Cafes | cheriecity.co.uk

Great Places to Eat Out in Glasgow

June 27, 2024 by cheriecity

Glasgow is such a fun, vibrant city for a weekend break and with such a thriving food scene, you’re guaranteed to eat well. There are plenty of exciting spots in the city centre, but you don’t want to miss the West End for cute neighbourhood cafes and top restaurants around Finnieston, Hyndland and Byres Road near the University.

Here are some recent discoveries to add to your list…

Ox and Finch

Ox and Finch is one of Finnieston’s hottest restaurants, retaining a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand for over ten years. Chef patron Jonathan MacDonald (previously head chef at Formula One) returned to his home city to open Ox and Finch in 2014 and has built on his success with popular Southeast Asian restaurant Ka Pao in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Just around the corner from Kelvingrove Park, this Sauchiehall Street bistro has a casual, urban-rustic feel with cosy leather booths and an open kitchen to watch the chefs at work. The menu is equally relaxed with well-priced, creative small plates designed for sharing. Seasonal Scottish ingredients are expertly enhanced by Mediterranean and Asian flavours.

I dined solo and enjoyed a few dishes for a light(ish) lunch. Confit duck salad, tahini dressing and pistachio dukkah was an aromatic twist on a bistro classic with tender morsels of meat, bitter leaves, fresh herbs and a crunchy pangrattato.

I also loved the rich, melt-in-the-mouth pan-fried pork belly with charred, wilted radicchio and sharp rhubarb. Somehow, I chose two dishes with bitter elements, but a rather majestic, chocolatey dessert proved to be balm for the tastebuds.

Bare Bones chocolate blancmange with malt cream and salted honeycomb was absolute bliss with contrasting gelatinous, airy and crunchy textures. It rounded off a joyful, interesting meal with friendly service – I’ll definitely be back for more!

SHUCKS

SHUCKS is a fabulous Scottish seafood bar and restaurant from the team behind Brett and Michelin-starred Cail Bruich. The two-floor eatery on leafy Hyndland Road feels glossy and new with a bold nautical palette of blue, mustard and burnt orange (reminding me of Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic). It’s unpretentious yet there’s an air of decadence with the promise of fresh lobster, oysters and Champagne from the trolley.

Head chef Shaun Haggarty’s menu showcases the finest produce from across Scotland (sourced from the Glasgow Fish Market) and flirts with Japanese, Indian and Mexican influences. I tried the lunch menu, which is excellent value with two courses for £25 or three courses for £30.

Shellfish chowder was rich and pungent and came with grilled bread and velvety brown crab butter for next level dipping. It’s rare to find a lobster roll on a set menu and this one was actually one of the best I’ve ever tasted (even if it technically included prawns). The generously-packed prawn and lobster roll was so luxurious and had a sweet, smoky flavour from the grilled corn and lango mayo. Crispy, golden tater tots finished it off perfectly!

I headed to Byres Road for dessert, but there’s a rather tempting giant pistachio profiterole, crème brûlée or affogato.

Chaakoo

Chaakoo first brought the ever popular Bombay cafe concept to central St Vincent Street in 2016 and it now has another restaurant in the West End and one in Edinburgh. It echoes the OG Dishoom in both menu and style (think sepia family portraits, smoked mirrors and cosy booths), however it’s significantly lighter on the wallet.

We managed to get a balcony table at the split-level city centre restaurant (it’s constantly busy, so booked ahead) and enjoyed an indulgent Indian feast. It’s all about family style sharing dishes with a tantalising offering of fried pakora and samosa, curries, biryani and Irani kebabs cooked in the open kitchen’s tandoor, robata and traditional khule grill.

Everything was high quality and generously-sized but the stand out dishes were the crispy fried vegetable pakora, velvety butter chicken with lots of tender, slow-cooked meat and the incredible chicken tikka smoked on whisky chips with a cooling homemade mint chutney.

Chaakoo also offers great value lunch deals with a choice of Thali trays or a grill and curry set meal – perfect for a quick bite.

Paesano Pizza

Great Italian food is easy to find in Glasgow, thanks to the enterprising spirit of the city’s large Italian community. Many arrived from mostly from Tuscany in the 1920s and set up successful businesses including ice cream parlours, cafes and pizza restaurants. The new Neapolitan pizza wave hit Glasgow, like most major cities, and is said to have been spearheaded by Paesano Pizza, whose first pizzeria opened in 2015 in Merchant City (there’s now another in the West End).

The Miller Street restaurant is big and boisterous with pizza pies flying out of the open kitchen at speed and Negronis knocked back with gusto. The pizza-making, however, is much more serious, as the all-Italian team of Pizzaioli follow the traditional Napoletana process and everything is sourced from Italy. The dough is proved for over 24 hours and heated at 500 degrees in the artisan wood-fire pizza oven built specially in Naples.

The pizza we tried was quite a beast with a huge amount of toppings, almost verging on too much. The dough was light and chewy with a nicely blistered crust and finished with plenty of juicy tomato sugo, creamy fior di latte and fresh basil. With excellent pizza starting at just £7.90 (the most expensive being under £13), it’s the perfect spot for a fun night out in Glasgow.

Kember and Jones

Kember and Jones is a popular neighbourhood cafe, deli and bakery on Byres Road in the West End. It’s known for its all-day brunch dishes, gourmet sourdough sandwiches and tempting home-made cakes. They also produce their own coffee beans and operate an off-site coffee roastery.

I stopped by for a warming hot chocolate made with dark chocolate flakes and a slice of the most decadent vanilla chai cake.

Tantrum Doughnuts

Stepping out of Glasgow Central Station, what could be a more welcome sight than an artisan doughnut and coffee shop? Tantrum Doughnuts is home to the city’s best hand-crafted doughnuts and it’s become a real local success story.

Owners Iain and Erika started their doughnut business at food markets and festivals, drawing on their pastry and hospitality industry skills. Their first shop opened in 2015 in the West End and there are now three locations across Glasgow.

What makes Tantrum stand out from the rest? They work with local producers to offer creative, seasonal doughnuts finished with home-made fruit jams, custards and toppings. The flavours are all tantalising and range from a simple birthday cake ‘old fashioned’ ring to the bestselling crème brûlée with Madagascan vanilla bean custard and a crunchy torched sugar top.

Having tried a few different flavours, my favourites were the glazed pistachio and hibiscus topped with candied nuts and milk and cookies dusted with chocolate crumble. It would be crazy not to grab a box to take home on the train.

Have you tried any of these Glasgow eateries? Where are your favourite places to eat out in Glasgow?

All photos by Chérie City

@cheriecity
Glasgow is such a great destination for a foodie weekend. Here are some amazing places to add to your list: ?? Shucks ?? Ox and Finch ?? Tantrum Doughnuts ?? Kember & Jones ?? Chaakoo ?? Paesano Pizza #glasgow #glasgowfood #foodtiktok #pizza #lobsterroll #scotland #glasgowrestaurants
? Back On 74 – Jungle

Barcelona, Cafes, Restaurants

Great Places to Eat Out in Barcelona

February 14, 2024 by cheriecity

Eating out is the highlight of any trip to Barcelona and the city’s food scene is more exciting than ever. Beyond the obligatory gooey tortilla and mountains of croquetas, you can find creative Lebanese small plates, seafood paella at a beachfront xiringuito, moreish loaded fried chicken or award-winning Neapolitan pizza.

Barcelona is still very good value for such a popular major city with an abundance of fresh, Mediterranean produce, so you’re guaranteed to eat well. Here are a few top places to add to your list…

Albé Barcelona

Albé means ‘my heart’ in Lebanese and the name perfectly fits a place with such feeling and warmth. This stylish Eixample ‘gastrobar’ has an upscale, romantic feel with a dimly-lit, plant-filled atrium and a brighter, more relaxed bar area.

Chef Pachi Rodriguez expertly weaves Lebanese and Catalan flavours, creating an enticing menu that’s made for sharing.

We started with a luscious gin and basil cocktail and grazed on velvety smoked labneh with zaatar, eggplant dust and Lebanese bread. This was followed by some bite-size snacks – fresh and delicate red prawn from Palamós baklava, Albé’s signature falafel and the most indulgent wild boar brioche with royal sauce.

Iberian cheek over French toast, demi-glace, smoked sour cream and pickled turnip was an absolute delight, as was the fragrant, rich acorn-fed duck magret with freekeh, bimi and bigarade sauce. We also loved the beautifully-presented charred cauliflower with browned and smoked butter.

We finished with the most decadent chocolate cake with cardamom and orange blossom caramel. It was such a memorable meal with exemplary service and fabulous dishes – I’m still daydreaming about it right now.

La Pepita

La Pepita is the kind of neighbourhood tapas bar that you always hope to find on a trip. It’s so popular among locals (and the guests at Seventy Barcelona opposite) that there’s a queue almost every night, however Mini Pepita has recently opened a few doors down to squeeze everyone in.

It has a bustling, unpretentious vibe with industrial-style interiors and cute graffiti from guests on the walls. Traditional tapas dishes are reimagined with Asian and French influences and creative flavours run through every dish on the menu.

We loved the snack size steak tartare, piquant patatas bravas and the moreish red shrimp croquettes with romesco sauce.

Sautéed beef tenderloin with Café de Paris sauce, eggplant and baba ganoush was tender and aromatic, however the standout dish was the unbelievable Can Pepi fried chicken with sweet and sour green curry vinaigrette and tangy pickled cabbage.

It’s essential to leave room for a heavenly matcha green tea cheesecake with cherries in syrup and ginger ice cream. Cocktails are also reasonable and generously-sized – go for a classic Negroni or Aperol spritz.

Sartoria Panatieri

Sartoria Panatieri was named the Best Pizzeria in Europe 2023 by 50 Top Pizza Europa and the hype is thoroughly deserved (BAEST in Copenhagen came second).

This modern, industrial-chic pizzeria in Eixample fires up Neapolitan-style pizza with a difference. Instead of typically importing ingredients from Italy, it uses the finest seasonal, organic produce sourced from local Catalan farms.

Chefs Rafa Panatieri and Jorge Sastre worked in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants including Portal de Echaurren and Nectari before meeting as part of the Roca brothers’ team in Barcelona. They later realised their dream of a unique, sustainable ‘farm to pizza’ concept with two restaurants in Gracia and Eixample.

The burrata stracciatella, tomato and basil pesto pizza was an absolute joy – juicy, aromatic and indulgently creamy with a chewy, blistered crust. Also, don’t miss out on some exceptional salumi made in-house – we loved the thinly-sliced roasted porchetta with sucking pig hollandaise sauce.

Xiringuito Escriba

Is there anything better than sharing a magnificent paella overlooking the beach? Our dreams came true at Xiringuito Escriba, a casual restaurant opened by Joan Escribà on Bogatell Beach in 1992 that specialises in rice, fideuà and fresh seafood.

In the mood to try a bit of everything, we went for the surf & turf paella. We munched on some croquetas and watched the hourglass with anticipation as our rice simmered away in the oven.

When it arrived it was enormous with a majestic whole scampi and bountiful, lightly scorched chicken, pork ribs, mussels, cuttlefish, vegetables and mushrooms. We were given a wooden spoon to pull away the gloriously caramelised socarrat at the bottom of the pan.

The paella was so hearty and satisfying, however if you find room for dessert, Escribà has long been known for fine pastries.

Doppietta

For a fun night of gorgeous fresh pasta, salumi and spritzes, look no further than Doppietta in the cool Sant Antoni neighbourhood. This lively modern trattoria from the team behind Benzina (just next door) focusses on specialities from Brescia, chef Nicola Valle’s home city in northern Italy.

Doppietta is above all known for its magnificent sharing plates of artisanal salumi with all of the fixings. Choose your own selection of three or five Italian cheeses and cured meats and it will be sliced to order at the in-house salumeria and presented at the table with little pots of olives, marmellata, pickled vegetables and freshly-baked bread.

The fresh pasta is also fantastic, served family style for sharing. Both the indulgent gnocchi with red shrimp, peas and lemon and cavatelli with white chicken ragu and pecorino really hit the spot. Be sure to leave room for the delicious chocolate salami and refreshing orange and ginger sorbet.

El Xampanyet

There may be a queue down the street for a seat at El Xampanyet, but it’s totally worth the wait! This traditional tapas bar in El Born, next to the Picasso Museum, has been around since 1929 and is much-loved among locals and visitors. It’s not exactly a hidden gem, but inside you can revel in the unchanged atmosphere of ‘old Barcelona’.

Colourful ceramic tiles and vintage signs adorn the walls, the tiny marble tables hold just a few plates and the bar is filled with tasty snacks. El Xampanyet is named after its own house Cava, which is a steal at just a few Euros a glass.

For a light lunch, we went for super fresh prawns cooked in lots of garlic and olive oil, gooey tortilla and slow-cooked chickpeas with pork rinds. The food is fantastic and the staff are so warm and friendly – it’s definitely one to add to your list.

Four Corners

The Hoxton Poblenou really knows how to please its hotel guests and locals, serving up epic Detroit-style pizza and tempting Italian-American sides.

Four Corners on the ground floor is many wonderful things – a slice shop with adjoining bodega, an outdoor pizza terrace for those balmy evenings and a breezy, relaxed dining room.

We started with a big bowl of Caesar salad with chicken and some chunky mozzarella sticks with spicy arrabbiata sauce. The vodka meatball pizza was unbelievable with plump meatballs, lots of juicy red sauce, fresh basil and a mix of cheddar cheese, Pecorino and Parmesan, giving it a mega cheese pull and crunchy edges.

The small pizza (four slices) is more than enough for two people, making it excellent value – what more could you want?

Xuba Tacos

Xuba Tacos in Eixample is known as the best taqueria in the city and it’s easy to see why. In 2021, two Michelin starred chef Antonio Sáez and hotel director Raul Salcido (both formerly of Hotel Arts Barcelona) teamed up to put their own modern spin on Mexican street food.

There’s a good selection of traditional tacos and quesadillas, plus creative chef’s specials with sirloin steak, fresh tuna, roast duck, foie gras and truffles. Handmade blue corn tortillas are piled high with tender spit-roasted meats, fresh veggies and herbs and authentic Oaxaca cheese (add as much spicy salsa macha as you can handle).

It’s hard to pick a favourite between the grilled beef steak tacos with red sauce and avocado, al pastor with marinated roast pork, pineapple, spring onion and cilantro and the grilled chicken quesadilla. Guacamole and blue corn chips are also a must!

Enlagloria Salad House

If you’re craving some greens after all of those croquetas, head to Enlagloria Salad House for a speedy, healthy lunch. This high end salad house chain by entrepreneur Gloria Rodés is Barcelona’s answer to sweetgreen, offering seasonal composed salads and a ‘create your own’ option.

Go for a vitamin-rich miso salmon bowl with artichokes and quinoa or the signature kale Caesar salad with tender rosemary chicken, crispy chickpeas, Parmesan and hemp seeds – so delicious. There’s also a free water station with chilled filtered still and sparkling water to keep you hydrated.

Vitrina Barcelona

Vitrina Barcelona is an indie coffee shop on the ground floor of Magatzem 128, a petite design hotel in Eixample. Hotel guests can roll downstairs for a light breakfast or afternoon caffeine fix, however it’s also a popular neighbourhood spot for locals with their laptops or a quick take-out coffee.

The strong matcha lattes are fantastic, as well as the home-made almond babka and vegan iced lemon and poppyseed cake.

At lunchtime, you can enjoy a hearty sourdough grilled cheese or loaded avocado toast.

L’Atelier Barcelona

L’Atelier Barcelona is a world-class bakery and pastry school run by renowned pastry chefs Ximena Pastor and Eric Ortuño. With sleek, futuristic interiors and a counter laden with exquisite treats, L’Atelier is the perfect spot for afternoon tea or an elevated coffee and croissant breakfast.

We tried the signature cornet croissants – one stuffed with lemon meringue and the other with raspberry, mascarpone and vanilla glaze – and they were so deliciously crisp and bursting with flavour.

Have you been to any of these Barcelona eateries? Where are your favourite places to eat out in the city?

All photos by Chérie City

@cheriecity
If you go to Barcelona, here are some amazing places for delicious tapas, beachside paella & the freshest tacos: ?? El Xampanyet – this tiny tapas bar in El Born is almost 100 years old and still buzzing. Go for the prawns in olive oil and garlic and the gooey tortilla. ?? Can Fisher – a trip to the beach wouldn’t be complete without paella. Bypass the catch of the day and go for Can Fisher’s excellent paella. ?? Enlagloria – this stylish salad house is perfect for cooling down over a fresh salad bowl and there’s even a free sparkling water machine. ?? Sartoria Panatieri – this Eixample pizzeria has been named the Best in Europe (outside of Italy) for its Neapolitan-style pizza using local ingredients. This time we tried the epic popcorn pizza! Super rich, but somehow it works. ?? Xuba Tacos – Founded by a two-Michelin-star chef, Xuba Tacos are next level. Go for Tacos el pastor, grilled chicken quesadilla and don’t miss the guac & blue corn chips. ?? La Pepita – this tiny neighbourhood tapas bar is always packed, as the food is incredible. Go for the tangy beef tartare, fried chicken with green curry vinaigrette and matcha cheesecake with cherries. ?? Sandwich Club – when only a juicy cheeseburger will do, head to Sandwich Club in Eixample – the meatballs subs are also excellent. ?? Gringa – this diner in El Raval is known for its fried chicken sandwich and doesn’t disappoint! #paella #barcelona #tacos #holiday #Foodie #foodtiktok #tapas
? J’Adore – Daniele Baldi

Cafes, London

Benk + Bo Cafe and Creative Space, London

May 14, 2018 by cheriecity

I’m always on the lookout for great new cafes in London and one of my favourite recent discoveries is the brilliant Benk + Bo.

Opened at the beginning of the year, this friendly neighbourhood spot is many things all rolled successfully into one – a cafe, bakery, yoga studio and co-working space. It’s surprisingly big but with an intimate feel, set across three storeys of a Brutalist building in a rapidly-developing part of Aldgate and just a short walk from Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Liverpool Street.

Owners Antony Burger and Mariell Lind Hansen (from fashion and architectural photography backgrounds respectively) established Benk + Bo to bring together creatives from all disciplines and provide a peaceful place to collaborate and share ideas. Indeed, its memorable name means ‘workbench’ and ‘a place to live’ in Norwegian.

The concept is influenced by the DIY community spirit of the rural Norwegian island where Mariell grew up and has naturally evolved since opening. As such, the style is Scandinavian-meets-London with well-chosen, homely touches such as woven tapestries, cosy armchairs, mood lamps and 1950s wood furniture that they lovingly restored by hand.

The members-only lower floor is like a secret garden of flourishing plants and you can watch the chefs at work in the kitchen. Meanwhile, the upstairs features a spacious, beautifully-renovated yoga studio, a tranquil piano practice room and a shower room modelled on an original mid-century Barbican bathroom.

The heart of Benk + Bo is its bijou cafe (open to non-members) and grocery store selling gourmet products from artisan producers, many of them London-based. However, what makes it really stand out from the London crowd is the in-house bakery, helmed by Head Baker Julien Valmier, formerly of The Savoy hotel, Le Cordon Bleu, Peyton & Byrne and Pain Blanc in Nagoya, Japan.

While produced in small batches, the selection of patisserie is truly impressive – I spotted a tempting Tarte Tropézienne, Paris-Brest in a variety of flavours, loaf cakes, Danish pastries, cookies and slightly more virtuous energy balls. Many of the pastries are vegan and Benk + Bo supply them to other cafes across London, including my favourite I Will Kill Again in Hackney.

I enjoyed the most delicious Pistachio Paris-Brest with exquisitely light choux pastry and velvety crème pâtissière. For an even greener treat, I paired it with an Iced matcha latte with oat milk – the best I’ve ever had!

I was also excited to see that Benk + Bo uses beans from east London roastery Dark Arts Coffee as standard and couldn’t resist buying a box of their ‘Weightless Again’ Ethiopia Yirgacheffe coffee to take home.

So far, Benk + Bo has hosted art exhibitions, book launches and supper clubs by the likes of Farmdrop, 26 Grains and The Caspian Kitchen, and it’s exciting to see what they will come up with next.

Benk + Bo is such a soulful place that leaves you feeling uplifted and part of it all. Many independent cafes lack the friendliness that makes you want to return, but Mariell, Antony and their team are so hands-on and really care about welcoming everyone who steps through the door. I can’t wait to go back and try some of their new brunch dishes and work my way through the pâtisserie.

Membership begins from £110 per month and access to fibre optic broadband, unlimited yoga classes, cafe discounts, free booking of meeting room and piano studio and a private locker. For more information, visit: www.benkandbo.com

All photos by Chérie City

Cafes, London

Choux Masterclass at Sans Pere Shoreditch

November 20, 2017 by cheriecity

Choux are my favourite French treats but I never imagined I’d be able to actually make them. That was until I attended a special choux masterclass at Sans Pere, a stylish ‘lifestyle house’ that opened in Shoreditch just a few months ago.

Sans Pere incorporates an in-house patisserie, coffee and tea bar, homewares shop and architectural studio. Beautifully-designed by London firm Atelier Baulier, the bright and airy space is ever so Instagrammable with olive green walls, a marble terrazzo counter and mimosa-hued outdoor seating.

Founder Barney Goff named his debut venture Sans Pere in tribute to his late father James Goff and took inspiration from his time living in France for the patisserie.

After warming up over a pot of tea, our group moved into the private room where everything was set up for our choux masterclass. Pastry chef Roberto Mele (previously at Princi, Park Chinois and The Fat Duck) introduced us to the art of choux, sharing tips as he demonstrated how to mix the dough.

Thankfully our dough was already prepared in neat piping bags, ready for us to try our hand at little puff shapes with a flick of the nozzle at the top. Choux pastry is typically smooth, so to get that textured effect, the choux need to be topped with a thin disc of butter and brown sugar which melts and crackles over the dough as it bakes.

To avoid wasting time (and potential error), we were provided with a tray of perfectly uniform choux buns for us to fill with cool, velvety and vanilla-scented crème pâtissière. Simply pierce the bottom of the choux with a wooden stick and pipe away until it feels heavy and full.

One thing I found most surprising was that it’s actually quite easy to give your home-made choux a professional flourish. For decoration, we used a selection of milk, dark and white chocolate discs and toppings including roasted hazelnuts, freeze-dried raspberries pieces and crunchy chocolate balls. To get the drizzle effect (and stick the disc to the choux), melt some white chocolate to add to a mini piping bag and just scribble swiftly over the disc.

Once they were dry, we boxed them up and took them home to enjoy that evening. They were incredibly delicious and I was pleased that they looked the part, since I previously had no experience with fine patisserie. With Roberto’s expert instruction, I’m confident that I’ll be able to try and bake them from scratch at home.

The choux are available every day at the patisserie and while the masterclass was a one-off, it may be open to the public at some point. Sans Pere is also hosting other cool events such as brush lettering with a calligrapher, coffee brewing and Christmas shopping evenings.

Sans Pere is a real treat for lovers of relaxed cafe culture and this week sees the opening of its second outpost – a petite cocktail and dessert bar – on Hackney’s Broadway Market.

Chérie City was a guest of Sans Pere

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by Atelier Baulier)

Cafes, London

A Great Dinner at Boki in Covent Garden

August 22, 2017 by cheriecity

Covent Garden seems to be acing it with great shops, restaurants and cafes, but my new favourite has to be Boki on Earlham Street in Seven Dials.

It’s a chilled-out independent coffee shop with a neighbourhood vibe that stays open into the evening (9.30pm/10pm most nights). It also features a stylish plant-covered bar serving cocktails, wine and craft ciders, making it a prime spot for after-work drinks (no need to stand on the street or endure pumping club music).

Boki was set up by the super-friendly Boris Becker and Kim Mahony Hargreaves (hence the name), who worked together in the film industry and bonded over their love of good food and coffee. Hailing from the UK and Asia, Boris and Kim have different perspectives on food that come together harmoniously on their menu, balancing fresh and spicy flavours.

What really sets them apart, though, is their passion for high quality, well-sourced produce and it’s clear that they’ve considered and curated every aspect of the food, drinks and design.

The cafe has an airy, industrial-luxe feel with concrete floors contrasted with highlights of brass, touches of marble, cool lighting and most importantly – comfortable seating! There are also some lovely touches like blue pottery plates, black and rose gold cutlery, chilled cucumber water, a proper good soundtrack and Aveda hand wash in the bathrooms.

The best way to eat dinner at Boki, to avoid serious food envy, is to order a selection of small and larger dishes and share.

Crispy chicken skin crackling with a choice of baba ganoush or houmous was a moreish little snack. The thin shards of chicken skin were golden and well-seasoned and the baba ganoush had a home-made taste with slow-cooked aubergine and subtle flavours. It also came with a plate of mini tacos for dipping – a nice change from the usual bread.

Salt beef tacos with Asian slaw and sriracha were punchy and tasty – you might want a whole plate of them to yourself. The salt beef was tender and juicy and went well with the tangy and colourful Asian slaw and the sriracha mayo that had nice kick but wasn’t crazy-hot.

A star dish was the McBoki with salt beef, avocado, fried hen’s egg and sriracha mayo on a charcoal brioche. Not only does it look the business but it’s the kind of sandwich that you’d come back for again and again…morning, noon or night!

I think we’ve established now that Boki does a mean salt beef, but it was the perfectly-dippy fried egg, creamy avocado and that earthy (and a tiny bit gritty) charcoal bun that really elevated it.

A great balance for the smaller, flavoursome dishes was the healthy and nourishing Vegan Bowl. This highly-Instagrammable dish was filled with a generous amount of pillowy quinoa, sliced ripe avocado, edamame beans, chunky beetroot, thinly-sliced radish, toasted sesame seeds and really tasty smoked tofu. It was so fresh and filling and I can see myself ordering it again for a virtuous lunch on the go.

To finish, we enjoyed a heavenly Brownie with a little pot of the most decadent salted caramel sauce. It was such a joyful combination that I reckon all chocolate desserts should come with this! The home-baked cakes and tarts on the counter also looked very tempting.

Boki are really proud of their coffee (made using Allpress espresso) and it’s easy to see why. Steven’s Flat White was exemplary – smooth, rich-roasted and just the right temperature. My T2 French Earl Grey was also fragrant, fruity and nicely served in a colourful teapot.

Also worth a mention are the excellent cocktails – many of them infused with coffee. Steven went for the Boki Negroni with Sipsmith gin, coffee-infused Campari and Vermouth, which was just as it should be, but with the addition of a subtle coffee flavour. My Boki gin iced tea was very refreshing and summery, made with Sipsmith gin, lemon verbena tea and fresh lemon.

Boki is a great spot if you want something a little different in Covent Garden, whether it’s a relaxed lunch, afternoon caffeine fix or cocktails and bites in the evening. I think it might become my regular haunt.

Chérie City was a guest of Boki

All photos by Chérie City

Cafes, London

Brunch at Morty & Bob’s in London Fields

August 17, 2017 by cheriecity

Last weekend, we were in the mood for a trek around east London and began our jaunt with an indulgent brunch at Morty & Bob’s in London Fields.

Famous for its grilled cheese sandwiches, Morty and Bob’s quickly became a star of the street food scene and until recently had a little shack at Netil Market. Two years ago it laid down roots on the second floor of Netil House and has been serving up ‘wholesome and honest comfort food’ ever since.

Netil House is a vibrant institution in Hackney, housing over 100 studio spaces for creative businesses, including Glasshouse Salon, NT’s Bar, Netil360 and the Michelin-starred bistro Ellory.

Morty & Bob’s occupies NT’s Bar during the day and has a chilled out atmosphere and cool industrial design with simple wooden tables, cosy sofas and an abundance of plants.

The all-day menu is filled tempting breakfast bites, all-day dishes like Smashed avocado on toast, salads and soups, plus a selection of home-made cakes and Allpress coffee. The weekend brunch menu is similar but with the addition of more elaborate grilled cheese sandwiches and Bloody Marys.

We ordered the Brisket Benedict and a Grilled cheese sandwich straight up with mixed onions and shared.

The Brisket Benedict was absolutely delicious – perfect poached eggs with a bright orange yolk, velvety Hollandaise, fluffy English muffins and tender, slow-cooked brisket that wasn’t overly heavy on the spices (although it may be on the timid side for some palates).

If the Brisket Benedict was subtle and moreish, the Grilled cheese sandwich was an intense flavour explosion. Thick slices of golden, buttery toasted sourdough were packed together with a gooey mix of three cheeses, finely-cut red onion and slivers of spring onion. It was super-rich and satisfying – everything you want a grilled cheese to be!

We accompanied our food with mugs of Earl Grey tea and later strolled down to Soft Serve Society in Shoreditch for ice cream, however our plans were almost derailed by the most gorgeous-looking brownies at the counter. Next time, for sure!

For menus and booking, visit: www.mortyandbobs.com

All photos by Chérie City

Cafes, London

Breakfast at Panetteria by Fucina, London

June 13, 2017 by cheriecity

Is there a better way to start a day out in London than a delightful Italian breakfast? I’m not usually an earlier riser on the weekend, however the sun was shining and there were pastries with my name on over on the other side of town.

Our morning refuel was at Panetteria, a bijou Italian bakery, cafe and deli in Marylebone’s most fashionable part of town, among the likes of Monocle Cafe, Cire Trudon and Chiltern Firehouse. Opened earlier this year, Panetteria is the casual little sister of the stylish Fucina by Kurt Zdesar the restaurateur behind Chotto Matte and Black Roe.

Run by ex-Princi head baker Massimilliano Porta, Panetteria feels like a real neighbourhood spot with its own downstair bakery, communal seating and super-friendly staff. There is also a range of artisanal Italian produce to buy, for a bit of Italian good living at home.

For my morning caffeine fix, I ordered a pot of really good, aromatic English breakfast loose leaf tea while Steven went for a flat white. As hoped, the coffee was rich roasted, creamy and potent – just as it would be made in Italy.

I started with the most amazing Granola and yoghurt – seriously the best I’ve ever tasted! Made in-house, Panetteria’s nutty granola was studded with uplifting orange zest and cranberries and accompanied by thick, luxurious yoghurt and segments of blood orange.

Our choice of freshly-baked pastries – an Almond croissant and a Pain au chocolat – were flaky, buttery and ever so delicious. Another hit was the delicious lemon loaf cake, drizzled with lots of tangy citrus syrup. Eating cake for breakfast is very Italian, so we felt no guilt.

If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, there are authentic Italian foccaccia, mini buns filled with prosciutto, healthy porridge and decadent bomboloni. You can also pick up a crusty baguette or rustic boule to take away.

Panetteria is a real gem in Marylebone with beautifully-crafted food and a friendly local vibe. I’m now pretty curious to see what’s going on next door at Fucina too – the pizzas look rather tempting!

Photos by Chérie City

Chérie City was a guest of Panetteria

Cafes, London

Brunch at Cafe Miami in East London

May 19, 2017 by cheriecity

Clapton in east London has some strong food game at the moment and Cafe Miami is definitely one of my new favourites.

It’s in good company too, with French bistro Les Nénettes serving up a magnificent Croque Madame, Red Velvet Lattes at nearby Palm Vaults, amazing Danish baked goods at Charles Artisan Bread and from what I’ve heard, top class tacos at DEL74.

More than just a fun name, Cafe Miami takes inspiration from its location inside the Strand Building, a striking Art Deco gem that’s more South Beach than Lower Clapton Road. It was originally built as the Hackney Electricity Demonstration Hall and Offices in 1925 and has since been converted into flats with an enviable courtyard terrace.

Cafe Miami is a petite all-day spot that draws a good crowd for weekend brunch with tempting American comfort food. It’s simple yet welcoming, designed in dreamy pastel hues with a counter laden with cakes. The soundtrack is 90s R’n’B, the staff wear Cafe Miami logo tees with stone wash jeans and there’s a cheeky wifi passcode that’s too rude for them to say aloud. OF COURSE I was going to like this place!

We started by ordering some hot drinks and were given some vanilla-scented popcorn to graze on while waiting for our food. My Matcha latte with almond milk was absolutely perfectly (with plenty of high quality matcha and no bitter taste) and Steven’s Flat white, made with Workshop Coffee, was potent and milky with a nutty flavour.

Everything is freshly-cooked with care at Cafe Miami and we were really wowed when we saw the size of our dishes. My Nutella-filled pancakes topped with banana (£8.50) included three giant, fluffy pancakes stuck together with gooey Nutella and finished with sliced banana and a good ole’ drizzle of maple syrup. They were just heavenly and I managed to get through two thirds before sliding the rest across the table in defeat.

Steven went for a diner classic of American waffles with bacon, maple syrup and blueberries (£9). The heart-shaped, golden waffles were nice and thin and loaded with the most delicious Canadian maple-cured bacon, fresh blueberries and lashings of maple syrup. The savoury waffles had quite a neutral flavour and made an ideal base for the bold, in-your-face smokiness and sweetness.

Obviously, we had more than enough for a filling brunch, however if you’re feeling really indulgent, Cafe Miami also offers snacks like Pop Tarts, Grilled grapefruit and Toasted banana bread with Nutella.

Cafe Miami definitely scores points for its mouthwatering food and cool interiors, but it’s also really chilled and the staff are friendly and laid-back. I can’t wait to go back and try their toasted sandwiches, avo toast and fish finger tacos.

All photos by Chérie City

Cafes, London

Valentine’s Day at Dominique Ansel Bakery

February 12, 2017 by cheriecity

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than tasting delicious pink pastries with your love? Cake is certainly the key to my heart, so I was excited to see what Dominique Ansel Bakery had in store to mark its first Valentine’s Day in London.

Leading up to the day of romance, Dominique Ansel Bakery has turned the pastry counter pink, offering a Valentine’s spin on its signature cakes, along with a few new surprises.

We visited yesterday afternoon and tried a selection of the limited edition Dressed in Pink pastries, as well as some of the classics.

Fresh Strawberry and Lychee Pavlova was simple and whimsical with two crunchy pastel pink meringue shells sandwiched together with a cool, velvety ganache and finished with juicy sliced strawberries and a pink chocolate heart. The lychee flavour in the ganache was very subtle and I think it could have been amped up a little, but overall it was a lovely dessert for those who like plenty of sweetness.

Hibiscus Gingerbread Pinecone was pure artistry at work with exquisite presentation and layers of complex flavours. It really looked the part, with more than 70 hand-cut dark chocolate petals and pink chocolate hearts. Inside was smooth ginger mousse, fragrant hibiscus gelée, spiced cake with an aromatic kick and crispy feuilletine. It had a spicy, seasonal flavour, like a jammy lebkuchen, and was just perfect for the wintry weather.

We also had the chance to taste the famous DKA – ‘Dominique’s Kouign Amann’ – and I can see why it’s such a favourite. This version of the typical Breton cake had a crusty, caramelised top and inside were delicate layers of croissant-like dough and light slithers of sugar syrup. It’s a good choice if you want something sweet yet substantial for an afternoon treat.

Finally, we managed to find some room for some freshly-baked mini Madeleines, served warm right out of the oven. They were just so springy and airy with a delightful vanilla flavour – definitely the best madeleines I’ve ever tasted.

By that point, we’d hit a real sugar high, but there are still 11 more pink pastries in the collection to try! Highlights include a Cupid Religieuse, Chili Chocolate Eclair, Raspberry Mini Me Cake, Paris Je T’Aime and the highly Instagrammable Pomme D’Amour. Then there are the sweet gifts like Valentine’s meringues, hot chocolate bottles and popcorn, so you can really treat the love of your life.

The Dressed in Pink collection is available until 14th February at Dominique Ansel Bakery, Belgravia.

Chérie City was a guest of Dominique Ansel Bakery

All photos by Chérie City

Cafes, London

Dominique Ansel Bakery in Belgravia

October 2, 2016 by cheriecity

The world-famous New York Cronut® finally arrived in London this week with the opening of Dominique Ansel Bakery in Belgravia. I couldn’t resist popping along on its launch day and as expected, the mania had already begun.

The Cronut® queue at Dominique Ansel’s Spring Street bakery became legendary, with the exclusive croissant-doughnut hybrid usually selling out by mid-morning, and it looks set to be the same here. The waiting time (lined up outside, rain or shine) in London was at least two hours long and once a new batch was ready, it was a maximum of two Cronuts per person for fairness. If you have the time and patience, you will be rewarded and can tick it off your foodie bucket list.

I arrived hungry and soon realised the queue was for the Cronut® and not for the bakery itself, so I happily waltzed right in. Really, I was more excited about the selection of beautiful cakes and baked goods than just the Cronut®.

The Elizabeth Street bakery is just lovely with an open kitchen, a big display counter and a relaxed seating area with a cute courtyard. Its design is much better than the cramped and oddly-shaped New York outposts and there’s plenty of room to procrastinate over which cake to choose.

While the pastries are the most talked-about, it’s worth visiting for lunch or an early supper as the menu is so very tempting. There are modern interpretations of French classics such as Smoked duck salad with lentils and Croque Monsieur, as well as a hearty Chicken pork belly pot pie, Oxtail tea consommé and a healthy autumn grain bowl.

I went for the Avocado toast with an Earl Grey tea and my goodness, it was incredible! A thick slice of sourdough was loaded with smashed avocado, cool home-made ricotta, thinly-sliced radish, slivers of pickled pink onions and sliced avocado perfectly shaped like a rose (not forgetting the lightly-dressed frisée salad). Every mouthful was a joy and I loved the contrasting creamy, peppery and tart flavours with plenty of seasoning and a hint of caraway.

To follow, I was drawn to the After the Rain mousse cake, a glossy dome filled with a fragrant jasmine mousse, pear and ginger gelée and a crisp praliné feuilletine base. It was so delicate with harmonious fruity and aromatic flavours – a real treat without being overwhelming.

I found the Camellia’s Tea House Earl Grey tea a little too perfumed and would next time opt for a matcha latte or a fresh lemonade.

One important tip if you’re ‘eating in’ is to order all of your food in one go, or risk a daunting queue and/or lose your seat. To get my cake, I queued for what felt like almost an hour during a peak time. It seemed partly due to opening day kinks and the sheer amount of baked goods being ordered, but the super-friendly staff kept me smiling. They even came round the queues with freshly-baked mini Madeleines to keep our spirits up.

I also spotted Dominique Ansel himself milling around, meeting customers and overseeing operations with his partner Amy Ma (pictured below).

Of course, I couldn’t go home empty-handed (neither should anyone, really) and brought back a heavenly, molten-centred Flourless chocolate and pecan cookie and a light yet decadent Chocolate brownie. On the list for my next visit is the Chocolate chip cookie shot with cold-infused Tahitian vanilla milk (available after 3pm), Frozen S’mores and the Dosa millefeuille – perhaps even a Cronut®, if I’m in luck.

Dominique Ansel Bakery is much more than its hype, in fact, it’s one of the most innovative high end bakeries I’ve ever visited. Prices are spot on for Belgravia and the superior quality, plus everything is well-presented and appetising. I can’t wait to go back for more!

All photos by Chérie City

Cafes, London

Tombo Japanese Cafe in Soho, London

August 9, 2016 by cheriecity

My love of matcha is well-documented and I can’t help raving about a place when it does matcha really well. Add to that hot new Hawaiian poké food trend and it’s a match made in heaven (please forgive the terrible pun).

Tombo Poké & Matcha Bar in Soho opened in June and it’s already a popular and lively spot. The two-floor cafe is bright and uplifting with super-friendly staff and decent air-con – perfect for a relaxing refuel in the heart of the city.

Tombo’s original cafe and matcha bar in South Kensington has a larger offering of sushi, Japanese tapas, donburi and bento boxes, but the Soho branch’s streamlined concept is more unique and works well in the area.

The menu is simple with just six signature poké – deconstructed sushi bowls – however you can also build your own to suit your taste. For all bowls, there’s also a choice for a base of black and white rice, courgette noodles or a mix of both.

We both started with a large glass of Matcha lemonade (£3.50), which was potent, zesty, slightly aromatic and very refreshing. Matcha is my rocket fuel, as I love the calm and focused buzz that it gives, as well as its excellent health benefits.

The regular sized poké looked absolutely enormous, so we opted for the small size with black and white rice, to leave room for dessert. I chose the Teriyaki chicken Poké (£4.50) – Teriyaki chicken, teriyaki sauce, spring onion, sesame seeds.

The generous amount of succulent grilled chicken thigh was served atop exemplary sushi rice (the ideal balance of sticky yet firm with subtle seasoning) and finished with thinly-sliced spring onion, just the right amount of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkling of white sesame seeds. It was also served with a little extra teriyaki sauce on the side for a bolder flavour.

Steven tried the Classic salmon poké (£4.95) – Salmon, classic sauce, edamame, white onion, sesame seeds, nori. The chilled raw salmon had a silky texture and simply melted in the mouth. It was coated in a very light sesame oil sauce and went perfectly with the accompanying fresh edamame, onion, sesame seeds and nori.

It was difficult to choose between the tempting desserts, but obviously they both just had to be with matcha. The matcha soft serve caught by eye but I ended up going for the more elaborate Monaka (£3.90).

Velvety matcha soft serve was sandwiched in a crisp irridescent wafer shell and finished with a dollop of adzuki bean paste, bite-size matcha brownies, yuzu zest and a dusting of matcha powder.

Matcha Gateau had a lovely vanilla matcha flavour and was both light and moist – like a cross between chiffon cake and a fondant, if that’s even possible. Other delectable desserts include Matcha tart, Matcha sundae, Matcha dorayaki, Matcha brownie, Matcha white chocolate and Sakura mochi.

For a healthy, nourishing meal served with a green tea buzz, head to Tombo. I can’t wait to work my way through the menu and fuel my matcha addiction.

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by Tombo)

Chérie City was a guest of Tombo

Cafes, London

Velvet Lattes at Palm Vaults in Hackney

June 14, 2016 by cheriecity

There are plenty of places in Hackney to indulge your artisan coffee and avocado toast craving, but how many can boast a sprawling, magical indoor garden?

House plant heaven can be found at independent cafe and coffee shop Palm Vaults, a curious new addition to the top of Mare Street. The vibe is Miami meets Biba (and a dash of Ms Haversham) with dusky pink velvet seats, pink marble tables and touches of gold, framed by willowing palms.

As if that wasn’t girly and Instagrammable enough, one of its signature drinks is the magenta-hued Velvet Latte – a concoction of natural beetroot and steamed milk that tastes like a rather earthy red velvet cake. They also do a fantastic Matcha Latte, made perfectly with a generous amount of green tea rocket fuel (and happily no bitter taste).

I can’t tell you much about the coffee, as everyone was drinking colourful lattes during our visit, but you can expect the usual flat whites and long blacks as well as frappés, iced matcha, masala chai, hojicha and gourmet hot chocolates using high quality melted chocolate from Madagascar, Venezuela and the Ivory Coast.

There’s also a selection of pastries, big and beautiful cakes by east London-based Victoria Yum and of course brunch dishes like avocado and halloumi on toast. I didn’t really notice food menus there, but perhaps there’s more to come?

It’s also worth popping by if you love vintage, as there’s a small but well-edited selection of designer pieces. Marlene the adorable bulldog also holds court – she was off out exploring before I could get a pic of her. Is that enough reasons to visit Palm Vault? I think so…

All photos by Chérie City

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