& Clarke's

Ok, let’s do it. I’m planting the flag and putting &Clarke's on the map (and yes I’m well aware of the fact it’s been around since 1988). To all cake and bake lovers out there, a visit here is essential before any conclusions can be drawn with reference to the outlet for the best breads, cakes, cookies, etc in the capital.

&Clarke's shares the impressive double fronted premises with Sally Clarke’s eponymous restaurant. I’ve yet to dine at the latter as I’ve been somewhat put off by the stuffiness portrayed by its more mature patrons who frequent there. Give me a couple more years then I’ll be grey enough to join them, or perhaps not; I don’t do ties!

&Clarke's started out as a provision shop selling artisanal breads and upmarket groceries to the well-heeled folks of this part of London. Over the years it has expanded its activities to wholesale to include supplying breads to Harrods Food Hall and La Fromagerie; as well as baked goodies to a whole host of wonderful coffee temples like Monmouth, Taylor Street, Wild & Wood and The Espresso Room. From here &Clarke's enviable reputation as a nonsuch baker was thus set in concrete.

Upon entering the shop, you’re assured an ethos of quality. The sight and smells of fresh bread and baked goods plus a hint of the odd goat’s cheese are enough to ensure that you’re not leaving this place without spending a few quid. In addition, countless bottles of wine, home-baked biscuits, oils, preserves, chutneys and many more posh edibles are displayed to their full potential to entice the unsuspecting. The shop is done up to retain a certain Ye Olde Shoppe character with an insurance of a cosy English Tea Room on tow.

As a reminder the seating space at the back is small, I reckon eight at max. Not only is afternoon tea served in the shop, light lunches (appealing no less to the likes of Miss Jean Brodies or yummy mummies) also appear on the menu.

I’ve been here a few times now and have always looked forward to going back again. The following pics are as delicious as they look. Lady Gray asked me recently if I actually ate all the stuff that are shown on this blog, like three slices of cakes in one go; yes of course I do, all of it, as it’s rare for me leave stuff on the plate uneaten. Oink.

I was wondering if this was the best Chicken Pie I’ve had. Served at room temperature it was astounding, imagine what it would be like straight from the oven, I shudder even to think about it.

Custard tart of some sort, possibly a twist on the Maid of Honour. Immensely buttery and rich. Perfect with Darjeeling tea.

Chocolate Cake 1- light and to damn easy to glut, another slice please!

Savoury Cheese and Bacon Slice. I think I suffer from internalised quichephobia, despite my disliking for this cold dish I find myself eating it whenever I see one. It was rather good actually, the highly visual pieces of bacon helped.

Sausage Roll

Half the size and half the price of the now fabled one from The Ginger Pig. This is just as good and besides you always know when the pastry itself is perfect when half of it ends up all over your clothes.

Rocky Road evilness. If you put me in a room full of marshmallows and chocolates, I shall fall from even greater grace than where I’m currently at. Shameless is my middle name.

Chocolate Cake 2- Denser and richer than the first one. It was so rich that it drooped (which precisely applies to my own posture as well).

Lemon and Almond slice. One of my favourites and it’s a perfect treat with strong black coffee like Monmouth (which &Clarke's both serve and sell the beans).

Chicken Pie- same as above but more domed shaped. I’m lost for words…oh yes it’s the best cluck pie I’ve had. Confirmation imparted.

Damson Cheesecake and Carrot Cake
The latter was possibly the only disappointment, not moist enough and the frosting, although very good, too little was applied. The cheesecake was tremendous enough to warrant an unabashed trio of indecent but suggestive pics.

teasing

niminy-piminy

luscious

I lost nearly a stone two months ago, but now it looks like a gain of a stone and more is inevitable. &Clarke's cannot be anything else but excellent. Go, it’s on the map now.

122 & 124 Kensington Church Street
London W8 4BH

www.sallyclarke.com