Review: The Boston Tea Party, Bath, UK

I think I have a new favourite breakfast place. 

Boston Tea Party is a chain of all-day breakfast diners across Bath, Bristol and the surrounding areas. I normally am not a fan of chain restaurants - under most circumstances it would turn me off. However, after having breakfast here, the fact the Boston Tea Party is a chain makes me immensely happy - alas I have the opportunity to sample this menu in multiple occasions as opposed to only when I visit the city of Bath. 

The Boston Tea Party delivers on all front. 

The menu is really very good. There is a wide choice ranging from your standard fry ups (with veggie and vegan options), pancakes with compote and yoghurt or syrup and many variations of toppings on toast.

They were offering sourdough bread, pumpernickle, baps and bagels with salmon, sardines, eggs any way you like, nutella and banana, avocado and hummus…. the choice was really exciting and they are flexible if you want a combination different to what is listed on the menu.

No matter if you are looking for a hearty breakfast or something lighter, there is an option available. The price range reflects this. 10 for the hardcore fry up, 7.50 for the standard (see below), 5.50+ for pancakes and anything from 4.50 - 7.50 for *insert whatever tickles your fancy* on toast. 

The food was top quality. It arrived promptly and all worked perfectly. 

The drinks were also of a very high quality. The latte was silky smooth and the Chai latte was just the perfect winter warmer.

I will be returning as soon as I can to The Boston Tea Party. It is a top spot for breakfast. Whatever you’re in the mood for.

Review: Modern Art Oxford Cafe, Oxford, UK

I so badly wanted to like this cafe.

Salad bar? Check. Wide range of veggie options? Check. Good prices? Check. 

However, there were a number of things which really disappointed me with the cafe at Modern Art Oxford. 

Walking into the cafe early on a Sunday morning, we were the first customers. We walked up to the counter and asked about what is included in the 'meal deal' (salad plate, dessert and hot drink) - the staff didn't really seem too sure. So they called over another staff member who I can only assume was higher up on the ladder. However, he didn't seem to know either. Not off to a great start.

Next we asked what was in the various baked goods. They were serving frittatas and slices of pizza - all looked great but none were labelled and the staff were obviously clueless as to what they were. 

After being told that the pizza was vegetarian, I was pretty annoyed (understatement) to bite into it and find it contained salami under the tomato.

They replaced it quickly, nevertheless, the damage had been done. The actual salad components were tasty enough and if you are looking for a cold plate, it's a good enough cafe to stop by.

However, there are better places to go for lunch in Oxford. And more interesting selections of salad available.

If visiting, I would stick to the salad bar section and avoid the cakes. We ordered the coffee cake and it was certainly not freshly baked. It was sickly sweet, over creamy and did not taste remotely of coffee. Any redeeming qualities of the salad selection were quickly overpowered by the taste that this cake left in my mouth.

Overall, I was disappointed with the cafe here and, with so many great eateries in Oxford, I doubt I will be returning.

✭

Review: Friday Brunch at CuiScene, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, UAE

If you've lived in the United Arab Emirates for any period of time, you will know that brunching is serious business.

However, for me, the Friday brunch at the Fairmont stands far above the rest.

Welcome to foodie heaven. Literally. This is as good as it gets.

The choice of foods available is just incredible. But what separates Fairmont from the others is the fact that it is not a case of quantity over quality but an incredibly high standard of both. 

Walk down the stairs of the hotel towards CuiScene and you are greeted with a complimentary mojito and able to sample the incredible canapés on offer (pictured above). Caviar, salmon mousse, crab cones... they not only look stunning but are packed full of flavour. 

If you are going to Friday brunch, skip breakfast. Actually, skip dinner the day before as well. It really is a case of how much can you eat in one sitting because you will want to try everything.

Having had my fair share of brunching experiences, I think the best way to approach an experience like CuiScene is to go in with a tactic:

1. Don't take too much of one thing. Lots of small plates. Sample a bit of everything.
2. It's open for four hours, stay for four hours. Eat slowly.
3. Don't drink anything fizzy.
4. Skip comfort/carby foods. Whilst they serve pizza and baked goods, you can eat get a takeaway any time you want. You won't find scallops cooked especially for you on any takeaway menu so save room for them instead.
5. Don't fill up on mains. Trust me. The salads, starters and fish dishes are the real stars of the show at Fairmont.

Oh! and wear something comfy. A lot of ladies go in bodycon dresses and heels. For what reason I will never know. You might look great in a bodycon leaving the house but after four hours of foodie heaven you will probably regret dressing to impress.

CuiScene opens at midday and people start leaving around 4pm. They won't chase you out but don't expect the food supplies to be replenished.

For both the quality and the quantity of food, it is really exceptionally good value. It starts at 269 AED (50 GBP) for the non-alcoholic package. With 'hops and vines' it jumps up to 319AED (57GBP) and with unlimited champagne, 489AED (88GBP).

I cannot recommend Fairmont highly enough. It is on my list of places to visit whenever I visit Abu Dhabi. 

★★★★★