Hotel Review: Kirkdale Hotel

From all the hotel stays, Kirkdale is one that you will remember unlike the modern ones.

There were good and bad points about this place.

Let's start with the good points first in the sense that it was memorable because it is a converted Victorian House so everything is nice and nostalgic.

When you enter the hotel, there is this old library smell about it and the living room and furniture transports you to the past and I love that.

There is free wifi so you won't get disconnected from the world.

The room isn't bad and very comforting as it is more like a bedroom than a hotel room if you miss those Victorian houses.

The only complaint was the sticky worn out carpets, dirty mugs and cigarette smells as there are people smoking inside as well as outside which makes it way in the room.

Choo Choo Snacks Sandwiches and Juices opens inside East Croydon Station

Choo Choo Snacks Sandwiches and Juices have finally opened in East Croydon.

However they are still in teething stages. 

They have some really nice cream cakes but I felt that they should have supporting containers/boxes to sell them because firstly it is difficult eating it from a paper bag on a train. 

I had to request for a fork as well. 

Apart from that, their range of treats are pretty good as you will find danishes, popdots stocked and gu puds.

They also have fresh juices and soft serve to offer.

I got two fresh cream cakes from there, a black forest and a Victoria sandwich.

Both were amazing and it is good to know they come from a bakery in London.

The black forest was seriously good because the chocolate sponge part was soft and it was so good because you could taste the cocoa without being too sweet.

Then you have that fresh cream.

The Victoria was also good but the jam was too much but the sponge part was spot on.

Popeyes coming to East Croydon

Location:

43 George Street, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1LB

 

France: Cheese Hot dog by the carousel near the Eiffel Tower

At midnight, this stall opposite the Eiffel tower by the carousel was the only food stall that was open.

It is part of the carousel amusement area.

Anyway, another opportunistic stall I thought serving hungry people at night for people who don't want to walk to the area where the shops are. 

Tried their cheese hot dog which turned out to be amazing. I am so glad this stall didn't let their capital down.

I think the star of the show was the baguette which is so much nicer than buns and it was warm with a chew yet the crusty with a light crispiness.

The usual suspects, the dog, ketchup and mustard all went well in harmony and then you have this lovely cheese as well.

I can't make out what cheese it was but it was really tasty.

Morleys and Heinz pop up at The Standard!! Fried chicken with CAVIAR!!!!

Morleys and Heinz pop up at The Standard!! Fried chicken with CAVIAR!!!!

Greasy spoons food at its finest: Norman's Cafe

Finally paid Norman's a visit which is located quite near Tufnell Park station.
Would have visited earlier if I knew it was that accessible.
The problem is, the items on the menu are a hit and miss because you can't call them to ask what's on that day or on instagram because no one replies.
It turns out all the fancy items like frazzles, pink custard, scotch eggs, Chips & Curry sauce, Cheese on toast, Scouse, Jam Roly-Poly, Dippy egg & Marmite, Kippers on toast, English Trifle, artic roll, Manchester pudding, Poached plums with cream etc are elusive.
On weekdays, the menu is more basic probably due to footfall but even on a late weekday afternoon, the place was full.
At Norman's kitchen, it is basically greasy spoon caff food with quality ingredients.
Although it is a bit pricier than the regular greasy spoons, the food is original and taken to the next level.
I opted for the bubble and squeak, egg and cheese muffin with brown sauce and rice pudding with jam.
Overall, I was impressed as the delicate bubble and squeak did not have any unpleasant oil taste from the grill, same goes for the egg which was topped with quality Maldon salt.
The rice pudding was comforting and I think there were pieces of date in it if my taste buds serve me correct.

Would love to return for the fancier items as well.

Cherry bakewell milkshake at Capos Desserts, Seven Kings

I was looking for drinks at Seven Kings where there were so many bubble tea shops.

Ended up at Capos because of the Cherry Bakewell milkshake.

It was not a bad milkshake but couldn't quite taste the almond or cherry.

Visually it lacked a cherry to garnish, however it was nice as you could taste that it was a whole cherry Bakewell tart blended with vanilla ice cream.

Anyway, the staff could have been more informative when I asked what was in the milkshakes instead of me suggesting what was in it like ice cream or milk because I don't exactly work there!!