french madeleines with raspberries and fresh lemon curd.

I love Paris but who doesn't right? Living less than 15 mins away from Kings Cross St. Pancreas, OH and I have booked a day trip to Paris after the Summer. I can't wait. I have been to Paris numerous times and each have their own memories. 

This time, however, I want to visit the best thift store I have ever visited near the Gard de Nord. A chance encounter has now resulted in a long distance love affair ;)

I bought a new french cookbook by Rachel Khoo called The Little Paris Kitchen to bridge the gap until I go. I am not ashamed to say it but I want to be Rachel. I love her kitchen, her style and her bright lipstick! This is the stand out recipe for me, French Madeleines with raspberries and homemade lemon curd. So quick, easy but extremely delicious. I never knew fresh lemon curd was so easy to make. The only thing though is that you need to get a madeleine tin ..which for me is an investment as I know I will be making them again and again and again.

fresh out of the oven

delicious

claridges high tea

Fact. I love tea. This isle is famous for it's tea and it's tea drinkers. Unlike continental Europe, tea is drunk with milk...always.

Another fact. Tea is personal and everyone likes to drink it in their own special way. Strong, weak, little milk, a lot of milk, with sugar and without sugar. Its complex.

What goes best with tea? Cake. So my Scottish friend and I ventured to Claridges for High Tea. There is nothing I enjoy more than good conversation with an old friend over tea and cake and hence I thank the Universe that someone invented high tea.

I have been to The Dorchester twice before and The Ritz for high tea and so I wanted to see how another establishment did it. Checking out the Tea Guild Awards Of Excellence list we chose Claridges Again with anything that is good in London we booked months in advance to get a time and date that was convenient for us.

The hotel itself is steeped in history with photos all over the lobby of its famous visitors. With architecture and buildings being the main part of my job I really appreciated all the original art deco features inside.

The Lobby

The Tea Room

On to the tea. The choice of tea was excellent and the food was also excellent and unlimited. Yes you heard right, food at high tea is unlimited. All the high end establishments offer unlimited portions of cake and sandwiches but in reality there is only so much one can consume. 

In my opinion I felt that The Dorchester is the better place to experience high tea. The service is razor sharp and the food just seemed more memorable. They offer a sandwich, scone, pastry and chocolate course whilst Claridges only had the first three courses. By no means, Claridges was not bad but The Dorchester just edges in front on the service alone. The Ritz for me did not impress so it comes in third after The Dorchester and Claridges.

nathalie lete

So let me introduce you to my latest obsession..Nathalie Lete plates from Anthropologie.

I remember seeing these a while ago but the price put me off as I had just purchased a property and hence colourful plates were not a priority at the time. Anyway I was in Anthropologie on King's Road at the weekend and they were still there and fortunately for me, my friend offered to buy two for me as a way of a thank you for letting her stay at my place for the weekend. 

I love Nathalie's illustrations for their colour and quirkiness. Her website is here. She is half french and japanese and I can see influences from both cultural backgrounds in the style of her work.

An obsession doesn't stop at two plates so I went back and bought four more. I actually want two more so my collection is a nice even eight but the OH has told me enough is enough...for now ;)

I have seen many stating that they buy the plates for display only but I think these plates are so delicious and good enough to eat.....from.

I love them all but I think the girl and boy plate are extra quirky