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Where to eat: Cupcakes in Kensington
By Victoria Stewart, Evening Standard 01.10.09
The Cupcake Company
132 Kensington Church Street, W8 (020 7985 0088, www.thecupcakeccompany.co.uk)
Megan is the woman behind Kensington's latest addition to the cupcake scene, having just opened her shop last week after her home-baking business became too busy to handle. Many of the recipes are American but the best flavours to go for are chocolate as she uses only Valrhona cocoa. The orange and almond wheat-free cupcake is also delicious. From £2 each.
The Hummingbird Bakery
47 Old Brompton Road, SW7 (020 7584 0055, www.hummingbirdbakery.com)
Over from America and now in South Kensington and Portobello, the Hummingbird bakers still hold the cupcake crown. Theirs, from £1.55, are never overloaded with buttercream icing, the flavours are inventive but subtle — the red velvet is second to none — and the silver sprinkles and sugar stars add a home-made touch.
Betty Blythe
73 Blythe Road, Brook Green, W14 (020 7602 1177, www.bettyblythe.co.uk)
Actually a “fine food pantry”, 1950s-style Betty Blythe tea room is tucked away in a shopping street between Kensington Olympia and Hammersmith. Tea is drunk in vintage teacups and the cupcakes themselves — choose from lemon drizzle and oreo cookie at £2.20 — are suitably spongy and moreish. Children's birthday cupcake towers are also available.
Buttercup
16 St Albans Grove, W8 (020 7937 1473, www.buttercupcakeshop.co.uk)
Tucked away in a little corner near Kensington High Street is a tiny speciality cupcake shop, where you're greeted with rows upon rows of neatly organised cupcakes (pictured) with flavours from the limited edition “Elvis Presley” banana”, a delicious mocha and a less indulgent carrot, £2.50, which can all be delivered around London.
Cupcake Emporium
27 Craven Terrace, W2 (020 7402 8673, www.cupcakeemporium.co.uk)
Exhausted shoppers can pop into this cupcake refuge in Bayswater. The waitresses wear 1950s dresses, all their goodies are made using natural ingredients and measure only 130 calories each despite their enormous size. Gluten-free options are also on sale from £2.25 each.
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