Cork the Bill

 Neat bill holder at ASK pizza restaurant

Out Now

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

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.

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.

Let Us Eat

 Nutella crepe bar at the Vatican Museum, Rome

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 

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.

Ice Cream Cup Cakes

Greggs' ice cream cup cakes

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.

Clear Message

Clearly a fruit juice cafe (in Rome).

When in Rome

Wine from the vat

 Courgette flowers and artichokes in season (April)

Apple Pie plus Chips

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

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.

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.

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.

Lemon Curd Slice

 EAT tries out lemon curd slices

Balthazar Beauties

 Quiche

 Salads

Cakes and perfect looking scones

No Nuts

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

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.

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.

Take Your Seats

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

Double Loaded

Fudge topped Brownie at Konditor & Cook

What's Yours?

Price list visual at Taylor St Baristas in the City.

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.