How could I go to London and not visit the Hummingbird Bakery?

I found a quiet spot on a bench in front of a museum, people-watching as I slowly indulged in a cupcake. Midway, a middle-aged stranger took a seat beside me and we started chatting.

Don't talk to strangers, they say.
But how would you ever make friends if you don't? 

Good cupcake bakeshops are hard to come by. So while in London, I had to go see if it lives up to its name.

Their Famous Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting (right)

The verdict? Delicate crumb, moist, sweet but not overly so. These cupcakes were good.

Yes, Hummingbird Bakery, you get a spot in my imaginary dessert hall of fame.

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Hummingbird Bakery
133 Portobello Road,
London, Greater London,
England.

The night we said our goodbyes

The pasta wasn't al dente. In fact, we had to send under-cooked pasta back... twice.

But in the end, there was something rustic and authentic about the food. It almost felt like I had an Italian grandmother putting her love into those plates. I couldn't stay mad at grandma. The wild truffle risotto was delicious and the lemon curd is something I would go back for.

We left happy.

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Jamie's Italian
Covent Garden
11, Upper St Martin's,
London, England.