This is why I love Twitter. Earlier this month I asked a simple question:
And within a matter of minutes I was bombarded with responses -- all of them hugely helpful.
Here's a summary of what I was told:
@princess_knicks maison bertaux in soho is wonderful! http://www.maisonbertaux.com
@rachelala Maison Blanc (as in Raymond) nx to Richmond station, also Patisserie Valerie has several branches in C. London #foodie
@AboutLondon Chelsea Teapot on King's Road is lovely tea/cake shop. Has gluten-free options too.
@ManifestoBooks Patisserie Valerie - various locations I believe #cakesinlondon
@wkendLondon hummingbird bakery at South Kensington, fantastic cup cakes!
@beezan Is Valery's stll on Old Compton Street?
@jabtx1 haven't tried it, but hear Lanka Cake Shop in Primrose Hill is good.
@ZoeVH fleet river cafe nr holborn tube is just wonderful
@painting Chelsea Teapot on King's Road's gluten-free options > Delicious!! Don't eat breakfast or lunch beforehand!
@paperbk_reader Primrose Bakery (Covent Garden), Lola's Cupcakes, Hummingbird Bakery & Bea's, of course. Patisserie Valerie too.
@zengarden17 Del Aziz in Bermondsey Square (SE1) has lovely European style cakes & pastries. As lovely to look at as they are to eat.
@beezan If you want to travel out to Beckenham there is the SpongeKitchen - has lovely yum-yummy stuff to offer ...
@chasingbawa There's Princi and The Hummingbird Bakery on Wardour St. Also Paul on Old Compton St.
For the record, I went to The Chelsea Teapot with a friend last Sunday and it was awesome.
The shop was incredibly cute, with pastel coloured walls adorned with pretty frames and patterned plates, a bit like sitting in someone's country kitchen. All our food was served on old-fashioned China, including floral cups and a beautiful floral teapot, and the service was helpful and courteous.
But the food was what we went for -- and we weren't disappointed. I had the most amazing grilled chicken salad, followed by a ginormous slice of carrot cake which was unusually light and lemony.
My friend had a massive chunk of ultra-rich chocolate cake, with cream cheese frosting, which was still warm from the oven.
The chocolate cake was so good we bought extra slices to take home!
