New Row - London

Dark clouds, rain lashing down with no sign of abatement, protected only by a flimsy umbrella that has seen better days, is certainly not the best time to be walking the streets of London in search of new food ideas. 

Of course, weather has no impact and does not deter the serious foodie from its quarry, no matter what is thrown at you the prize will always be obtained. New Row is just off St Martin's Lane in Covent Garden. Business was 'slack' and dribbling much like the rain...

Pan de Vie is relatively new to the food scene in London according to the Catersales website, opening in December, 2015. Pan de Vie, described as a French-Chinese fusion offering good coffee and even better patisserie. Their website is still under construction.

The shop is bright, with white counter tops and good lighting around the main counter. My only criticism would be that the lighting in the corner requires a torch in order to see some very interesting baking products including: Japanese Matcha Melon Bread; Japanese Beef Curry Bread; Cherry Bacon Mayo Bread; Japanese Chicken Teriyaki Bread. 

All items are ready to grab and go priced from £1.95 upwards. I was slightly alarmed that many of these products were not chilled...one can only assume a coach load of Japanese tourists were due in soon! Great blocks of Matcha Castella, a popular Japanese honey-sponge cake, were on sale at £8.95, gift boxes available.

Two employees were working in the shop on the day of our visit both extremely well presented, engaging and obviously loved their jobs! 

Across the road from Pan de Vie is the Jamaica Patty Co. Jamaican food
has been around for a long time but has kept a low profile. This was one of the main reasons that Jamaican born Theresa Roberts decided to open her business, frustrated by a limited Jamaican food offering on the high street, JPC came to fruition in 2013. 








Unlike Cornish pasties the crust is made with Tumeric to give it's distinctive colour. Fillings include, Jerk Chicken; Beef; Spicy Beef, Curried Goat and Vegetable. The owners other half was braving the rain providing samples on the day... and very tasty they were indeed. Having a sweet tooth meant that the Tortuga Rum cake was to die for!

Interestingly, at the top of New Row you will find Benito's Hat a bustling Burritos bar which was doing a roaring trade on this wet and grey day, selling tacos and Mexican tapas all washed down with a Margarita cocktail or a chilled bottled beer. Posted by Spike.

Two Magpies Bakery

SDC Off Road Parking Scheme is a mini success

Southwold has become so popular at weekends that Southwold District Council has introduced a 'one-way' system on both sides of the high street to deal with high volumes of pedestrian traffic. 

Later in the year they, SDC, plan to pedestrianise the whole high street, from dawn til dusk, giving power to people rather than cars and lorries. 

Many locals have given up shopping at the weekend having been forced or should that be shouldered once too often, into the gutter by a spotty 'Sebastian' or pre-pubescent 'Jemima' who has decided to go off in a tiff, forgetting that eighty year-olds don't bounce like they used to.

What No Queue?!

Buying tickets to a Rolling Stones concert is probably easier than trying to find a seat at Two Magpies Bakery. 

This artisan bakery, patisserie and coffee house has been going from strength to strength since it was opened a couple of years ago by Jim and Rebecca Bishop. Jim, an army bomb disposal expert for many years and Rebecca a teacher in a previous life. Jim, learned his trade with stints at various artisan bakeries throughout the UK including Pump Street Bakery another delicious Suffolk baker. 

Business has certainly not bombed (sorry) having seen the queue for bread at 9am on Easter Sunday winding its way down the high street. It reminded me of the days when people used to queue for butter buns at the other end of Southwold high street many years ago.

I'm not sure Jim and Rebecca could have found a narrower shop in which to build their business. Designed by Paul Croft Studios of London, they have used a magpie's nest and douglas fir as their inspiration. Being narrow means you are close to the action and if you are at the right height a cake in the face is not impossible! Handcrafted breads made using flour from Marriages, Essex, also looked amazing. I'm sure we will be back to sample a few loaves later in the year. Coffee also has that artisan feel and sure enough they buy their beans from Allpress a coffee roaster in Shoreditch, London.

The team are young and well trained with plenty of smiles and almost 'lusty' with their enthusiasm for their patisserie delights. It certainly has a London feel and the informal communal seating is reminiscent of places such as

NOTES of Soho and Monmouth of Borough Market. 

As the place was packed we had a takeaway of Salted Caramel Brownies, Mixed Fruit Muffins and Hot Cross Buns. All were delicious, however, the jewel in the crown were the Hot Cross Buns which were sublime. Pricey yes, but, when you consider the offerings available in other shops I for one would gladly pay a few pence more for quality.

One for sorrow, two for joy certainly rings true at Two Magpies Bakery. One Hot Cross bun wasn't enough! 

Psst, the bit about the pedestrianisation of the high street was just wishful thinking.....