Review: Blackbird Tea Rooms

 On a day off, there is nothing I like more than a good old breakfast out, and discovering new places I've seen on different blogs and sites, today we are looking at Blackbird Tea Rooms in the South Lanes, the photos don't do it justice, lets put it that way.

You don't get more traditional than this for a tea room, and I don't even drink tea!

And the cakes! Well can't say I have actually tried them but they look exquisite, what you would think an old-fashioned cake in those days looked like!

And even the rest of the decor is like a museum within itself!

But... Breakfast is what we came for, and Breakfast it is! And I have saved the bestest for lastest.

Having been here several times I have always been quite boring and ordered the same thing, but it's what I come here for, the Cinnamon French Toast with Bacon drizzled with maple syrup (Oh well it's Sunday) and a good old cappuccino!

  
And yes, here it is...

I know...

And yes me, being me, loves a bargain, well check this out, they have breakfast deal going on weekdays before 11am, any breakfast dish you get 50% discount and a coffee/tee free! BAR-GAIN!

Well worth a visit, have been here several times and always sing their praise.

Ta ta for now!!

TMS

Fresh pizza, come and get it!

Hey dudes, On a Sunday wanting to share with you a great pizza recipe, for the nicest, tastiest, crunchy, home made pizza dough and toppppings! The recipe is from ye old Jamie Oliver and goes a little like so...

• 
  

  1 kg white bread flour or Tipo '00' flour, or 800g strong white bread flour or Tipo '00' flour, plus 200g finely ground semolina flour

  
  


• 
  

  1 teaspoon fine sea salt

  
  


• 
  

  2 x 7 g dried yeast sachets

  
  


• 
  

  1 tablespoon golden caster sugar

  
  


• 
  

  4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  
  


• 
  

  650 ml lukewarm water

  
  

Veeeery simple, just mix all together in a LARGE bowl and then work on a floured surface, knead until it has all come together and you have a beautiful springy dough. Put back in the to bowl (flour the inner first) and let it spring to life for 40mins to 1h in a warm area (next to radiator, airing cupboard?!). I was able to then separate the dough in 3 balls and made 3 different pizzas!

Pictures as followed.

First up, my FAVE, veggie pizza, with courgettes, onion, red pepper and a little spinach.



Second for the meat lovers, turkey slices and frankfurt sausages



And last but not least, ham and pineapple and magic ingredient, Heinz tomato ketchup, yep, love it or hate it, it's on there!



In the oven they go! This pizza base does cook quicker than shop bought pizza I find as its fresh, so make it as crispy or as doughy as you like!



And the end result is....!! Be prepared to droooollll....





 
Really worth making your own pizza and this really is a very good recipe for the base! Have fun with it!

TMS

Theres a Kings bun in the oven!

After the masses of eating that people already do at Xmas, in Spain, the fun doesn't stop there!! We add another day to celebrate the arrival of the 3 kings giving the presents to baby jesus blah blah blah... and then there's bun!! :)



Of course with every best celebration comes a good culinary tradition, this one includes the ROSCON DE REYES, translated as The Kings Ring!

As not currently in Spain didn't want to miss out on the fun so decided I would have my first EVER attempt at making this lovely dessert, and boy was it goood!

Heres how I did it!

Ingredients/ingredientes

• 650g strong white flour


• 250ml milk @ room temperature


• 30g fresh yeast por 15g dry yeast


• 120g sugar


• 120 unsalted butter


• 2 eggs


• 10g salt


• 2 teaspoons orange essence


• Rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon

To decorate

• 1 egg


• 2 tablespoons sugar


• Fruit

METHOD

1. First of all we are going to make a batter with 3 ingredients, a little bit of the flour, a little bit of the milk and the yeast. Mix together in a bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm area (next to radiator, or airing cupboard) for around 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile we are going to mix the rest of the ingredients in a larger bowl and create our main dough by adding, after the 15-20 minutes the first batter.

 

3. This dough is going back in the bowl. Cover it and leave to rest for 1  hour in warm area.

4. Now, give it some shape!!

5. Leave to rest for another hour, yes.... and it will double in size!!

6. Paint lightly with a beaten egg and decorate to taste!

I used sliced orange, almonds and some sugar mixed with some water so it turns a little crunchy in the oven.

and.... bake!! around 20-30 minutes at 180º until golden brown

Important to make yourself a coffee and show of your new bargain PJ's (reduced to 9.50 from 32 pounds!!) from Boux Avenue and lens mug from Urban Outfitters.

Leave to cool fully, this bun is served room temperature and usually filled with cream, so whip up some cream!!

Well worth the hours wait, highly recommended recipe everyone, enjoy!

Review: igigi upstairs cafe!

Along the Hustle and bustle of Western Road Brighton lies a hidden cafe igigi on the top floor of a furniture and home accessories store. Discovered this cafe by chance, as at a glance it actually looks like a shop, but the upstairs always looked so busy that decided to go in, and then went again, again and again!!








I really could not fault this place, a real must have for Breakfast or afternoon tea. I know they do lunch, but have enjoyed the other stuff so much that havent got round to trying the lunch, but I'm sure it wont disappoint.

Walk in to a "beige and neutral toned" furniture shop, attention to detail, it's a beautiful shop to have a stroll into, every day they put outside the shop fresh flowers, plants, like a vintage market fair to invite you in. Up the beautiful staircase lies a hidden cafe that can be incredibly quiet and then get really busy all of a sudden.

May I just clarify I have visited igigi on various occasions and the photos are from different days, no I do NOT order all of this on same day!! (Although, if I could I would haha).

First the whole ambience of the place, continuing the theme of the store, beige and clean colours is the main colour palate. Giving a Shabby chic style.

Various pine communal tables scattered over an open plan kitchen/cafe.







igigi is a small cafe but oh boy does it deliver!!

First of all the cakes!







Breakfast time!

On the Menu today we have a couple of things from a few visits.

• The Breakfast Loaf. So Yummy. Served with honey and Yogurt. Includes a Coffee and this board for £6,50.

The bread baskets. A fan of the carbs. This platter is served for one or two people, and you can choose your toppings.









The attention to detail I can't really stress how important it is here, all the dishes are served with berries, coulis, icing powder, Physalis, everything carefully scattered by the friendly waitresses who make you feel most welcome.

This is the hot chocolate (£3.50) with a difference! A warm mug of frothy milk with a block of Belgian chocolate on a stick for you to dunk and for it to melt in the milk.

In the background a cheeky slice of Coffee and Walnut cake.



And last but not least the Breakfast Eggy Soldiers!!



Oh my, what a choice, no doubt I will be back.

A must visit on Western Road,

Hope you enjoy,

Keep Snapping!

The Mad Snapper