A Bite To Eat is a new feature on CO+K where we'll be showcasing our favourite cafes, restaurants and bars. They'll be telling us all about their place and sharing some delicious recipes for you to try at home. So if you know a great little cafe to craft in, a restaurant serving amazing vegan for or a hip bar with great cocktails in your town, let us know!
We head to Edinburgh, Scotland to meet the girls behind the adorable cafe Lovecrumbs and try a slice of their delicious carrot, cardamon and orange cake.
How did Lovecrumbs get started?
We have been friends for years and years and thought it might be nice to open a shop together, so we did! Rachel is a baker extraordinaire and Hollie loves making coffee and playing shop so after 6 months of selling cakes wholesale to other cafes in Edinburgh we opened our own cake shop in May 2012.
Where are you located?
Our shop is in West Port, near the art college and next door to Herman Brown, the best vintage clothes shop in Edinburgh.
What are your specialities?
Cake-wise, we’re known for our flavour combinations. We like to keep things simple and do them really well so use interesting, seasonal ingredients to make them really special. Our brownies and peanut butter chocolate tarts also have a lot of fans. Drinks-wise, we have our own bespoke hot chocolates from Coco, a beautiful selection of teas from Anteaques (which we serve in our own very particular way) and speciality coffee, including single origin beans, from Artisan Roast.
What's your personal favourite thing on the menu?
Shop favourites are pumpkin bundt with peanut butter cream cheese, cheese scones with butter & marmite, caramel brownies, orange, chilli & clove hot chocolate and bowls (our shop version of a macchiato).
What's on the stereo?
We have a very varied taste in music so it depends who is working in the shop. We like a bit of northern soul, disco, classic rock, the Cruel Intentions soundtrack, 80s, 90s, sad songs and anything with an inspirational key change
Where else should we visit in your area?
Timberyard is round the corner, a most beautiful restaurant run by lovely people serving some of the best food in Edinburgh. We spend most of our money on their cocktails. Herman Brown is also a must and there are some really good second hand book shops in the area.
Do you host any special events?
We are having some festive floral classes with the amazing Pyrus ladies, people will be making wreaths and swags in the shop whilst we feed them mince pies. We’re hoping to do more things like this in the new year.