When you really want to eat healthily, but you love ice cream too much. But you love waffles too much. But you love Nutella too much. It’s a challenge to say no to all the yummy possibilities out there that are high in calories and sugar because I know I shouldn’t treat myself every single day. It’s probably because sugar and other junk foods, due to their powerful effect on the reward centers of the brain, function similarly to drugs of abuse like cocaine and nicotine. The exact same brain centers are at play. How crazy is that!?
It’s important to think about what you eat, but there’s also a balance to strike. I will never be that person who won’t enjoy a good treat, but I’m slowly becoming that person who sees it for what it is: a treat. After a good week of eating, my oh my, what a delicious weekend treat indeed. While we’ve been in London, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed brunch on the weekends and dessert after dinner, and I’ve got a few recommendations to share! Here’s what’s been treating me well (hehe) so far:
Lantana Cafe
Fried French Toast – Imagine a piece of fresh toast. Now imagine that toast is fried with cinnamon and a bit of paradise, covered in fresh whipped cream and blueberries, and topped with perfect maple syrup. Not only that, but there’s a side of bacon with it for you meat lovers. This was the most delicious French toast I’ve ever had, and that is coming from someone who can eat French toast for all three meals. Every dang day.
Granger & Co
Ricotta Stuffed Pancakes with Banana – Most of the time, I cannot finish a short stack of pancakes. It might be because back in Texas, each pancake was the size of a car tire. Pancakes are usually so heavy and floury and make you end up feeling uncomfortably stuffed. These hotcakes are light, airy, fluffy, delicious cakes of heaven!!! Seriously I cannot tell you how much you need to try these. If you can’t get yourself to a Granger & Co, this is the best recipe I’ve found so far for making these babies.
Gelato Mio
I can’t list one flavor of gelato here because I’ve been there too often, and I can’t be impartial to my gelato babes. Hubby’s favorites are all the chocolate-infused flavors, so you can never go wrong with chocolate! They are so generous with their portions and never fail to make sure you’re happy with your dessert. Also, gelato is pretty healthy, right? (The correct answer is yes.)
Dishoom
Bombay Colada – The classic pineapple and vanilla concoction with a Bombay twist: a little coriander, chai syrup, and lime juice. And rum. Besides pairing well with Indian food, every sip of this drink brings something different to the top of your taste buds. I’m on the track that if you’re going to have a delicious meal, you might as well get a delicious drink! You won’t regret it.
Mango Lassi & Rose Lassi – Another time we went to Dishoom, it was a particularly hot day here in London. We make lassis at home often to cool off, but frankly we just wanted to treat ourselves after a long day of exploring and sweating. These were sweet, tart, cool, and again, perfect with Indian food. If you want something more cooling than a colada, this is the way to go!
Dark Sugars Chocolate
Chocolate. There is nothing better in this world. The only way to experience chocolate is to head into a chocolate shoppe on the corner of a busy street, with jazz pouring out the windows along with the sweet aroma of cocoa. It’s tempting, and it always wins. There’s vegan chocolate, real chocolate (hehe), dark chocolate, fruity chocolate, crunchy chocolate, gluten-free chocolate, metallic chocolate, and more! The best part is that you can grab a cup of espresso at the front to keep your palette from drowning in chocolate. My friend and I went here and filled our bags with chocolate. It was the best. We were kids in a refined candy store, and oh wow, did that sugar rush last all day.
What are some of your favorite sweet places to treat yourself to in London? Please do share!
