London: Cocomaya

Tea time was to be at Cocomaya, a charming little bakery that’s close to the bustling Oxford Street where we did our shopping. I find it interesting that like Ottolenghi, the baked goods at Cocomaya are displayed in such an openly tempting fashion; it’s so out there, unlike in Singapore, where cakes and pastries are kept safely within the confines of display cases, which in a way, seem to be more restrained.

12 Connaught Street, Marylebone

Coincidentally, the chocolatier at the Cocomaya chocolate shop next door was having tea with her friend at the communal table where we were seated and it turned out that she’s a Singaporean! I guess it takes a Singaporean to recognise another Singaporean, haha. Anyway, since an insider knows best, we asked her for recommendations~

My favourite was the beautiful lemon pound cake! Moist with a lovely lemony tang, it’s the perfect tea time material. Then there was the pear tart, which was not half bad either, with a shortbread-like buttery crust and sweet soft pear.

The almond croissant didn’t make much of an impression though. There’s nothing wrong with it but compared to the lemon cake and pear tart, this just seems so pedestrian~ Nevertheless, it looks pretty good, right? 🙂