The London Edit!

Located in the heart of Central London's Leceister Square, the Haagen-Dazs Cafe (also known coloquially as the Haagen-Dazs Restaurant and the Haagen-Dazs shop) is definitely the best place to be when you're feeling the blues or are in need of some serious treating to those sweet taste buds!

The actual cafe is of contemporary style with lovely seating areas, reminding me of a luxury American diner, but more spacious. The best aspect about eating here- except the desserts- is the friendliness of the staff; as soon as you step foot into the restaurant, you're welcomed with enthusiasm and when seated, you're offered a small complimentary sample of their latest ice-cream flavour by your waiter/waitress, who personally introduces themselves to you.

Then you're given the menu, and it's not just any menu- it's in the form of an actual hardback book with so many desserts and combinations to choose them! With a huge variety of desserts served, from Chocolate Belgian Waffles, Crepes, Melt-in-the-middle pudding, all served with ice-cream and sometimes fruit- you're certainly spoilt for choice.

Prices seem very expensive at first glance of the menu but it will definitely seem slightly more reasonable when you see that the dessert delivered to you is so immaculately presented (just like on the menu!) and you tuck in to deliciousness! The 'Haagen-Dazs' chocolate piece is a brilliant finishing touch, which is offered on most desserts! A very sweet getaway if you ask me! I wouldn't advice this place for an inexpensive dessert. Cheerful yes, cheap- not so much.

I recommend you also purchase a drink (they do quite a few cocktails) along with your dessert because you will be thirsty after eating the dessert, but if you don't want to spend any money they offer tap water too.

The Haagen-Dazs Cafe/Restaurant is the perfect place to go if you crave sweetness or just want to go somewhere with your family or friends for drinks, dessert and a laugh! What I've done in the past, is eat dinner somewhere around Leicester Square, skip dessert at the place where I'm eating and make a quick getaway to Haagen-Dazs just for dessert!

Service: ★★★★★

Cost: ★★★

Quality and presentation of food: ★★★★★

Address:

14 Leicester Square

London

Greater London

WC2H 7NG

Nearest Tube stations: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus.

31/07/2012

Creams Cafe in Kingston is one of the most popular social hubs in Kingston. I know so many students who go to Kingston University and Roehampton University who pay a visit all the time. It's a great place for a quick milkshake, or for dessert. 

Despite the name being 'Creams Cafe', the atmosphere of the place has more of an American diner feel to it, and feels almost like a day bar/club as it's quite dark inside with sofa booths, with loud music blaring in the background. 

As soon as you step into Creams, you'll be directed to your table, which will be numbered. You have to go up to the tills to order your food so you'll need to quote your table number at the till, and then pay. 

The food offered is sweet rather than savoury. The variety of waffles and pancakes/crepes offered is unbelievable! You can choose any toppings, from exotic fruits to mouthwatering chocolates and sweets. And the milkshakes are beyond delicious- they can whip you up any flavoured shake in no time. Smoothies are also available. 

Here is a photo of the Strawberry and Chocolate Giant Waffle I had (I couldn't finish it all, but the staff were more than happy to offer me a small box to take the rest home with me): 

If you're not a waffle/pancake kinda person, you can indulge in a slice of cake. Creams offer lots of different cakes such as Black Forest Gateau, Lemon Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, and Chocolate Fudge Cake. 

Last week, I visited M&Ms World in Leicester Square. I've been seeing photos of this place all over Instagram and Twitter so I had to go and check it out myself! Most people make the mistake in thinking that M&M World is a place where you'll have enough things to do to spend the whole day there. This isn't really the case as M&M World is an attraction whilst your in and around Central London and wish to pop in for a bit. 

M&M World is essentially a place where you can purchase merchandise endorsed by M&Ms. For example, T-shirts, mugs, lunch packs, toys, sweets, stationary, and even candy dispensers. However, it is also a great place for photo opportunities. M&M World features a life-size London red bus that makes really cool memories if you take a photo of yourself next to it, or even on it. 

Also, you can view M&M art masterpieces such as a huge canvas of a colourful flag being made entirely out of real pieces of M&Ms! While I was there, no one could resist not taking a photo in front of it. There are also portraits of M&M royalty, which most kids would find fascinating.  

If you're a lover of American food, be sure to pay a visit to Tinsel Town! With a trendy American diner atmosphere, you'll feel as if you're actually having lunch in America. What I love about Tinsel Town is the celebrity them they adopt; the restaurant walls are covered with canvas photos of the famous faces of Hollywood (and Bollywood!), and even television screens playing the latest pop songs. 

I went to Tinsel Town with some friends last week. We ordered milkshakes (I ordered an Oreo Milkshake and my friends ordered Ferrero Rocher and Peanut Butter milkshakes!), burgers and sides to share. Prior to this visit, I tried the Cheese Fries from Tinsel Town but I really didn't like them as the cheese was dry rather than paste-like and so the fries just stuck to each other. Obviously I didn't get them this time round. 

This time, I got the Veggie Burger with a side order of Mash. I couldn't finish the mash as it was really filling. I don't really like orange cheese so I was a bit skeptical to try out the Garlic Bread topped with it, but it actually turned out to be delicious. The Onion Rings were a bit soggy but with the Garlic dip I ordered alongside my meal, they tasted fine. The milkshakes are unsurprisingly amazing! I always want another one when I've finished my one. 

Tinsel Town do really good lunchtime deals where you can usually get a burger, a side, and a dip for a good price. You have to purchase a drink separately, but considering that the lunchtime deal costs an average of around £5-6, it's not that huge a problem. 

As soon as you enter the museum, you are surrounded by the most beautiful atmosphere and high glass ceiling. The museum is easy to navigate along with guidance from the help desk on the ground floor. There are many historic sections of the museum, including Ancient Egypt, Africa, Greek and Roman Sculptures, North America, Roman Britain, and Money. 

I've always loved the gift shops at the British Museum. You can buy lovely Swarovski pens, British Museum chocolates, history knowledge books, stationary, novelty items such as key rings and jewellery, British teabags, biscuits, and historic toys. 

Word of advice: try and use the toilet before you leave for the museum, or even use the toilets if you're purchasing something from one of the cafes across the road. The queue for the toilets at the British Museum is beyond ridiculous; I waited 45 minutes to use the toilet, and that was on a weekday. Maybe that's just for the female toilets, however. 

The British Museum is free for all, and is easy to access via various London tube stations, including Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road, and Holborn. 

Here is an image of the largest ever photograph of the Royal Family that exists, and is placed above the Thames near Blackfriar's Bridge.

The photo was displayed in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this year, and measures 330ft by 230ft!

Going on a Thames Cruise or river boat ride will guarantee you an amazing view of this photo!

London has Olympic Fever! Not only is everyone talking about it, but us Londoners see it everywhere! The Olympic Rings are on Tower Bridge, the River Thames, and the Olympics celebrations banners and national flags are all over Central London. Here are some images, and more are being uploaded soon!