Crumbs to Crunch

Spring has finally sprung and there is no better way of celebrating this glorious season than gazing at sakura in Japan.  I wasn't even planning to be in Japan for the cherry blossom season. Each area has such a narrow window for sakura that it was a wonderful surprise to be in Tokyo when the blossom was at its height. I had naively imagined myself writing haikus with blossom floating around me. In reality, about a million people and I crowded into Ueno Park to witness the event of the season! Surprisingly, it didn't matter that there were hoards of tourists and locals. In a bustling megacity like Tokyo, it was practically a miracle that we all managed to find a certain amount of peace, marvelling at this natural wonder. Many of the locals were picnicking under the blossom and their spread was incredible, from mouth watering noodle dishes to yakitori. I got very jealous and so headed towards the many food stalls in the park. I bought some Okonomiyaki which are ve...

All You Read is Love is one of those rare places where you can stay for hours and never run out of things to do. This quirky café-cum-bookshop-cum-radio station in Leytonstone is the ideal place to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon or a quiet evening with friends.  The decor is rough around the edges yet teeming with interesting upcycled pieces. It feels like you're hanging out in your hipster friend's living room listening to classic tunes on vinyl or improvising on the piano. The bookshop part offers eclectic secondhand or new volumes. I was loving the Scandi Lit corner, a nod to Nordic Noir fanatics like me.  The café also did not disappoint. My friend an I polished off a simple yet delicious pecan and banana slice as well as a generous slice of coconut and nutella sponge. Strangely, what stood out for me was not the cake but the homemade hot elderflower. I had just been on a walk in Epping Forest therefore it was an ideal post-walk treat. Whilst enjoying ou...