie Pie's


Saturday 21 April 2012

Ear Plugs but no Coffee

Cafe Oto is part of the Arcola Theatre in Hackney
Nightmare for a cafe
Love the Ear Plugs for 50p



Friday 20 April 2012

Afghan Biscuit

A Kiwi import/favourite made with cornflakes and chocolate at The Liberty of Norton Folgate cafe in Bishopsgate.
One of the narrowest cafes you are likely to come across and part of the Coffeesmiths Collective - Speakeasy and Department of Social Affairs.

Thursday 19 April 2012

Simple Things, Better

Hugo Warner's latest all day Market Cafe in Broadway Market.  His mantra of 'Simple Things, Better' is spot on.


Wednesday 18 April 2012

Cafe Howlers

The Seasonal Muffin with no mention of what it might be - banana season?
We try never to identify the howlers and for more examples see http://pinterest.com/turpinsmale/cafe-howlers/
Happy to receive and publish examples you see!

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Picnic Time

Picnic boxes are becoming much more fun. The Picnic Box Company produce a lightweight, recyclablebio-degradable take away picnic box, incorporating a fixed integral tablecloth.  http://picnicboxco.co.uk/
Create, the social enterprise caterer, are proud of their new design 


Monday 16 April 2012

Grand Prix Cup Cakes

Coffee Cup Cake by Carrie at Aspire Hospitality's Silverstone base



Sunday 15 April 2012

Colourful Cubes

Marshmallow cubes at Delaunay - clever idea -  colourful and cheap to produce

Saturday 14 April 2012

Impressive Staff

Pret set a standard
Levy Restaurants are going to make a difference to Compass
Perhaps the suggested 16%, 18% or 20% gratuity (in New York) would help?!

Friday 13 April 2012

Bike Friendly

Chained up outside a bike shop - a pump.  A useful facility for any cafe wanting to attract cyclists and show that they care.

Thursday 12 April 2012

Two Styles of Deal

Dobbies Garden Centre plays 'Soup & Sandwich' straight
Tossed's somewhat more fetching 'Half wrap & mini soup'

Wednesday 11 April 2012

Self Service Tutti Frutti

Self-service frozen yogurt at Tutti Frutti in Covent Garden - "the largest frozen yogurt brand in the world"
Instructions
Health benefits of their soybean yogurt

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Fishy Business

Squid in Barcelona's market
Fish finger roll at A.Gold, Spitalfields
Salted cod display, Barcelona
Fish in ice for a buffet display