All in name of research of course, i spent my birthday dragging a reluctantly willing Mr Cake around London to eat cake, cake and more cake! In the weeks leading up to the special cakeday i obsessively researched afternoon tea options and stumbled across some other cakes that i just had to sample.
So, cake # 1 was the Whoopie Pie from Harrods. I have never forgotton my first Krispy Kreme eaten in Harrod's food hall in the middle of my friend Fler's hen do (such a fun day - cake, limo and champers = superfantastic hen) so when I learnt of this new Whoopie Pie of course I had to have one. And it lived up to my expectations. I tried a Red Velvet which was a couple of red choc cake pillows sandwiched with the most amazing peanut butter cream. Better than Krispy Kremes by far but then also at least double the price I think (something like £2.50). I could've spent all day in the cake section admiring the masses of cute cupcakes. In a little detour to Petworld and past the gorgeous (but extortionate) doggy collars that would look more at home in Accessorize (I was tempted by I don't think my boys are into the feminine look) we came across Pupcakes! A whole counter of cute little cupcakes for pups. Such a good idea! Watch this space - Miss Cake may branch out to Miss Pupcake. I do have a couple of willing testers who are already rather fond of the odd cake crumb.
For cake #2 we didn't need to venture far as Laduree is also in Harrods. I felt like Augustus Gloop on entering this little paradise, a counter bursting with a rainbow of macaroons and pretty little cakes. And the packaging! For a girly pink things loving cake eater this was close to heaven. Afternoon tea here is now on my wish list, although I would rather to whisked off to the Champs Elysees one (you reading this Mr Cake?!). So off we trotted with my little package of treats to sample later, as afternoon tea was beckoning.
Afternoon tea at the Haymarket gave us cake # 3 (and 4, 5, 6...). We were seated in the conservatory which was really lovely and made for a relaxing experience in artfully decorated surroundings. I don't think we would've enjoyed it half as much if we were in the restaurant as it appeared to be full of lunching diners. Good service, good food, great company with Mr C. The cakes were nice but I wouldn't say amazing although as a total package with the sandwiches, scones and champers made for a good selection. The cupcakes were nice but nothing to write home about and the flavours were only slightly bland and unfathomable. The creme patisserie in the tarts was however quite delightful. More than enough food for a couple of greedy guzzlers like us. A lovely afternoon! I would def recommend going here if you can sit in the conservatory.
And out popped the macaroons on the train home, there's always space for a little one! Truly delicious. Slightly crunchy but still soft and melted in the mouth. I was just deliberating which flavour I liked most but I can't decide! The choc, pistachio and praline bring back fond memories. I actually made a box of 8 last nearly a week - that is willpower. My plan for the next rainy saturday afternoon is to make a mountain of macaroons.
Now I am reminiscing about cakes past and looking forward to the cakes of the future but for now I must go and eat a toffee brownie that is calling me from the kitchen .......
