Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Cafe Kitsune at Pantechnicon

Heyya there!

Today I was having my office’s ‘THANK YOU DAY’. Yeah, as I had expected, you must be wondering what kind of thing is that??!? Basically it’s one day extra holiday as the token of appreciation from the company to all the employees who have continuously put their best effort surviving throughout this tough-odd time with working from home. Seemed like the nature just loves me too much, it’s also the last sunny day in the week before the continuous rainy days coming! Not want to miss the chance, I surely went out for nice long walk, enjoying the sunlight. Yep, spending more than 10k steps from my home to the recently opened Pantechnicon in Belgravia area. 



I was actually firstly exposed to this particular alley and immediately got hitched by its classic view. I loved how artsy the building was, with the combination of bricks and green plants at all the corners. The rooftop bar was also awesome, though I didn’t spend my time there as I wanted to try Cafe Kitsune!



Yeah, this well-known French-Japanese brand might have been very familiar to most of you, yet I needed to admit that I was a first-timer for their cafe. I guessed they were not there yet when I stayed in Tokyo back then (or prolly I just didn’t know?). Never mind, better late than never for sure!
The order spot was just there right next to the entrance, displaying all the coffee machines as well as most cakes and savory snacks they sold. As usual, my dessert-holic soul could hardly make its decision on which one to go for. Gladly the tummy quickly sent its response to the brain that it wouldn’t be able to afford having all, so ‘Mr. Brain’ needed to help to think fast before other people in the queue scolded me.



The nice barista friendly offered me his help as well, giving his recommendation on the favorite ones to pick. So there I was putting 2 cakes on my order and surely giving a try on their Cappuccino.


After placing my order, I then picked a sit at the Mezzanine floor. Despite it might look quite petite, actually the seating space at the upper storey was pretty decent, allowing the entire coffee shop to accommodate up to 20 people I guessed. Oh yeah, while waiting for the order to come, you could spend your time looking at the stuffs they sold, which ranged from tableware, clothing, accessories, and doubtlessly coffee beans. 




Cappuccino (GBP 3.5)


Actually I was initially tempted to try their Hojicha Latte, but then finally going with the Cappuccino as I thought let’s try the coffee at the first place. You got the option to customize the milk of your preference, which the barista kindly asked when you placed the order. For me it was slightly too milky for my palate as I fancied bolder coffee flavor. However if you preferred less stronger body in your coffee cup, this might suit you well.


Chocolate Caramel Bar (GBP 6.5)



Kudos to the awesome pastry chef Liza Kermanidou who successfully got me amazed by her creations. All the cakes looked so gorgeous sitting on the display. This first one would be the perfect choice for any chocolate lover. Though I had to honestly admit that I was kinda struggling slicing the cake as they used the single-use wooden cutleries, I completely understood as I believed it’s for hygiene purpose as well. I loved how the sweet chocolate flavor was balanced by the salted caramel touch. The crispy nut texture added extra happiness to the overall bar and came as right companion to the smooth chocolate cream. 

Black Tea and Plum Choux (GBP 6.5)



This second beautifully crafted choux was definitely my favorite! I would recommend this especially if you’re not that much into sweets. Featuring black tea flavored cream and plum jelly, it was refreshing and literally melt in the mouth. I was also surprised by how thin the choux skin was, that it was so crispy and moist. It might be quite pricey compared to other similar choux, but nice to try.


I would say overall I loved the place, given the moderately quiet ambiance (Perhaps it’s also because I went there on weekday!). I might come back again for their other desserts, which certainly woke my curiosity up. That Yuzu Meringue Tart and Matcha Eclair would definitely be on my next list!

Taste: 7/10
Place: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Price: 6.5/10


Thanks for Reading!


CAFE KITSUNE
Address: Pantechnicon, 19 Motcomb Street, Belgravia, London SW1X 8LB


Sunday, September 6, 2020

Rasa Sayang

Wow! Has it been half-year since the last time I wrote a blogpost? Well, I kinda lost count of the months we have been in locked down, but I guessed that’s pretty much able to represent the period I’ve been vacuum from blogging. Not only due to places being closed, but also I’ve been busy baking all weekend and I did find myself keep looking forward to another session every week.

Now that many restaurants/cafes started to open their doors again, I did start to dine out. For sure, still trying to maintain social distance as guided, also as known that they were indeed not allowed to be at full capacity. It went even better in August with government support via ‘Eat Out to Help Out’, which most of you might have known that you could enjoy 50% off when dining at participating restaurant on Monday to Wednesday. Great news that some restaurants extended this on their own till September, one of which was the one I am about to introduce to you.

Located at the heart of Soho, Rasa Sayang settled at one of London’s most favourite places to dine out. Being an Asian, specifically Indonesian, the name of the restaurant definitely sounded very familiar. Having my guesstimate proven to be accurate, it offered Peranakan food; the combination of Chinese, Malay, and Javanese cuisines.

The venue might look kinda petite at the first sight, but once you came into the restaurant, you would notice that it could accommodate quite some people. In the afternoon you did get the option to dine outside, which I personally preferred as it felt more spacious. The theme carried out by the design served strong Peranakan touch. 

I was impressed that they offered abundant choices on the menu, starting from the appetiser, main course, dessert, even drinks! Not having this kind of dishes for quite some time, I would say it’s such tough choice to have to pick only some of them, considering my tummy capacity wouldn’t be able to afford having all (LOL). Noticing that majority of the dishes had that ‘chili remarks’ indicating that they’re spicy, I was beyond excited to give them a try.

Fried Wontons (GBP 5.9)


Starting with the light bites, there were the golden brown crispy wontons. Coming in bite-size, I loved how they’re being light and not greasy despite being fried. The highlight was surely the prawn filling, which was so fresh and generously served. Those fat chewy prawns were scrumptiously mixed with chicken and nicely came with sweet chilli sauce dipping, giving you the great pair of sweet and savory taste in one bite. 

Char Kway Teow (GBP 9.9)


As you could directly spot on, the portion was indeed so fulfilling! Now you could say that it doubtlessly worth the price paid. Not only the size, the abundant toppings would surely get you hooked. Oh boy, it’s just like a seafood party in a plate with those chunks of prawns, squid, and fishcake! Started to drool?


Grilled Stingray (GBP 9.9)


Wait till you saw the star of my dining table, the grilled stingray! Oh I wished my tummy just had bigger space or I had more people to share with, as I was really tempted to go for the big platter which featured selections of grilled proteins including chicken, beef satay, tiger prawns, and stingray. But yeah, worry not as that implied next visit is yet to come! So this time I opted for the gigantic stingray as I guessed I missed it quite too much, realising that I hadn’t had it for long long time. Just like the other seafood I had with the two earlier dishes, the stingray was so fresh, coming in moist texture that it literally melt in your mouth! The sauce on top came as impeccable companion as it just made the taste became richer. PS, don’t get overly worried if you couldn’t take hot dish much as trust me, it’s just decent level of spiciness.

Teh Tarik (GBP 4.5)


Guess what, it surely wouldn’t be enough to just have the foods. Would only be complete by adding the signature Peranakan drink! My favorite one? Absolutely Teh Tarik! For a sweet tooth like me, I might want it to be slightly sweeter given its bold tea flavor, but I guessed other palate would thought it’s just the right sweetness. Hot or cold, both seemed to give nice finishing to tonight’s dining session!

Ohhh! Not to forget what I brought home for my breakie, Kaya Spread! Who doesn’t love having kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, and either teh or kopi tarik to start the day? I bet it’s just an irresistible set!


By the way, just to remind you the great news I mentioned earlier, Rasa Sayang did extend their ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ period throughout the entire September so you’d better not missing this rare chance ;)

Taste: 8/10
Place: 7/10
Service: 8.5/10
Price: 7.5/10

Thanks for reading! :)


RASA SAYANG
Address: 5 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4RE
Operating Hours: Mon - Thu 12-3pm, 5-10.30pm, Fri - Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-9pm
Phone: (+44) (0) 20 3730 3938


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