Crepe Affaire

I’ve begun a deep love affair with Crepe Affaire in Wimbledon! The atmosphere inside is welcoming and unimposing. The light from the large neon heart soothes the wounds of abandonment from our English sun and bathes the inside of the bakery with a golden warmth. On a rainy, grey day I believe that treating oneself to a warm, rich and indulgent (and in my case, dripping in carbs) delicacy is not just fair, but utterly essential and completely logical behaviour. 

Crepe Affair has a selection of savoury, sweet and vegetarian crepes, waffles and other pastries. I opted for a sweet crepe (of course!) and chose the ‘I’ll have what she’s having’- fresh strawberries, Nutella, whipped cream and an ice-cream scoop of your choice (I went for caramel ice-cream). Marc opted for a more masculine choice (!) and demolished a ‘Chicken Supreme’- marinated chicken, cheese, tomato, mushrooms and spinach. Other options that caught my eye were ‘The Londoner’ (naturally!)- scrambled egg, cheese and bacon or sausage, and the ‘Apple Crumble’-  apple, cinnamon, sultanas, crumble and butterscotch.     

Prices are reasonable, service is quick and friendly. No fuss, just food therapy!

 

I now just need one of these to deliver to my house... everyday!

GOLD Restaurant by Dolce and Gabbana, Milan

The power of the brand is constantly growing, developing and evolving in our modern day society. As a marketer, it’s an idea that intrigues me particularly when explored in relation to events and hospitality. So a restaurant built with a concept to combine a luxurious fashion brand with Italian cuisine is in my opinion, worth jet-setting for.    

In 2006, Dolce and Gabbana opened ‘GOLD’ a multi-purpose restaurant, bar, bistro and nightclub in Milan. “We’re not about minimalism, we’re massimalismo,” is the opinion of Stefano Gabbana and in this instance he cannot be argued with. True to its name, everything (and I mean everything... toilet seats included) is gleaming gold. GOLD oozes luxury, beauty and classicism. The presentation of their vintage Sicilian menu serves fashion on a gold platter. Cutlery, menus, glasses, chocolates... everything is branded with their platinum D&G GOLD  logo. A dinner for fashionistas, dine here knowing you’re in glamorous company, the Beckhams, Ana Wintour, the Kardashians, Scarlett Johansson and Claudia Shiffer have all rested their derrieres here. I went along with my own bella italiana and fabulous friends, and had an truly unforgettable evening. 

Ti amo Milano e ti adoro Gold! 

Aubaine says it's Spring

Despite the horrid weather we're experiencing Aubaine is simply blossoming. A chain restaurant with seven different homes including Regent Street, Kensington and Mayfair, Wimbledon Village is the newest location and the closest to home for me. The relaxed, effortlessly chic ambience of Aubaine is perfectly suited to the village. 

Aubaine Wimbledon is charming, feminine and delicious. A secret garden with hydrangeas and lavender blooming from shelves, table tops and baskets; pastel coloured macaroons and meringues have been toppled into jars and vases, and warmth is spread from candle-lit tables and the smell of freshly baked baguettes. I love the rustic chairs and sweeps of taupe, egg-shell paint; a balance of french charm and modern London. This is an ideal place for afternoon-tea and so on a lazy Saturday afternoon, my mother and I visited for tea and desserts!

We arrived at 4pm to avoid peak times. It’s very busy at lunch and dinner so be sure to book if you’re hoping to dine. I think the restaurant is beautiful during the day as the light that spills in through the french windows complements the delicate, pastel colours within. There's also a secluded terrace hidden away at the back of the restaurant which will be stunning in the summer months.

As expected with a French cuisine, the menu favours fish, wine and cheese (which is fine by me!) I’d recommend the Sea Bass from a previous visit. 

When ordering desserts you’re presented with a selection of patisseries that look almost too pretty to eat! Mother went for a macaroon and I chose the ‘dessert of the week’ a strawberry, iced sponge. Both were very scrummy; the macaroon was delectably chewy and my sponge was light and very tasty. We left smiling and light footed (not just because it lightened the contents of our purses- Aubaine is by no means cheap and cheerful) after an indulgent afternoon in an oasis that celebrates the joie de vivre!  

Bounce

A dear friend of mine recommended a trip to ‘Bounce’ the new ping pong bar in Holborn. Ping pong has never exactly been my forte but regardless, I was intrigued to see how they’d put this space together. Bounce is not your average hang out. The pitter-patter of bats and balls is accompanied by fantastic electric grooves and old school cheese that has you dancing away as you play. The bar is lively and the journey to it is an adventure in itself as you dip and dive between ping pong tables and rogue balls. The club’s decor is edgy and vibrant with ping pong memorabilia scattered around and a themed menu to suit; you can sip on a ‘Match Point Margareta’ or demolish a ‘Players Board’ sharing platter with friends. Its creativeness is certainly fitting for the Hatton Garden district. The atmosphere is buzzing and contagious; before long you’ll be posing with your bat for pics and swearing to take up ping pong semi-professionally (although that may have been the Margareta talking...)