Stopping by for New Market Cafe for tea and bakery at Couzens Harlow

I was in the Harlow area before getting the train back to London.

The town just felt like a clone of Stevenage from the layout to the types of shops.

Although there are chains like Costa etc I felt like going to a local cafe so went to the New Market Cafe for tea.

The staff there are really friendly and even kept my tea warm while I was outside looking at stuff.

There was an English bakery called Couzens so how could I not get something from there so I got the iced bun which was fluffy and decadent.

The cream they use is synthetic or I would have got the scone too.

Interesting Hainan Chicken at Singapore Food Kopitiam

I tried the Hainan Chicken at Singapore Food Kopitiam.
Although the reviews aren't great, I didn't expect it to be this bad. Perhaps it was the wrong day to dine, as I went right after the holidays, when they might have been serving leftovers from before they closed.

Obviously, Hainan chicken has two main ingredients: rice and chicken.
The state of the rice was concerning - it was smashed, looking like cauliflower rice or Indian poha, with none of the rice grains distinct.
From its state, it appears to be reheated frozen rice, as rice expands when frozen, which smashes it up.
There was a lot of microwaving noises in the background.
Same for the char kuay teo noodles.
The ones on this visit were all mushed and didn't have defined edges like the one Mark Faux posted.

Next, the chicken didn't look like Hainan chicken. Having reviewed and eaten many meals of Hainan chicken, I can say it looks nothing like it. Even though it doesn't look like traditional Hainan chicken, what's worse is that it's inconsistent with the previous ones served at this place shown on Google maps.

The colour of the thigh meat was dull grey, indicating that the chicken had been braised for a long time. The skin wasn't yellow and attached like usual Hainan chicken, and there was an excessive amount of oil and brown sauce. Normally, the chicken is served on a bed of chicken oil and if there is any brown sauce it barely mixes into it due to the density.

A good Hainan chicken is where the chicken is slightly pinkish near the bone an firmly attached.
Given that they are chefs and thought the food was fit to serve like that, I did not bother giving them feedback at the restaurant as they would not see it as a problem.
As for the taste, it was similar to Taiwanese sesame chicken. 

I'm no Jay Rayner, but I do share all my food experiences on most platforms.

The best potted shrimp and classic prawn cocktail at Sweetings

The best potted shrimp and classic prawn cocktail at Sweetings.
I have been meaning to dine here.
Finally made it, sadly many years later when the place is surrounded by new builds etc.
The menu is slightly more modern as I could not find roe on toast nor have I seen it posted on their google reviews or recent social media posts by diners.
Anyway, the plaice was sold out so had the prawn cocktail and potted shrimp as planned.
The potted shrimp was the best ever, sweet seasoned brown shrimp with a lovely moreish spiced golden butter on top.
The prawn cocktail tasted just like mums and served in that nostalgic glass and silver bowl with silver cutlery.
As for the ambiance, it was amazing, I loved how it is mostly the same from 1889.
At the reception you have this gorgeous booth and then you have traditional brollies hanging on the wall.
I felt like I was in a Bond movie served by this waiter who is part of the movie with Roger Moore.
I fell in love seats on the corners where one would have to go under the table to sit there.
Will be back because I love the traditional desserts served with custard or cream!!

Bubble and Egg at 370 Strand

Definitely a memorable bubble because of the thyme, rosemary, chunky cabbage, diced carrots, onions and smashed jacket potato skin.

Castle's Pie Mash, Camden

Castle's Pie and Mash in Camden was a delight!
Loved the liquor with chunky pieces of parsley.
I was glad to see the restaurant bustling with people of all ages during lunch.
They offered the standard menu, featuring pies, mash, liquor and eels.
To top it off, they had a selection of delicious old school puddings.
You can see the pies come out on-site.

 

L'escargot London

It's been a while since I had escargot in France. Luckily, there's a great French restaurant in London, and although I opted for the mussels, the frites were impressive - thin, shoestring-style ones, just like in France.
I highly recommend it; the staff are amazing, and I was lucky enough to get a lovely table.
I finished with the rhubarb meringue, which was decadent and not too sweet, served with beautiful, thick cream.
The Prix Fixe is a great deal, especially considering the dessert alone was £14.
On a side note, I found a pearl in almost every mussel which I thought was gritty.

Crosstown Easter 2025 doughnuts

Crosstown have come out with two Easter doughnuts this year: the Simnel Cake Doughnut and the hot cross bun.

Both were tasty but as usual the cake doughnuts are on the oily side.

The Sinmel cake was spiced and then you have some tasty marzipan.

The biscotti was much nicer than anticipated because there was more pistachio than biscuit bits.