Food Archives - Page 5 of 15

bloomzy / August 22, 2016

Aoyama Flower Market Tea House | Tokyo Travel Diary

Aoyama Flower Market Tea House | Cafe | Map
5-1-2 Minamiaoyama, Shibuya, Tokyo

Have you ever walked into a place and just been taken aback by its sheer beauty? That’s exactly what happened to me when I first walked into Aoyama Flower Market’s Omotesando branch, during my recent visit with Nicole. The flower shop is well known, with outlets across Japan. However this particular location is nestled in amongst the high-rises of Aoyama, and only a minute walk away from Omotesando tube station. Perfect for my inner mori gal.

Aoyama Flower Market Tea House: Concept

The concept behind Aoyama Flower Market’s tea house is quite simple; a greenhouse. Yes, it may sound boring, yet it’s anything but. Think blooming flowers, ivy crawling along the walls, and a botanical inspired menu. That’s exactly what you’ll find here. The idea of “living with flowers everyday” was on the mind of AFM’s interior design team when they opened this plant haven. And boy did they deliver!

The Menu…

The menu here is pretty simple in terms of ingredients. You’ll also find alternating seasonal specials, which are based on particular flowers or holidays. As you can imagine most dishes are vegetarian and vegan friendly, however there is the odd meat dish on the menu; for those who just can’t go without. You won’t find any coffee on the menu either, only tea. So how did I get on as a coffee-loving, meat-eater?

Sakura Plate – Special
We visited during sakura season, so naturally the menu reflected this. Not surprisingly you can often find cherry blossom flavoured (slightly reminiscent of rose) products and dishes at this time of year. This dish in particular included sakura jelly, chiffon cake, sakura ice cream and cream with meringue “mushrooms”. I personally loved the taste; subtle and sweet, with a nice mix of textures. This dish was perfect for me!
Fresh Mint Soda
Gimme mint any day! Normally I drink a lot of mint tea, but I decided to cool down with something slightly more refreshing – and fizzy – this time. I was brought some optional syrup for my drink, which I didn’t add. However it’s perfect for those with a sweet tooth. I didn’t get a photo of my soda, but I did snap one of my friend’s mint tea, which was just as pretty!

Final thoughts?

This is a popular place, so be prepared to wait. As a Londoner I don’t mind doing this, in fact it’s second nature when it comes to finding a decent restaurant. To be fair we only waited around 20-30 minutes, but you may need to stand if the few waiting chairs in the cafe are taken.

If you fancy some time away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Aoyama Flower Market Tea House is an incredibly relaxing, comforting spot to visit. From browsing the store for plants and flowers, to enjoying some sweet treats in the restaurant, I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere here. I’d definitely recommend it, and it’s certainly somewhere I would go back to on my next visit to Japan.

Check out the rest of my Japan Travel Diaries (including Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo) here.

bloomzy / August 2, 2016

Get Your London Freakshake On, At Soft Serve Society

Soft Serve Society* | Ice Cream, Tea & Freakshakes | Website
UNIT 35 BOXPARK, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6GY

Last year one unique, insane, ginormous, sweet sweet dish, broke the internet. The freakshake. Piled high with cake, cookies, chocolate and more. People were going crazy for this milkshake on steroids. However at the time, they weren’t available in the UK. Luckily for me, I live in London – undoubtedly the food capital of England. And of course it was only a matter of time before London picked up on the trend…and made it their own.

Get Your London Freakshake On

So where do you get your London freakshake on? At Soft Serve Society of course! The new eatery has opened in one of Shoreditch’s favourite retail destinations, Boxpark. Offering up soft serve ice cream, cotton candy cones, sundaes, freakshakes, tea and more. If that wasn’t all, there are nods to the owner’s favourites, such as matcha and chiffon cake (homemade by the way).

Luckily I was invited down to try some of their menu, with my friend Vanessa. As concise as the menu is, it’s still pretty tough to choose just one thing. So of course Vanessa and I went for a few. And shared, coz clearly we’re not animals. We chose:

Matcha Freakshake
I was so eager to finally try a freakshake, so when I saw my favourite flavour on the menu, I knew I had to have it. You’d be surprised at just how devourable this really is. Most people would suggest eating it between 2, I say go all out and keep it for yourself. It’s that good! The chiffon cake is airy, and the pocky/cookie and cream are the perfect dipping companions. The milkshake itself carries the perfect hint of green tea; sweet and surprisingly light.
Matcha Madness | Soft Serve Sundae
A must for any matcha/green tea fan, especially if you want something slightly more portable than the freakshake. The sweet azuki beans are the perfect compliment to the slightly bitter (but not too much) matcha. Whilst the mochi adds texture alongside the soft serve. Basically it’s got flavour, it’s got texture. It’s the perfect sundae.
Espresso Yourself | Soft Serve Sundae
I loved the sprinkle of coffee on top of the sundae. It added a slight crunch, and a shot of flavour. Any coffee fan (aka me) will adore this sundae. Out of all of the sundaes we tried, this is the one I can see myself buying on a regular basis.
Where’s My Honey | Soft Serve Sundae
This one is for the sweet toothed out there. The oats and waffle add some extra oomph, but personally I would prefer something with a slightly bitter or salty topping, as the honey and soft serve are pretty sweet. But I know not everyone is down for that. If you love sweet stuff, this is for you.

Overall I loved Soft Serve Society. The draw may be the freakshakes, or the cotton candy ice cream, but it’s a lot more than that. This is the perfect addition to any foodie’s Summer.

Check out more: Where to Eat in London

bloomzy / July 26, 2016

A Wanted Man Cafe… and Brow Bar Waxing Salon?

A Wanted Man | Cafe & Beauty Salon | Website
330 Kings Road, SW3, Chelsea, London

Ever popped by your local cafe and thought you’d get an espresso and a wax to go? No probably not, and whereas the concept may sound a little odd, it’s utterly brilliant. At least that’s what I realised when I stopped by A Wanted Man last week, and did just that.

A Wanted Man | Beauty Salon

In my opinion, any kind of beauty treatment should always be followed by immense relaxation…and food. So a beauty salon located above a cafe is the perfect solution, no? Yes! Say hello to A Wanted Man, the new location from the Ministry of Waxing – yes, THE Ministry of Waxing. Located on Chelsea’s Kings Road, the brow bar and waxing salon sits above a modern, cosy cafe, with an old Western theme.

The Wild West theme flows through to the salon reception upstairs, and through to the treatment corners. I went for a slightly more “private” treatment, so I ventured even further upstairs to a private room. My booking was with Kanada, who was extremely professional, and very friendly. I won’t go into too much detail, but I was left feeling very content with both the service, and the results.

A Wanted Man | Cafe

After my treatment I headed downstairs for lunch. Coz that’s what you do at A Wanted Man. Unless you decide to do it the other way around of course (which is fine too, no one’s gonna judge ya). There’s a very prominent laid-back, 70s vibe to the cafe; I love contemporary interiors with a classic influence.

The coffee here is roasted by Singapore-based specialty coffee roasters, A Common Man, borne out of Five Senses Coffee of Melbourne. I ordered a flat white, which to me is the perfect way of testing coffee – even better if you can have an espresso alongside it. The coffee itself was smooth and went down a treat. Whilst I sipped on said beverage, I waited for my Rainbow Salad. Honestly it was very difficult to choose what to order. The menu isn’t too extensive – that’s a good thing – but everything sounds absolutely mouthwatering. And Instagram-friendly too! My salad arrived in good time and tasted fresh, wholesome and delicious. You can’t really ask for more. Still it’s really no surprise when you find out that the menu is crafted by Michel Bras-trained chefs, Benjamin Darnaud (previously at Viande & Chef in Paris) and Vincent Dery.

Final Thoughts

A Wanted Man is a wonderful addition to Chelsea, and the Ministry of Waxing. Whereas combining both the luxury of a beauty salon, and the comfort of a cafe may still be relatively new to the UK, it’s certainly not lost on its customers; be them new or loyal. Let’s just say that I don’t always go for a wax, but when I do it’s the Ministry of Waxing (brownie points to those who get the reference).

I would highly recommend A Wanted Man, whether you want a beauty treatment, coffee & food, or both! You won’t be disappointed.

You’ll find AWM on Drip App – so don’t forget to use “EXG878” to get £4 free credit and “BLOOMZY20” for an additional 20% off!

bloomzy / July 3, 2016

The Best Coffee in Barcelona – Caravelle | Travel Guide

Caravelle | Coffee & Food | Website
Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 31, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

The Best Coffee in Barcelona?

For me, coffee is vital to any holiday. It perks me up when jet lag sets in, and it keeps me going through the multitude of activities I try to cram into each day. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of the coffee in Barcelona, but thankfully I had a guide. The BCN Best Coffee guide to be exact. The app was created by a friend of mine, whom I trust dearly when it comes to coffee & food; so I knew I was in good hands.

After doing a bit of shopping in La Rambla, I checked out the app to see what coffee shops were close by. Luckily one of the cafes I had taken note of previously was less than 10mins away. That place was Caravelle.

Caravelle

Caravelle is based in central Barcelona, and offers up a variety of artisan coffee, craft beer, and food. We stopped by on a Monday – around midday – and found a free table. The interior is spacious, with tables and bar seating. It’s table service, so no need to go up to the bar. This area is utilised more in the evening, when they serve their own craft beer.

We ordered a cold brew, an iced latte (coz 30c weather), and the French Toast. I’d read that Caravelle’s brunches were pretty well known (and respected) in Barcelona. And apparently the French toast is a must-try. Truth be told I wanted the banana bread, but unfortunately it was sold out – so I assume it’s pretty awesome. Instead the server suggested I try the French toast. I didn’t need much convincing, and I took his word for it. Luckily I didn’t have to wait too long to find out just how it was for myself.

This beast of a brunch is much taller and fatter than I’d expected. Soft toast is loaded with fresh seasonal fruit (strawberries, peaches and blackberries) and cream. Honestly I couldn’t finish this myself, and had to ask for a little help. The tart flavours of the berries mix perfectly with the soft, sweet peach and cream. You’d think a dish with this much bread would get a little dry, but the fruit sauce keeps everything moist.

Final Thoughts

Caravelle is an awesome cafe for coffee or brunch. The laid back atmosphere makes it an easy spot to meet with friends or family, or as a comfortable place to work from. I may have only had one dish, but I could tell that a lot of time and effort goes into their food. The coffee is definitely up there, but next time I’d like to try their flat white or an espresso, to get a better idea. As for service, everyone was friendly and laid back – my kinda place. Quite honestly the food and coffee here is superb, and it’s a must visit for any brunch fans…or lunch…or dinner…

Want to find the best coffee in Barcelona? Download BCN Best Coffee!
See more posts: Barcelona Travel Diary

bloomzy / May 30, 2016

Discovering Japan | Osaka Travel Diary

This year’s Japan trip included a few days in the land of takoyaki, comedians and awesome old ladies. Yes, Osaka was new ground for me. I’d visited the city ever so briefly 5 or so years ago, but had never fully discovered the city. I was eager to see if the people were as friendly as my friends claimed, and whether the food really was some of the best in Japan.

Osaka Travel: Where to Visit

I already had a few ideas of where I wanted to visit whilst we were in Osaka, but we also made some time to catch-up with friends. As someone who only experienced Osaka properly (and trust me, we went for it) this year, I feel like I can give you a few hints and tips on where to visit, and what to do:

Wander Around Osaka Castle – I’m not saying you should go inside and do the whole tourist thing. No. Check it out from the gardens (it’s beautiful), then spend your time eating ice cream – try matcha or kinako – and people watching. If you’re lucky you’ll catch the groups who hang out with their pets – on a good day this may include dogs in costumes, birds of prey and owls. Yep.
Go See The Running Man – Glico’s running man sign is a famous tourist spot for the Japanese when visiting Osaka. Situated in Dotonbori, the running man has been towering over Ebisubashi (ebisu bridge) since the 1930s. It’s a popular spot to take photos – whilst impersonating the sign – and there’s plenty of cool shops and food stalls to check out nearby.
Try Some Takoyaki at Wanaka – Takoyaki (battered balls filled with octopus) is the dish of Osaka. You’ll find this popular dish all across Japan, but it originally comes from Osaka. Wanaka is one of the best in Osaka with a variety of flavours, and prices ranging from £2-£4. Try the Ooiri Set for a taster.
Visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan – This walk around aquarium is one of the largest in the world, and includes a large variety of sea animals. The venue is laid out with 18 areas that represent various countries and regions across the world, with the corresponding sea life.
See Osaka from the Sky – Umeda Sky building may look like a rather impressive office tower, but it’s actually full of restaurants, arcades and a viewing platform. The view from the top is impressive, especially at night.

So there you have it, my Osaka Travel Diary. Feel free to leave your tips for others, and let me know your favourite things to do in Osaka.
See more posts: Japan Travel Diary

bloomzy / May 25, 2016

Good and Proper Tea – The New Afternoon Tea in London

Good and Proper Tea* | Brunch/Afternoon Tea in London – Cafe | Nearest Tube: Chancery Lane | Website

One of my favourite anecdotes from my time in Japan is the afternoon tea tale. Whenever I met someone for the first time (who had not been to the UK/had any British friends), they would without fail ask me “what time is afternoon tea?” This question came up again and again, and I quickly realised that people genuinely see afternoon tea as a part of everyday life in the UK. Unfortunately most of us Brits know this isn’t the case, but I do love to indulge a little every now and again.

The New Afternoon Tea in London

For me, brunch is the new afternoon tea, in London anyway. I love to spend a weekend morning – or a weekday if I’m feeling particularly luxurious – just relaxing with a cup of coffee, and a decent selection of hot food and pastries. In fact I enjoy it so much, I’m constantly searching for new brunch places. Luckily for me, I was invited along to the launch of Good and Proper Tea‘s new Leather Lane store.

Crumpets and Tea!

Ok let’s get to the food! VA and I shared a selection of G&P’s famous handmade crumpets and cakes:

Egg, Mustard, Ham and Cheese Crumpet – Subtle flavours on top of a pillowy crumpet. A unique take on the Croque Madame!
Marmite & Cheese Crumpet – Melted cheese oozes over a soft crumpet, whilst everyone’s favourite yes-no condiment adds a tangy edge.
Blood Orange & Poppy Seed Cake (vegan friendly) – Sweet and a little tart. Stodgy, but in a good way. I could eat this everyday.
Honey and Orange Madelines – These were so delectable and flavoursome. They are definitely my favourite sweet treat at G&P.

Alongside our food I tried the Dragonwell Tea and a Chai Latte, both are personal favourites of mine. Dragonwell tea (aka Longjing) is a roasted green tea. It went extremely well with my breakfast, as it isn’t too bitter or strong a flavour. My Chai Latte was made using milk, however dairy-free versions are available, which I do appreciate. It was a little spicy, and very creamy. Just the way I like it.

Let’s round it up

First things first, I’m the realest… Wait no, that’s not right. The decor! The decor is insanely gorgeous – there are some definite #interiorgoals going on here. Luckily Good and Proper Tea are as much about substance as they are style; as is reflected in their food and tea offerings. We may have gone for brunch, but you could easily while away an afternoon here chatting with friends, “working”, or of course, for afternoon tea.

You can visit Good and Proper Tea in Clerkenwell, Old Street and Brockley Market (find them here).
Read more: Where to Eat in London | A London Life

bloomzy / May 17, 2016

Where to Eat in London: Hurwundeki

Hurwundeki Cafe | Bethnal Green | Nearest tube: Bethnal Green/Cambridge Heath | Website

Where to Eat in London: Hurwundeki

A couple of weekends ago I was invited to stop by Hurwundeki’s cafe, to try out their new brunch menu (Tues-Sat until 3:30pm). For those that don’t recognise the name, this Korean cafe-come-salon-come-restaurant is almost a Bethnal Green institution. Believe it or not, as big of a fan of Korean food as I am, I’ve never been to Hurwundeki. As a resident of East London I have no excuse. Luckily for me I chose the perfect sunny weekend to head over with Ffi, to finally see what they had to offer.

How is the food and coffee?

We ordered two dishes to share: the Avocado & Bacon with chilli, and the Homemade Falafel with beetroot and sesame, both of which came on toast. The former was slightly spicy, and used good quality (crisped) bacon; a well loved favourite that has been executed well. The latter falafel dish was my favourite though. The unique flavours (for a typical brunch) really made this dish stand out. Both came in light, smallish portions, which were the perfect serving sizes for us. That said, they may be a little small for some people. On the bright side, this does leave room for cake – so no need to worry! We tried the Gluten Free & Vegan Peanut Brownie, and the Almond and Chocolate Bread Pudding. Neither were overly sweet or heavy, which I loved. I also appreciated the options for coeliacs and vegans – nice one Hurwundeki!

I grabbed a coffee (easy to do when I have Drip App), which uses Workshop Coffee’s Cult of Done espresso. I loved how smooth and flavoursome (sweet notes of cocoa and maple syrup) this Brazilian coffee was.

Final Thoughts

My only complaint is that Hurwundeki doesn’t carry over the Korean food into their cafe. I would have loved to have seen some Korean-inspired dishes or ingredients pop up on the brunch menu. I imagine this is because a lot of people expect certain foods at brunch in London, which is a shame really. That said, the food here is presented well, and tastes delicious. With dishes starting at around £4.50, this is more than affordable. I’ll definitely be stopping by for brunch again.

You can visit Hurwundeki at 296–299 Railway Arches, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9HA or online here.
Make sure to check out Drip App for some of London’s best independent coffee shops!