I have been through this before. Wedges are not an acceptable style of footwear. And yet, there seems to be a current fashion for suede or fabric covered, very large, wedges. They are quite, quite horrible and ruined every outfit I saw last night. There were plain black shoes and boots. Just awful. And even a pair of leopard print ones. Horrifying.
One can only hope the madness passes quickly.
xx
Monday 3 January 2011
Wednesday 16 June 2010
iCafe
Last week flew by (I'm finding this one is as well) and I suddenly found it was the weekend again. I find everything and everyday in Glasgow exciting, which is only exacerbated when I drink coffee. The delightful coffee I had on Friday afternoon in iCafe had the usual effect of of making me wonderfully happy and content with my current lot in life, as well as overly energetic. Although this happens everytime I drink a good cup of fresh coffee it always pleasantly surprises me.
Anyway, back to the topic. The hour I spent in iCafe was surpassingly enjoyable. As I have said, the coffee was delightful and my goats cheese, caramalised onion and pesto panini was lovely. The goats cheese was strong, but not over powering, the contrast of the sweetness of the onions was just right and the nuttiness of the pesto was a wonderful finishing touch.
I couldn't help but sample a cake. Willpower evaded me and I had a chocolate muffin. I initially had low expectations as it looks like the cakes are brought in and I sometimes find that this leads them to be slightly stodgy and tasting too processed. Therefore, I was surprised when the muffin was fresh tasting and light with plenty of chocolate to satisfy my inner chocoholic.
iCafe really is lovely. It has a spacious and calm layout; the tables aren't cramped and there is internet access if you need it. There are large windows for people wathcing and there are tables outside for when the weather is nice.
In conclusion, this cafe ranks highly on my list. I've even picked up a loyalty card for future visits. The long opening hours and coffee, panini and cake deals are definitely things I want to take advantage of.
Anyway, back to the topic. The hour I spent in iCafe was surpassingly enjoyable. As I have said, the coffee was delightful and my goats cheese, caramalised onion and pesto panini was lovely. The goats cheese was strong, but not over powering, the contrast of the sweetness of the onions was just right and the nuttiness of the pesto was a wonderful finishing touch.
I couldn't help but sample a cake. Willpower evaded me and I had a chocolate muffin. I initially had low expectations as it looks like the cakes are brought in and I sometimes find that this leads them to be slightly stodgy and tasting too processed. Therefore, I was surprised when the muffin was fresh tasting and light with plenty of chocolate to satisfy my inner chocoholic.
iCafe really is lovely. It has a spacious and calm layout; the tables aren't cramped and there is internet access if you need it. There are large windows for people wathcing and there are tables outside for when the weather is nice.
In conclusion, this cafe ranks highly on my list. I've even picked up a loyalty card for future visits. The long opening hours and coffee, panini and cake deals are definitely things I want to take advantage of.
Sunday 6 June 2010
Tinderbox
Yesterday I returned to Tinderbox to sample their menu. The weather, unusual for Glasgow, was lovely, and my lunch companion and I were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. Unfortunately this was probably the biggest highlight of the afternoon.
My latte, unlike the americano of the week before was slightly harsh and although drinkable, not nearly as smooth as I usually like. When it is just a case of needing a caffeine fix this is fine, but not when you have chosen specifically to go out for lunch and good cup of coffee.
My sandwich. On paper it sounded good. Mediterranean veg and houmous, it's very similar to my favourite from Opposite. However, the reality was did not nearly match up. The bread was too cold from being in the fridge and the houmous was average. The aubergine was a nice touch though. It wasn't that it was bad, it just wasn't ground shatteringly brilliant, and it didn't leave me wanting to have another one.
I decided that it was time for the chocolate cheesecake they had in the display to enter my life. I'd been thinking about this cheesecake for a while. Again, this was very average. Although the texture was perfect, it had that slightly old, cheap calender chocolate taste and for a chocolate cheesecake it simply wasn't rich enough. In cheesecake terms I think I have been spoiled by the dark chocolate cheesecake from Harvey Nichols, which was so rich it would put off all but a few die hard chocolate fans (I thought it was wonderful). This is a marker that is hard to match up to.
It sounds like I didn't like my lunch at all. On the contrary I did. Everything was very edible. It just wasn't in the ranks of my favourite lunchtime haunts of Leeds. However, I am ever the optomist and I am not writing off Tinderbox as a lost cause. There were other sandwiches and a selection of pasta and noodle boxes which may live up to expectations, and the taste I had of my friends carrot cake (light and spongy, with hints of cinnamon in the icing) restored my faith in their baked goods selection. I think another trial will be neccessary.
My latte, unlike the americano of the week before was slightly harsh and although drinkable, not nearly as smooth as I usually like. When it is just a case of needing a caffeine fix this is fine, but not when you have chosen specifically to go out for lunch and good cup of coffee.
My sandwich. On paper it sounded good. Mediterranean veg and houmous, it's very similar to my favourite from Opposite. However, the reality was did not nearly match up. The bread was too cold from being in the fridge and the houmous was average. The aubergine was a nice touch though. It wasn't that it was bad, it just wasn't ground shatteringly brilliant, and it didn't leave me wanting to have another one.
I decided that it was time for the chocolate cheesecake they had in the display to enter my life. I'd been thinking about this cheesecake for a while. Again, this was very average. Although the texture was perfect, it had that slightly old, cheap calender chocolate taste and for a chocolate cheesecake it simply wasn't rich enough. In cheesecake terms I think I have been spoiled by the dark chocolate cheesecake from Harvey Nichols, which was so rich it would put off all but a few die hard chocolate fans (I thought it was wonderful). This is a marker that is hard to match up to.
It sounds like I didn't like my lunch at all. On the contrary I did. Everything was very edible. It just wasn't in the ranks of my favourite lunchtime haunts of Leeds. However, I am ever the optomist and I am not writing off Tinderbox as a lost cause. There were other sandwiches and a selection of pasta and noodle boxes which may live up to expectations, and the taste I had of my friends carrot cake (light and spongy, with hints of cinnamon in the icing) restored my faith in their baked goods selection. I think another trial will be neccessary.
Saturday 29 May 2010
Pretentious, but necessary
Today I ventured out to find a farmer's market to buy fruit and veg. I found where the farmer's market is normally located but it was sans market today as I miscalculated on the weekends. Apparently May has 5 weekends, not 4.
The frequently raining weather called for me to wear my newest, pretentious but completely necessary, accessory. A lovely black pin-striped trilby. However, I am assured by my new flatmate that it takes a lot of hard work to look pretentious in the Byres Road area as there is a lot of competition, so I think my hat and I are safe.
I sheltered from one of the rain deluges in a randomly chosen cafe called Tinderbox, there are A LOT of cafes to choose from on Byres Road and it should keep me occupied for quite some time. The coffee in Tinderbox was lovely, I opted for an Americano in my continued bid to drink less milk based drinks. It was smooth, not at all bitter and wonderfully drinkable. Although I didn't buy any food, there was a tempting array of cakes (including a dark chocolate cheesecake which will need to be in my life at some point) and a varied menu of freshly made sandwiches and salads. I will certainly be returning to this cafe, especially as it is open until 11pm which will make it perfect for after work cake related relaxation.
The frequently raining weather called for me to wear my newest, pretentious but completely necessary, accessory. A lovely black pin-striped trilby. However, I am assured by my new flatmate that it takes a lot of hard work to look pretentious in the Byres Road area as there is a lot of competition, so I think my hat and I are safe.
I sheltered from one of the rain deluges in a randomly chosen cafe called Tinderbox, there are A LOT of cafes to choose from on Byres Road and it should keep me occupied for quite some time. The coffee in Tinderbox was lovely, I opted for an Americano in my continued bid to drink less milk based drinks. It was smooth, not at all bitter and wonderfully drinkable. Although I didn't buy any food, there was a tempting array of cakes (including a dark chocolate cheesecake which will need to be in my life at some point) and a varied menu of freshly made sandwiches and salads. I will certainly be returning to this cafe, especially as it is open until 11pm which will make it perfect for after work cake related relaxation.
Tuesday 18 May 2010
A question of footwear
I find that people forget that footwear can make or break an outfit. I see too many women out and about who are wearing perfectly acceptable clothing and then their shoes just totally ruin it. Running trainers (mostly unacceptable unless you are actually going to do exercise). Flat, square shoes that look like bad mens shoes (comfortable, perhaps. Neccessary? No). Crocs (Never). There are so many shoe shops and so many different styles of shoe that it astounds me that some women can not find a pair which compliments what they are wearing.
A note on wedges. These shoes/sandals are almost definitely unacceptable in almost all situations. Perhaps when you are somewhere hot and foreign and the wedges are subtle and stylish (if there is such a thing as a stylish wedge. Although I'm sure designers such as Christian Louboutin may be, or the late Alexander McQueen may have been, up to such a challenge). Although I am of the opinion that even in a situation such as this, this type of footwear should be a definite last resort. On a bus in Bromsgrove? No. In May? No. With peep toes and tights underneath?? Unacceptable.
A note on wedges. These shoes/sandals are almost definitely unacceptable in almost all situations. Perhaps when you are somewhere hot and foreign and the wedges are subtle and stylish (if there is such a thing as a stylish wedge. Although I'm sure designers such as Christian Louboutin may be, or the late Alexander McQueen may have been, up to such a challenge). Although I am of the opinion that even in a situation such as this, this type of footwear should be a definite last resort. On a bus in Bromsgrove? No. In May? No. With peep toes and tights underneath?? Unacceptable.
Saturday 8 May 2010
Cookies, and sex
Anyone who says that chocolate is better than sex, has never had good sex.
However, this phrase can be modified. Some chocolate, is in fact, better than some sex.
The freshly baked giant cookie that I was privileged to try yesterday was definitely better than some of the sex I have had (and really, some guys are just awful, it just doesn't work). A fresh, sticky, melting chocolate cookie is definitely way up on the sex and chocolate hierarchy.
However, this phrase can be modified. Some chocolate, is in fact, better than some sex.
The freshly baked giant cookie that I was privileged to try yesterday was definitely better than some of the sex I have had (and really, some guys are just awful, it just doesn't work). A fresh, sticky, melting chocolate cookie is definitely way up on the sex and chocolate hierarchy.
Thursday 6 May 2010
Pickles and Potter vs. Opposite
On Monday, much to mine and my coffee and cake companions' dismay our usual haunt of Opposite was closed. Therefore, we headed out into Headingley to search for a suitable alternative.
I had often walked into the Pickles and Potter cafe in the city centre, looked at the menus, the delicious looking food fridge and the home made cakes, decided that it was above my price bracket and turned around again. I am severely regretting those many decisions now. In the second of their cafes in Headingley the jacket potato I had was crispy, the houmous smooth, the chutney wonderfully tangy and the side salad a lovely addition to my lunch. The skinny mocha managed to retain a creamy chocolate texture that many coffee shops (starbucks and I hate to admit Opposite) don't. The crowning glory of this coffee has to be the addition of a tiny bite size piece of their award winning brownie. After trying it one can truely tell why it is award winning. It is so chocolatey and smooth it melts in your mouth. Perfection in a bite sized piece. The whole experience was topped off by my choice of desert, lemon cake. The triangular slab of cake was light and spongy as well as zesty and tangy.
I am disappointed in myself for not going to this cafe earlier in my life. I only spent 3 and a half years in Leeds! The food, rather than the coffee and cake, is more expensive than my ranking Leeds favourite, Opposite, but it will definitely be on my list of places to go when I am visiting friends.
A quick note on Opposite. I couldn't leave Leeds without a visit here. The coffee was strong but smooth, my houmous, feta, roasted peppers and spinach sandwich was on delightfully soft brown bread and the sweetness of the peppers still combines wonderfully with slightly sour but soft taste of the feta. It will take something truely extrodinary to replace Opposite as my favourite Leeds cafe (although it gets many points from sentimentality).
I had often walked into the Pickles and Potter cafe in the city centre, looked at the menus, the delicious looking food fridge and the home made cakes, decided that it was above my price bracket and turned around again. I am severely regretting those many decisions now. In the second of their cafes in Headingley the jacket potato I had was crispy, the houmous smooth, the chutney wonderfully tangy and the side salad a lovely addition to my lunch. The skinny mocha managed to retain a creamy chocolate texture that many coffee shops (starbucks and I hate to admit Opposite) don't. The crowning glory of this coffee has to be the addition of a tiny bite size piece of their award winning brownie. After trying it one can truely tell why it is award winning. It is so chocolatey and smooth it melts in your mouth. Perfection in a bite sized piece. The whole experience was topped off by my choice of desert, lemon cake. The triangular slab of cake was light and spongy as well as zesty and tangy.
I am disappointed in myself for not going to this cafe earlier in my life. I only spent 3 and a half years in Leeds! The food, rather than the coffee and cake, is more expensive than my ranking Leeds favourite, Opposite, but it will definitely be on my list of places to go when I am visiting friends.
A quick note on Opposite. I couldn't leave Leeds without a visit here. The coffee was strong but smooth, my houmous, feta, roasted peppers and spinach sandwich was on delightfully soft brown bread and the sweetness of the peppers still combines wonderfully with slightly sour but soft taste of the feta. It will take something truely extrodinary to replace Opposite as my favourite Leeds cafe (although it gets many points from sentimentality).
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