A Little Treat Shop

12/19/2015

Crumbs & Doilies

Its difficult to describe this place. I love it of course because they sell treats. It just has this minimalist quality that I get excited over.

Every time I go in, they have a different selection of treats. They appear to change the flavors of their treats quite frequently and I adore that. It makes you go in just to see. It is a very small place, with one display case and a small stone pedestal which holds sugar and stirrers for coffee or tea. There is a counter along the wall and the front window which allows you to sit and eat your treat whilst people watching in Kingly Court. They also always have a sample of something tasty right below the display case:

Peppermint Creme and Raspberry Ripple Cupcakes

Outdoor Seating

Then there is the name of the shop, which seems to be inspired a little by the very English trend of naming businesses after the names of two people. Examples: Whyte & Brown, Holland & Barrett, Marks & Spencer, Russell & Bromley, Tony & Guy etc. But better than all we have:

Crumbs & Doilies

Christmas Cake & Gingerbread Man Cake

Mulled Wine Cupcakes

Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes

Hot Toddy Cupcake & Minis

Jamaican Gingerbread Mini Cupcakes

Rum Truffles

Salted Caramel Minis & Peppermint Cream Cake

Raspberry Ripple Cupcakes

Gingerbread Bars

Take Away Packaging

Salted Caramel Mini

My true love. Salted caramel done right. Just enough salt to balance out the sweetness. But not too overwhelming in either salt or caramel, you get a lot of just plain delicious "cake" essence. And little Christmas tree sprinkles on top for requisite festiveness.

12/17/2015

Marc Patisserie

Entrance to Marc Patisserie Selfridges

Eclair Collection

Mille Feuille Collection

Left to right: Pecan Praline Mille Feuille, Vanilla Mille Feuille, & Toffee Apple Mille Feuille

Lemon Tartelette

Left to right: Lemon Tartelette, Raspberry Rose Tartelette, & Chocolate Tartelette

Chocolate Orange

4 complimentary macarons for purchasing 3 pastries

Left to right: Toffee Apple Mille Feuille, Butterscotch Eclair & Earl Grey Eclair

Butterscotch Eclair

Earl Grey Eclair

12/15/2015

Lola's Cupcakes

I was wandering through an amazing mall on Oxford Street in London when I of course, found myself in the food court. And lo and behold:

Lola's Cupcake Counter @ Selfridges

Seating Area

They have whole cakes and cakes sold by the slice:

9" Vanilla Cake

Beautiful cupcakes:

Mini cupcakes:

"Tiny" Cupcakes

Personalized cupcakes:

Vegan & Personalized cupcakes

And holiday cupcakes:

Holiday Cupcakes

I chose a 4 pack of mins because I know myself and I will eat them all in one sitting so why not lessen the damage.

Left to Right: Apple Crumble mini, Tiramisu mini, Rocky Road mini, & Black-bottom mini.

My favorite was the rocky road because of all of the toppings. Mini marshmallows and chocolate chips were a great contrast to the soft cake. My second favorite was the apple crumble (with real apple pieces), followed by the tiramisu (which had a chocolate covered coffee bean on top!), and lastly the black-bottom cupcake only because it wasn't as jazzy as the others with their unique flavor combinations and toppings. But like most treats these cupcakes were all winners. Can't mess up butter and sugar can you?

12/13/2015

Donuts & Baguettes

I was in Piccadilly Circus on Saturday after a cooking class just looking for a snack. I saw this place a week ago and made a conscious decision to not go in because I lose my head over donuts. Deep fried dough coated in glaze. Its speaks to me.