My favourite sort of Saturday morning...Crepes and tea

I've wanted to write about Aubrey's for so long now, but I was lacking good photos, I would not be able to do the incredible crepes at Aubrey's justice without photographic evidence so it has taken me a while 

Last weekend I arranged with a good friend, C, to have a breakfast date (this subsequently ended up being a shopping trip and afternoon coffee but we weren't to know!). Not knowing whether we wanted savoury or sweet, formal dining or a cafe esq morning we agreed to go for a crepe at a place we've both visited before .

Aubrey's Traditional Creperie is a small quaint little cafe, up a small arcade opposite Las Iguanas on Long Row. I wouldn't have found this place had I not been told about it four years ago when someone took the time to give me detailed instructions on how to find it! The scavanger hunt I think adds to the joy when you find the wooden table and chairs with gorgeous tartan blankets draped over outside the window.

Aubrey's provides gluten free and dairy free crepes, this is one of the major factors that brings me back again and again. You honestly cannot tell there's a gluten free option, my friends often have a bite of mine (usually because I make great decisions!) and they say there's barely any difference in the taste or texture of the crepe. 

Available is a vast choice of savoury galettes and sweet crepes, I try to limit the number of times I visit and this often means that every time I go they've got a new addition to the menu. This being said the lovely lady behind the counter did recognise me and remember my gluten free order this time so maybe my budget related plan hasn't been so successful. 

I had flaked almonds with vanilla ice cream, poached pears and chocolate sauce (£4.95) It was TERRIFIC, I find it's always quite a big portion but given that Aubrey's doesn't open until 10am it's usually just right and I definitely wouldn't have it any other way. C had caramelised apples, creme fraiche, cinnamon and honey which looked fabulous. We also shared a pot of tea, loose leaf english breakfast of course. 

The lovely thing about Aubrey's is you can just sit and chat with no pressure to leave, they're incredibly welcoming, table service and fantastic food. 

I have to mention the savoury galettes, we didn't indulge this time but I can say they're absolutely marvellous. This time they're all gluten free as they use a different sort of batter and have many vegetarian options. 

The only negative I can possibly find is that having sat there for an hour/an hour and a half you do have a lingering smell of oil on your clothes and in your hair. This is obviously unavoidable as it's such a small little cafe with limited ventilation, I've seen it mentioned on tripadvisor and friends have commented but for me, it's worth smelling a little bit like a frying pan for the joy that is a trip to Aubreys!

Definitely a must try! 

The Coffee House, but for Tea!

I'd heard great things about 'The Coffee House' it had remained off my radar as it's so sneakily hidden!

'It's on the same alley as Cucamaras' I had been told, this was not helpful as I think the only time i've visited Cucamaras I was decidedly worse for wear. 

We found the little alley after being accosted by a scary looking pitbull terrier and subsequently apologised to by a lovely but very pierced and tatooed gent! It felt like being in the lanes in Brighton, or the backstreets of Brussels, a far cry from Nottingham's usual roads and side streets. 

The place looked as cute as the pictures on it's website, with blackboards outside I knew this was somewhere I was going to like. 

We sat down, with only 3 tables downstairs there was a whimsical little sign saying we might have to make new friends as our table seated 4 (annoyed I didn't take a little photo!)

We were served quickly by a very friendly man. He offered only two types of normal cake and two types of gluten free but these both sounded like excellent choices. I wondered whether this was because it was a Thursday and they were running out, all the more reason to return I say!

I had a fabulous gluten free chocolate cake. I know I always like my cake, but this was exceptional! It had little chocolate chips in and I definitely could barely tell it was gluten free

P had a caramel cake which she said was delicious, and it sure was a generous serving too. 

We shared a pot of tea, just english breakfast. The tea selection was vast and all was loose leaf. So many different types of coffees from all around the world as well. It was a shame not to be able to try them all! Maybe next time

Definitely give this one a try, just be warned it's very cosy and hopefully is quite busy on the weekend. It deserves to be. 

Toastily Confused

So Han and I took a trip to Toast, just up the road at Canning Circus. Following the disappointment of the management change at Smythson's we were looking for a new hangout

I had been told that Toast was one of a kind, that you wen't in, there were loaves upon loaves of different breads, different condiments and your very own toaster to operate. 

Whilst extremely quaint and very much 'up our street', there didn't appear to be any of these exciting novelties. The toasters were on some tables but sadly not ours, and there didn't seem to be any DIY bread that day.

I'm not sure whether we just picked a bad day or maybe they've stopped serving in this way. Many friends have been and have LOVED the quirky nature of toasting your own bread! (it's the little things) 

This all being said our food was delicious, there's a fabulous selection of independent, gourmet drinks on offer alongside a huge number of sandwich options. There were tons of little cakes on the counter and a friendly face serving. 

Han and I sat down with A cloudy lemonade and a sparkling strawberry and rhubarb and gossiped the world away. 

I was chuffed to have a gluten free sandwich on what was incredibly nice bread, I ordered 'Pastrami, Mozarella and rocket' whilst Hannah had a ciabatta with smoked salmon and cream cheese. We thoroughly enjoyed our sandwiches, felt it was lacking a bit on the garnish. We missed the Smythson's cheeky couple of crisps and a side salad. But overall were extremely happy with our choices. 

I couldn't resist a pudding, Hannah indulged in a vanilla latte whilst I went for the famous 'Almondie' a gluten free almond biscuit shaped like a croissant. It was great!

We'll definitely visit Toast again, if not just to see if this DIY toast phenomenon exists. 

A lovely place to spend a morning though! 

Pepper Rocks, half price cock(tail)s!

I'm extremely partial to a Margarita, nothing beats making your own,

But my absolute favourite spot for a Marg' in Nottingham is Pepper Rocks. 

Friends of mine had been going for a few years by the time I finally managed to fit in a visit. It's in a sneaky little place so had someone not told me about it, I'm sure I'd still be a Pepper Rocks virgin. 

From 7-10 they do 'House Cocktails' for £3.50 which has to be one of the cheapest deals in Lace Market.

During the day Pepper Rocks is a creperie, given my love for Aubrey's i'm sure this would be a fantastic spot for a bite to eat

Gorgeous chandeliers climb the walls of this little Lace Market building.

There's a fantastically relaxed atmosphere with luxurious red leather sofas, mix matched chairs and cheeky bar stools dotted around the cosy interior. 

I can thoroughly recommend the Margarita, my girlies speak highly of the French Martini and the Amaretto Sour. Pepper Rocks is definitely worth a visit, whether it be for a drink before going for dinner or a whole evening... we definitely got our 'sofa's worth' last night. 

Find your way to American Apparel and take a little walk/tumble down the hill to what looks like a warehouse

You'll find it nestled in on the left

Have a great cocktail!

Bucket List...

In our fourth year as residents of Nottingham we've compiled quite a list of our favourite haunts. Alongside this list exists the great foodie 'bucket list' of places we'd love to/ need to go!

Our top 10 Cafe's (work in progress)

(Must add favourite cocktail hangouts!)

• Smythson's Deli Smythson's has since closed and been opened under new management. I have visited and been pretty disappointed with the quality of the food offered there. It's so disappointing that we've lost Jane and Janet. 
• Thea Caffea
• White Rabbit Teahouse 
• Aubrey's Traditional Creperie
• Delilah Fine Foods
• The Coffee House
• Toast

The Bucket List!

• World Service Restaurant Nottingham
• French Living 
• The Wollaton Pub and Kitchen
• La Rock (Sandiacre)
• Harts Nottingham, The Park
• Restaurant Sat Bains
• Iberico World Tapas
• Homemade
• Tarn Thai
• Petit Paris 
• Bistrot Pierre
• Warsaw Diner
• Toast
• Le Mistral
• Fothergill's 
• 4550 Miles from Delhi
• Walk Into Yesterday
• Mr Man's Restaurant
• The Larder on Goosegate
• The Hand and Hart
• Atlas Deli
• Bar de Nada
• Cafe Roya 
• Yamas 
• Kayal
• Habesha
• Lee Rosy's Tea
• Sinatras

It just wouldn't be fair not to mention....

Since it's opening in October 2011, my friends and I have been regular customers of Smythson's Deli, having visited on one of the very first days and had what we both described as the 'best hot chocolate ever' we never questioned where to go for a catch up and a cup of coffee. Gradually introducing all of our friends, it has now become a staple in many of our diets. 

So many 'after the last exam' lunches here

So many breaks from the library

Hangover breakfasts 

'Parents visiting' slices of cake. And even just for a quick chat with Jane or Janet

I was lucky enough to spend my 21st Birthday with some of my favourite people, in our favourite Cafe!

With prosecco flowing we were treated to all our favourites with the cafe all to ourselves

Even if there was a little bit too much!

I'm not sure what we'd all do without Smythson's in our lives, It is an absolutely lovely place to be, a fantastic atmosphere, the owners, Jane and Janet, so welcoming, and food which never disappoints (they even do Gluten free bread! and tasty it is too!)

Gluten free afternoon tea! Can this be?

Having grown up in a town/county where despite everyone being relatively 'faddy' the move towards 'gluten free' options hasn't really taken off

I have struggled at home to find a place to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with friends, my Mum bringing me up to appreciate a good scone! In Nottingham, however, I have been overwhelmed with my options for tea with friends and have only ever been pleasantly surprised!

Thea Caffea, is a top favourite of mine, they do a complete gluten free afternoon tea, they never seem to be at all 'put out' are extremely accomodating and the food is absolutely delicious. Whilst the gluten free bread isn't a patch on the home made bread at 'The Larder' the scones more than make up for this in their light fluffy nature. 

Flowering jasmine tea - such an exciting moment!

Separate gluten free stand with a gorgeous cherry scone

The cakes are also, like the Larder, extremely delicious and it feels nice to have a meal albeit a feast, where you don't feel like the odd one out. Obviously the feast wasn't complete without a cheeky glass of Prosecco

I think all of us had a delicious meal and would highly recommend Thea Caffea to anyone looking for a nice cafe with good service, beautiful crockery and delicious food.