Tuesday 30 April 2013

Cork the Bill

 Neat bill holder at ASK pizza restaurant

Monday 29 April 2013

Out Now

Allegra's 2013 London Coffee Guide - "the definitive guide to the best independent coffee venues in London."

Saturday 27 April 2013

Bottles are Back

Guest Spot
Small retro milk bottle caught colleague Charles' eye at the Great North Hotel's bar off Kings Cross station. The somewhat conventional cup, saucer and teapot was noted.

Friday 26 April 2013

Roast Your Own

The London Coffee Festival at the old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane was buzzing.  This small and portable coffee bean roasting machine (cost circa £10k) caught the eye.
Will we see more cafes differentiate themselves by flooding the senses with freshly-roast coffee?
 If you fancy roasting your own beans at home this micro-roaster might be for you.


Thursday 25 April 2013

Let Us Eat

 Nutella crepe bar at the Vatican Museum, Rome

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Salad Days

  • Hoisin Duck No Bread £3.75 and 144 calories
  • Sesame Chicken & Noodle Salad £4.85 and 329 calories
  • Smoked Salmon & Sweet Pickle Salad £4.50 and 481 calories
  • Greens & Grains No Bread £3.75 and 293 calories 


Tuesday 23 April 2013

Pies on Sticks


We had cakes on sticks several years ago - http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/cakes-on-sticks.html - now it's pies on sticks.  Carol Hilker's new book Pie Pops has the low down.

Monday 22 April 2013

Ice Cream Cup Cakes

Greggs' ice cream cup cakes

Saturday 20 April 2013

Blaming Your Tools

Guest Spot
Ever wondered how the Italians prepare courgettes with a hole?!  You try stuffing a zucchini without the right implement.  This corer is the only way to do the job. Thanks Maurizio for finding one.

Thursday 18 April 2013

Clear Message

Clearly a fruit juice cafe (in Rome).

Wednesday 17 April 2013

When in Rome


Wine from the vat
 Courgette flowers and artichokes in season (April)

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Apple Pie plus Chips

Apple pie muffin with chocolate chips at Rome's airport.

Monday 15 April 2013

Clever Touches

The Ludlow Food Centre has a new cafe, the Ludlow Kitchen, with some fun finishing touches.  The Scrabble 'Reserved' sign is inspired.   My colleague Charles Manners is rightly proud of his non-executive connection.

Friday 12 April 2013

Eat Beautiful

 Itsu have just announced a 20-site expansion in London, up from the current 38 locations  They are certainly one to watch with Pret's Julian Metcalfe in the driving seat.
 In-store flowers and story!
 Eat Beautiful is the message with lots of low-fat, low-carb, low-calorie recipes.

Thursday 11 April 2013

The 94p Latte

A short break in Rome wakes me up to the Italian tradition and price of their morning coffee on the move.  €1.10 (under a quid) for a cappuccino or latte.  Fair enough it is drunk standing up and it is served fast and furious.  Quite what Italians make of our £2.50 (€3) take-out coffees I do not know.  Even the Vatican Museum cafe offered excellent value.

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Lemon Curd Slice

 EAT tries out lemon curd slices

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Balthazar Beauties

 Quiche
 Salads
Cakes and perfect looking scones

Monday 8 April 2013

No Nuts

 You can guarantee nut-free traybakes by buying in items from It's Nut Free http://itsnutfree.com/



Saturday 6 April 2013

Cup of Chandelier

Guest Spot
Sue McCracken, the National Trust for Scotland's passionate catering boss, sends in a fun chandelier posted on a friend's Facebook page - inspiration comes from many directions nowadays.

Friday 5 April 2013

Award Winning Insomnia

Insomnia are one of the biggest coffee/cafe brands in Ireland with 60 units and they have just started franchising.  They seem to have cracked the tea drinkers as well.  Real leaf tea in biodegradable pouches - several UK chains could learn a lesson or two.

Thursday 4 April 2013

Take Your Seats

 Quirky seats and hanging light fittings at Tinderbox in the City.

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Double Loaded

Fudge topped Brownie at Konditor & Cook

Tuesday 2 April 2013

What's Yours?

Price list visual at Taylor St Baristas in the City.

Monday 1 April 2013

What We All Need

Nais Q10 'anti-ageing' drink with the same stuff that is in anti-wrinkle skincare products.  You may send me a wagon-load.