Posts Tagged ‘cake’
Escape from London: a few ideas for Paris
Spending a few days or hours in Paris always feels like a wonderful waltz. Already know the classics? Here are a few more ideas to take a bite of this beautiful city:
* Haute-Pâtisserie is not all about macarons. You will even find savoury twists such as this salmon mille-feuilles in Fauchon. A little horseradish in the cream, grilled sesame seeds, a slice of luxury.
* A minute walk from there is the adorable Maille boutique – old fashioned type of shop, wooden counter… This is a foodie even with countless types of mayonnaises and mustards – saffron, dried tomatoes, ginger and orange… all at very affordable prices.
* Even if you do not have the time to visit the Opéra garnier (though the decor is absolutely fabulous, note it down for a future citybreak), do stop and glance at its richly sculpted roofs and omes.
* My favourite Metro station probably is Art et Métiers, which has a platform dressed in copper and presents through ship type windows, minitaure historical inventions.
* Cross the Seine via the Pont des arts bridge. The view is gorgeous, no matter the weather or the time of the day. I am always amazed at the quantity of locks left by lovers on its side. Hundreds! well, you might as well leave one too…
* Step in a bookshop and get this book – romantic touch and French kiss combined. Oh, and yes, it is in English.
* Look out for street art – plenty in the city!
* Marvel, in Le Marais, as the door knobs. Quite something.
* Still in Le Marais, stop at the Cloître des billettes (22 Rue Archives 75004 Paris) which often has free art exhibitions under its arches.
* In Fragonard, you will find an incredible Mimosa fragrance - a mere 13€ to carry the scent of summer on you.
* Have a café gourmand (coffee with a selection of miniature deserts) at Le Tambour. This bistrot is an extraordinary mixtre of detaisl from the past, many inspired by the Métro (41 Rue Montmartre 75002 Paris).
* Remind the kids that art is fun and take them to the fountain aside the centre Pompidou – they will love the colourful creations by Niki de St Phalle. Or take them to the Musée en herbe who is specially thought for little ones.
* On Sunday mornings, go the organic market on boulevard Raspail. One of the best in Paris, it offers fantastic products and seasonal soups, tarts… Everyone takes the time to chat there. Go to the métro Sèvres-Babylone, it is only a two minutes walk away.
* Forget Ladurée and go to Pain de Sucre for jewel cakes. Floral or abstract art inspired decoration, extrardinary tarts, home made sweets, crystallised coriander leaves… Try the Folie Douce (mango, lime and pineapple marmelade, almond and orange blossom cream), the Champcella (lime cream, caramelised apple, rosemary cream), the Ephémère (coconut cream, blueberry marmelade, meringue biscuit with coconut and hazelnut).
* Try something more original and elegant than champagne - the Boudoir serves gorgeous absinthes and will make you travel in time.
Afternoon tea at One Aldwych
You know how sweet places matter to me. Yet around Covent Garden, this proved tricky. There are delicious cupcakeries and pâtisseries, yes, yet with very limited seating space.
Wasn’t there an atmospheric lounge where one could spend the afternoon with friends? One that would wow friends visiting from abroad, where we could dream together while sipping on a fragrant cup of tea or a succulent cocktail, forgetting the time entirely?
Well, I have found it. Just a two minutes walk from the market. Perfect location.
Step in One aldwych hotel and you will find a soothing luxurious atmosphere, a lovely cocoon. On each side, huge windows bring natural light in - on a sunny day, it has a golden touch to it. Look around – there are amazing work of art around the whole building, such as this man in a tiny boat rowing his way through the room. The florist has amazing skills too - his creations always fill the room magniciently, a botanical firework. Whether you are a regular visitor or a first time guest, you will be treated as a first class guest, an elegant and delicate approach that matters most to this independant palace.
Follow me - it is afternoon tea season! With a glass of champagne any rainy day suddenly feels bubblier…
Here tradition is brought a modern twist. The triangle sandwiches offer delicious salmon with a hint of wasabi, generous chicken, yummy sauces, cucumber slices so thin they almost feel creamy, seedy bread… but you will completely fall for the canape versions of Welsh rarebit and Scotch eggs. Miniature versions you see, allows more focus on taste and oh, those savoury bites are just to die for.
Ah, this melted cheddar with bechamel that fills the mouth, the discreet Worcester sauce that makes the whole difference, the tomato locking all the taste in a single mouthful… And the quail egg, still runny yolk with a pinch of celery salt, the herby meat followed by the crunchy bready wrapping. I had never been a fan of Scotch eggs - a bit dry to my taste but here the balance is just right, moist and tender. Try it with a little caper sauce to add crunchiness to the texture…
You could stop there. You would be totally satisfied with a whole plate of those. But you have already looked up and you cannot resist trying the cakes anymore. Start with the carrot cake - amazing portion yet very light, a little poem of carrot, raisins, walnuts. Well done for not killing it with icing but sprinklinh chopped hazelnuts instead.
Next on your list is the chocolate fondant – dark cacao laced with raspberry. A very dramatic effect that will suprise any chocoholic by its intensity finishing on the cloud effect of the cream. So complex it feels like it is telling a story…
The star is the Battenberg, so cheerful in colour, an explosion of colour. If like me, you had only tasted Mr Kipling’s ones, make a special detour for this. The almond paste is incredibly refined, and you can taste the vanilla in the cake, the apricot jam keeping the squares together. I cannot understand why such an amazing cake does not appear more in British cafés. The graphism is so inspiring too, you feel like piling the squares, making a Rubik’s cube with them or bite straight into it.
Take the opportunity to rediscover the Eton Mess too with this autumn version served in a cute glass. Caramelised apple compote, a layer of vanilla treat then whipped cream and crunchy sugary topping. Dig all the way down to try and have the four ingredients on your spoon and let it melt slowly on your tongue…
Or give up on the clotted cream and enjoy it on their brioche-like scones - that is just royal.
The bonus? The more the merrier. 4 friends and one afternoon tea is free. 8 friends and you can enjoy a complimentary magnum of champagne.
As it is situated at the heart of theatreland (The Lion King is played in the nearby street), One Aldwych has thought of an idea for those who want to enjoy the magic of an evening a little longer. Come after 22.00 to enjoy the 10 after 10 offer: one of their amazing desert (and the description will make your mouth water) and a glass of wine for £10… Worth noting too are their movies evening - £42.50 is quite a deal for a 3-course dinner, projection, popcorn and champagne! Being a mum, I love their brunch and family film option too. This is a particularly child-friendly hotel. Little ones get their own slippers and robe, a book is left on their bed for bedtime stories, the room service offers special dishes and smoothies for them…
Have a look at the website to discover the beauty of the rooms. This sublime hotel puts a special care in small details, a personalised atmosphere and really goes the extra mile to make your stay feel festive. I can only tip my hat to them.
One Aldwych
London
WC2B 4BZ
Afternoon tea, £26.50
Champagne afternoon tea, £35
Teatime in Wonderland was invited by OneAldwych for their gorgeous afternoon tea
Tea and cake
Cake lovers, your attention please. You may have thought you were an expert, knew the sweetest places in town, delicate pastries and fragrant cups of teas. You may even have had a sugary walk per neighbourhood.
This book will get you hunting again. How could you have missed this irresistible cheesecake? And here, a lavender cake? Ooooh, what about those adorable vintage teapots…
A clever guide divided in everyday pleasures, extraodinary afternoon teas with a twist, take away temptations, and well done a section with vegan/allergies places.
Warning: never, ever open without a homemade dessert on the side. The pictures will make your mouth water in no time.
A little chocolate treat
I have, in my notebook, filled pages with ideas for chocolate tarts, truffles, creams, soufflés. Those are my Sunday recipes, when time can stop. Icing a cake with a beautiful ganache is as soothing as a yoga session. Maybe less gentle on your hips to be honest.
But during the week rush, each minute count, there is too much overtime and too few me-time.
Sainsbury’s is launching this fun treat idea. Inspired by cupcakes – originally baked in cups as the name indicates – this one can be prepared in your favourite mug. Beat an egg, add the mix, a tablespoon of water, put 1mn30 in the microwave. Watch it - it rises amazingly high, this is quite spectacular.
This will not beat a home-made cake – this is the minute treat that makes your coffee time a little bit more festive (especially the melting choc chunks) than a basic Kitkat. It is fun to prepare before a meeting, nice to have in your cupboard if friends knock on the door unannounced (in which case I would add a spoonful of Nutella to it or serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream).
A week-end in London: August 19-21, 2011
Well, this week-end, I will be sitting on a beach in the South of France with a glass of Sauternes in my hand. Heaven. If you are staying in London, here are a few ideas to make life sweeter, to tip your hat off, to travel in time… and many more!
* Dance in a very French atmosphere at the V&A.
* Have a look at a real space capsule.
* Try hoola-hooping again.
* Indulge in a Tolkien night.
* Rediscover the treasures of St Paul.
* Chiswick park turns symphonic.
* The best response to riots? A lot of love and a little art.
* London really is the home to strange but fun museums.
* Discover a secret garden in Spitafields.
* Beach souvenirs from London-on-sea.
* How would you recycle routemasters?
* Cycle through the city.
* Ping-pong and cocktails. Or vice-versa.
Psst: from August 24 to the 26th, Soho Square will be deliciously Swedish. Come and discover the sweetest pop-up, enjoy a cup of real coffee with one of the amazing traditional treats!
Afternoon tea at Café Luc
Because they are playful and irresistible.
Because you can go for the British version with scones and tringle sandwiches. Or choose a single pastry if you prefer. Or even be a child again with a glass of milk and cookies. Or be very Parisian and drink of of the velvety Mariage Frères tea. Or even add a little crazyness to the day and have a sweet and a Mariage Frères cocktail. There is always the perfect variation to suit your mood.
Because the afternoon tea also proposes petit-fours and you can try more in miniature versions and you feel spoilt and happy.
Because the lemon tartelettes are the best in town, tangy, not too sugary, a touch of cream, perfectly addictive.
Because you had never tried this heart-shaped biscuit, very French, almost caramelised, crunchy, and you will not leave a crumb behind. The alliance with an espresso is the best fix and we need it on the menu every hour of the day.
Because hot drinks always come with a square of Dolfin chocolate. Which one will you have today? Milk? Aniseed? Cinnamon?
Because we just know a sweet heaven when we see it!
Café Luc
50 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 5HN
Afternoon tea from 14.30 to 18.00
Ideas for a week-end in London: June 03-05, 2011
Inspired by Tastour, I’m thinking of a themed week-end. La vie en rose!
Rosé wine. Fentimans’ rose lemonade. A bouquet of peonies. A raspberry and litchee trifle. Cranberry scones and cristalised rose petals.
What’s your program? Looking for ideas? Here are a few:
* Renew your shelves by swapping books.
* Photograph London at dawn.
* Have a sweet tooth. There will be an incredible gingerbread house, with a popcorn chimney and chocolate furniture at The Brunswick. I have heard that clouds will be made of meringue and that cupcakes grow in the garden… Kids can have a bite, listen to accordion or tales. The fabulous Lily Vanilli will also give gingerbread men masterclasses. Not to be missed!
* Art does recyle. A very colourful project in Spitafields.
* Royal beasts take over the Tower of London.
* The Old Truman Brewery will be home to quite amazing pieces of art.
* Al Fresco cinema? Sure, but on the city rooftops!
* The zoo will open late every Friday in June and July. With silent discos and cabaret, you will roar of pleasure.
* Regent Street will turn Spanish on Sunday: giant paellas, drums, dancing horses…
* Temperatures should go up to 22 degrees. That definitely calls for a cool pint in a beer garden.
* We’ve been begging her to – Lily Vanilli is opening her café on Columbia Road. Stop there for a treat before getting those bunches of flowers.
* Pssst: Banksy’s back at the Andipa Gallery.
Ideas for a week-end in London: May 20-22, 2011
Life is full of simple joys. One of mine is reading a poem on the tube, you know those published between two ads? It’s always soothing finding one, like a little gift. I never have enough time to write them down but I found out the underground website actually lists them.
Another blog brought a smile – the authors post pictures of strangers (only guys) met on their commuting journey, add a few lines, guess their thoughts, their story. Hey, maybe you’re one of them, check it out!
Oh, if you think you’re the chap of the year, click this way.
* It’s shopping time on Carnaby Street this Thursday with 20% off.
* Love gardening? Tomato plants will be given for free on Trafalgar on Friday.
* Love is what you want, says Tracey Emin – a comforting thought.
* Find your favourite food vans at the Rye Pub – from the Choc Star to the Meat Wagon.
* The Andipa Gallery brings the language of flowers to an art.
* Nude Espresso just opened on Soho Square but forget the coffee. What you want to try is their Lamington cake, an Australian treat made of sponge cake in a layer of chocolate and coconut. Just don’t count the calories.
* Love acrobatics, martial arts, parkour? Rush or jump to the Udderbelly this week-end.
* Fortnum & Mason celebrate refined crafts.
* Tango and afternoon teas - just jump in those dancing shoes and grab a few scones…
* Med-tea-tation with Teanamu at Holland Park - a zen moment in a marvellous garden.
* Nothing is free in life, they say. Well wait: join those ecclectic workshops to learn a few skills for free: car mechanics, burlesque dancing, self defence…
Real Food Festival
Strolling through the Real Food Festival, we put some of those on our shopping list:
* The Seriously Italian Company ‘s pestos – richly flavoured and organic products made in London. We just could not resist the walnut and pistachios ones. use them on pasta, as chutneys…
* Those creole soda breads from The Global Fusion are just exquisite – pure happiness at each bite and as beautiful as delicious. How to choose between apple crumble, apple-plum-oats, carrot-cherry, mango? We ended up taking a nice selection back. Bonus point, they’re vegan!
* The rose limonade by Fentiman, for its amazing taste of Turkish delight.
* Doukan‘s Moroccan dishes which tell stories of other lands, other spices. Their exotic chutneys will make you feel like cooking a tajine straight away : aubergine, orange blossom-fig, tomato-cinnamon, lemon-coriander… Visit the restaurant for even more treats.
* The clever alliances by Café On : each macaroon is flavoured (champagne, black pepper, tomato, sakura…) and can be matched to the cheese of your choice, quite a gourmer sandwich. Fennel and goat’s cheese is quite something!
* Sloe Motion‘s elegant gins, vodkas, whiskies: a fabulous sweet drink to finish a meal or add to a cocktail. Very addictive, though. Quite a nice gift for father’s day.
* La Cave Fromage‘s savoury cheese macaroons. Surprising poetic bites, each flavous keeping its personnality: pear-roquefort, raspberry-parmesan, blueberry-brie, hazelnut-goat’s cheese.
* La Fromagerie‘s new range of crackers, particularly the caraway ones who work marvelously with the nutty cheese as gouda.
* We fell in love with Womersley‘s floral and fruity vinegars: blackcurrant-rosemary, lemon-basil-juniper, lemon-black pepper-lavender… Just in time for summer salads, a wonderful gift for all gourmets.
* The Oreo-green tea sponge cake by My Sweet Tooth Factory - they never last long no matter how huge the slice is! This year, no doubt, I will order my birthday cake from them.
* British tea – no kidding! This one grows in Cornwall and brings quite a nice brew. Tregothnan also proposes eucalyptus, manuka, nettle infusions.
