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.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
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.
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