miss b loves...... Chocolat Chic

I just love stylish coffee shops/pâtisseries and here's another one in Dubai again!
It's at the far end of Dubai Marina on The Boardwalk not far fron the Sheraton Hotel on the ground floor of Dorra Bay appartments. There's an overall French theme with a huge Eiffel Tower picture across one wall and glossy, bright purple and white décor.

miss b loves .....Tea Palace, Covent Garden

I am a bit of a tea snob starting my day with Twinings English Breakfast (it just has to be Twinings!) with Earl Grey or Green Tea with mint as a favourite afternoon tipple. I'm not really very adventurous with tea - smoky lapsang souchong, iced teas etc. just aren't my thing but strolling through Covent Garden the other day I came across a gorgeous shop with two assistants outside with a glass tea infuser filled with tea and slices of fruit and they were offering samples of iced blood orange tea. I was so impressed with this summery, refreshing drink that I had to buy some (and the tea caddies are so stylish!)

miss b loves............ cupcakes

My favourite part of a birthday party has always been the fairy cakes preferably iced in pink with a cherry on top or, for a really special treat, butterfly cakes oozing with raspberry jam and whipped cream with a dusting of icing sugar on the 'wings'. However, these days I have moved on to the more grown-up cupcake. I have searched the world for the perfect one from the Magnolia Bakery in Bloomingdales to The Hummingbird Bakery in London via Fiona Cairns, More in Chicago and various coffee shops here and there but I think I've found cupcake heaven at Sugar Daddy's in Dubai Marina.

They display them in a gorgeous colour co-ordinated way with witty names describing them beautifully...Fake Blonde, Gold Digger, Beach Babe (complete with parasol!), Tanned and Toned (that's a chocolate cupcake with caramel frosting, of course)and obviously Red Velvet..... etc. etc.

                                                                                                 

miss b loves .........The Ivy, Dubai

The Ivy, Dubai opened its doors on 9th June 2011 at The Boulevard of the luxurious and iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers. It has a brasserie-style menu with a selection of traditional Ivy dishes but takes account of local produce and regional inspiration...It sounded just perfect ......

                           
The question is whether this version of The Ivy will live up to the Soho London original. They've managed to recreate the look of the London restaurant with oak panelling and green leather banquettes and the food is certainly excellent with very well-trained, attentive and friendly staff who seem to enjoy interacting with the customers. However,for those obsessed with celebrity culture, for the time being, there may well be far fewer celebs to spot! (on our visit chef Gary Rhodes was enjoying his evening a few tables away)  

It was hard to believe that this was a newly opened restaurant as the busy, lively ambiance was that of an established one. So, the all important food .........The menu offers a wide range of dishes -there really is something for everyone but with the temperature outside hitting the 40s the iced tomato soup was an obvious choice. It was  perfect  with  baby mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves floating on top.

miss b loves........ Taksim, Beyoğlu Istanbul

 

A trip to Istanbul would not be complete without a day in Taksim, Beyoğlu the heart of Istanbul starting with a stroll around the Gelata district. There are beautiful old houses and buildings, cafés, quirky shops selling handicrafts including colourful pottery and stylish boutiques. Galata Tower is the most impressive monument of the district with its 360 degree view of the city from the top.

One of the gorgeous boutiques
 with an eclectic mix
 of inexpensive jewellery and discounted
designer clothes. 

Galata Tower

Amazing 360 views from the top of Galata Tower

                              
From Galata we made our way to Tünel Square and then continued along the İstiklâl Caddesi (Independence Avenue) which is pedestrianised (apart from the trams!)and has 2.5 kilometres of shops, cafés, pâtisseries, restaurants, bars and clubs, as well as bookshops, theatres, cinemas and art galleries.