An Edible Voyage

July 2021 I'm totally onboard with the raw cake craze.  Not only do I feel better being full of nutrients rather than sugar, but I actually prefer them - more flavour, less sickly, and a variety of textures.  It's a win-win in my book.  That's why if I lived in Liverpool, it would be dangerous.  The Nakery is all my dreams come true, a big kid in a (raw) sweet shop. There are so many goodies to choose between - cheesecakes, cake jars, brownies, blondies, cookie dough and chocolate bars - raspberry shortbread, salted caramel... and all vegan and refined sugar free.  I really couldn't choose so I told myself it's not every day that I'm in Liverpool and stocked up! The strawberry cheesecake was delicious - creamy and fruity but light and fresh.  They also have some very exciting fruit and veg combos in their smoothies and shakes - PBJ smoothie with raspberries and peanut butter? Yes please! And the All The Greens smoothie felt like it contained a week's worth ...

April 2021 I made a short pit stop in the Strathbungo area of Glasgow on my way north, to suss out the coffee scene.  Unfortunately it was a Monday so many places were closed, although this did make choosing very much easier! First up was Grain and Grind.  I didn't plan on it but the eye-catching blue and white striped awning drew me in.  The flat white was pretty good and there was an array of exciting looking sweet treats - cappuccino macaron? Yes please! Sadly I was saving myself for my next stop so I didn't indulge. Continuing through Queen's Park I came to Cafe Strange Brew.  Using Glasgow roasted Dear Green coffee beans, and with a substantial and varied menu, and a window full of baked goods, choices were difficult!  One thing jumped out at me though as it seemed to combine many of my favourite things - haloumi, chilli oil, poached eggs, sourdough and humous...this sounded like deliciousness on a plate (or in a box it being Covid times).  Other optio...

January 2021 Having living in Melbourne for several years, the coffee bar was set high and I became a bit of a coffee snob.  This definitely has it's disadvantages as it makes finding a coffee that I really enjoy tricky.  I had sort of given up on finding one in Banbury, satisfying my cravings on visits to Oxford, London or in the nearby village of Great Tew at Quince and Clover (you can read all about that in a separate post).  One day I was cycling to the swimming pool early in the morning when I passed a coffee cart.  It was still closed at that time but I stored it in my 'to be tried at some point' part of my brain (although I must admit, I didn't have particularly high expectations) and then promptly forgot about it.  A few weeks later, an article popped up on my phone about it.  Reading that Harriet had worked as a barista in London for 12 years got me excited - it seemed she could be the one to make me a great flat white! From her small cart, The Bar...

June 2020 For moments of edible bliss, head to Barefoot in Jericho or order online for their brownies and cakes.  This biscoff brownie is sublime - so gooey , so chocolatey and with the caramelised flavours of biscoff.  It should be seriously sickly but somehow it isn't, and above all, it looks beautiful.

March 2020 Haddie and Trilby's chocolate brownies are divine.  Perfectly gooey, and intensely chocolatey without being overly sweet - I'm hooked!  This one is a take on a peanut butter brownie, using halva to give a delicious fudginess, sea salt and tahini for some extra nuttiness. Find it at Haddie and Trilby in Leamington Spa