"The Definition of Insanity is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results" - Albert Einstein

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Decadence and Cloud Types

It was a bright morning here in Mcmillan Student Village. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the clouds are type Stratus, there isn't a single Italian in my courtyard, and last night I got 4 new Silly Bandz from my friend Liz.

Clockwise from top left: Here we see the Yellow Glow in the Dark Hogwarts Express, an Orange Flying Ford Anglia, A Blue Rose, and a Pink Professor Lupin.

I wear them proudly.

This week is Decadent week at the Royal Naval College so obviously, Alison chose this week to start her cupcake tour of London. This is an ongoing project, to sample the 7 best cupcakeries in London before we leave. This is mainly Alison's thing, but she has kindly consented that it is ok if I come along, provided I obey all the rules as soon as she tells me them and I'll be allowed to consume cupcakes. This works for me.

Yesterday:
Stop # 1: Buttercup Cake Shop in South Kensington. Off of St Albans Grove

Two things worth knowing about this cake shop. 1. The cupcakes we had weren't very moist. 2. There are two different types of Red Velvet cupcake in the shop, but neither of them used Cream Cheese Frosting. I found this to be appalling and a little bit offensive.
That being said, the cupcakes were still good, but definitely overpriced for what they were. I rate Two and Half stars out of Four

I am quite happy to be partaking in this cupcake.

Bryan is also clearly thrilled.

Today:
Stop #2: Bea's at Bloomsbury

This was our Afternoon Tea Selection, complete with four different cupcakes (Chocolate Pralines, Chocolate Raspberry, Bailey's and Red Velvet), scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam, passion fruit marshmallows, raspberry meringues, blondies, walnut brownies, and a pot of tea (I had Earl Grey). It looked like this three-tiered masterpiece.

Here, Alison and I are clearly trying not to look too excited about this decadent array of sweets. Clearly we aren't that good of actors.

Here is Bryan with our AMAZING Professor and Program Director Peter who came to tea with us. I'm not gonna lie, I was kinda more excited to hang out with Peter than I was for the tea. He rules so much. And I was so honored to have an actual Afternoon Tea with a true Englishman.

Here's my assessment of the meal:

The cupcakes were the best part of the meal. Easily the best cupcakes I've had thus far, especially the Red Velvet cupcakes, which DID had Cream Cheese frosting. The scones were pretty good as well, although they got overshadowed by the cupcakes and although it may be my own fault, they didn't pair as nicely with my tea as i would have liked. The scones were buttery and flaky on the outside, and more moist than many of the other scones I've had while I've been here.

The most interesting part of the meal were the passion fruit marshmallows, which tasted very much like what I imagine cumulus clouds taste like. The meringues were also pretty good. And the kicker of the whole meal was that Peter sat and patiently listened to Alison and I drone on and on about scones and cupcakes and finally concluded to Bryan, "Isn't it nice to have tea with experts?" I take that as the highest compliment.

Clearly we didn't enjoy those at all.

Final Assessment: Bea's at Bloomsbury gets three and a half stars out of four. I recommend the afternoon tea, but no matter what you do, make sure you get yourself some cupcakes.

Also, it should be noted that while we were sitting there, they played Iron & Wine Our "Endless Numbered Days" album, which is 1. one of my favorite albums ever, and 2. the album cover on the shirt Bryan had on today. So that was awesome. Bonus Points.

In case you are wondering, I have been doing other things other than eating cupcakes. But you'll read about them tomorrow probably because cupcakes deserve their own post.

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