Category Archives: Cafés

Ayrshire, Bakeries, Cafés

Daisy Cupcakes, Ayr

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Way back when I did a few posts on The Daisy Cupcake Cafe in Ayr. Lovely cakes and a really friendly place.

I was very sad to hear that it had closed earlier this year. However all is not over, as the owner is still making cupcakes and delivering them locally. Visit the website to find out how to get your order in.

I also learned that The Basement Coffee House (13 Old Bridge Street) in Ayr stocks Daisy cupcakes too, and on my recent Scottish travels I picked a few up. I can also recommend a white hot chocolate with rose I had in the cafe while I was there – smooth and sweet.

Cafés, Food Analysis, Ice-cream Parlours, Italy, Restaurants

A Few Venice Highlights

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Picture a couple in a gondola, gently propelled along a narrow canal by a skilled gondolier. Now add 3 other passengers, a crap ton of rain, umbrellas and cameras in all hands, and the romance rapidly evporates. We watched them drift past us as we splashed our way through the streets on the first full day of our recent brief trip to Venice.

It was sunny the next day. And to be fair, Venice is pretty amazing whatever the weather. Dilapidated ornate buildings lapped by lagoon waters, maze-like passageways, tiny steep bridges over miniature canals – it certainly isn’t like anywhere else I’ve ever been.

But other people can tell you more about that stuff. I’m all about the food.

cicchetti

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Cafés, Canada, East Sussex, Food Analysis, France, London, Shops

Food Analysis: Paladin Minuto

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The average hot chocolate you get in the UK is pretty uninspiring. I mean, sure, it has a chocolate taste and is warmly comforting, but its lacklustre nature is undeniable, and it doesn’t matter how much whipped cream or marshmallows are piled on top.

I’m always in search of pure, intense hot chocolate. The kind you get if you make it yourself at home with real chocolate and milk (or even, eep, cream).

I’ve had a killer one in the renowned Angelina in Paris*; an excellent shot in Chocolat Chocolat, Cambridge; a dark and delicious 70% courtesy of Mink, Vancouver; and what I swear was just a cup of melted chocolate down in Brighton’s Bar Du Chocolat. However a particularly fond memory comes from a brief visit to Barcelona and assorted stops for chocolate and churros.

paladin minuto

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Cafés, Eateries, Food Analysis, Hampshire, Nepal, Restaurants

Nanglo Cafe and Restaurant, Aldershot

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Aldershot’s historic connection with Gurkha soldiers has led to a large Nepalese community settling in the local area.

There have always been the odd few restaurants here extolling the virtues of Nepalese cuisine, but the increasing audience has seen a rise in outlets and the growth of a more specialist approach.

The other night we visited Nanglo (46 Grosvenor Road, Aldershot). Its website had talked of a menu containing 30 dishes from Nepal, and I was interested to see what new things there might be to try.

Nanglo Thali

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Cafés, Delis, Food Analysis, Hampshire

Food Analysis: Biltong

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Toughness is not normally a positive term when associated with food. “Mmm, that was really tough…” is not a phrase you want to hear someone at the next table saying when you’re waiting for your food to arrive. Especially the “mmm” bit – that’s just odd.

I haven’t heard anyone say this, I should hasten to add. But if someone were to, it would probably be about something like biltong.

biltong

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