Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Project Canelé

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Yes, only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): Canelé
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: The canelé’s crust tasted burnt, and the chouquette was dry rather than fluffy

    Baked good(s) savoured

    • £3.25 Canelé: Caramelised crust, soft custardy interior. Flavoured with vanilla and hint of rum.
    • £3.95 Chouquette (x5): Five pieces of light choux pastry bites topped with crunchy pearl sugar

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern trattoria with terracotta exterior
    • Service: Charming and attentive, knows their stuff
    • Other thoughts: Their set menu changes every month, and is available 12-2pm every Wed to Sat.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Set lunch £18/£22/£26

    • Antipasti: Gamboncello di Maiale e Mele: Ham Hock Salad, Compressed Apples, Mustard Dressing
    • Antipasti: Zuppa di Ceci: Chickpea Soup, Cavolo Nero, Garlic and Herb Crostini
    • Main: Spaghetti alla Carbonara: Guanciale, Pecorino, Egg Yolks
    • Dolce: Torta Del Giorno
    • Dolce: Gelato Pistachio

    Others

    • Focaccia, Trapanese Pesto

    Price

    • Final bill: £30 per pax including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Captain’s Darling

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Sirloin roast beef
    • Decor: Dark modern gastropub
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Perfectly cooked sirloin roast beef with a hint of smokiness

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Haggis croquettes, smoked Dunlop cheese, pickle, brown sauce
    • Sunday roast: Dry aged sirloin roast beef served with roasted carrots, broccoli, beef-fat roasted potatoes (oil-roasted with hispi steak), Yorkshire puddings & gravy

    Price

    • Final bill: £36 excluding service charge

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Six by Nico, Hanover Street

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Dark and grand
    • Service: Friendly and accommodating but slow. We didn’t expect lunch to take 3 hours on a Monday afternoon!
    • Other thoughts: Interesting concept; well made dishes using everyday ingredients.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Six course tasting menu £45

    Theme: SPACE

    • Amuse bouche: Cucumber and basil sphere
    • Zero Gravity Oyster: Smoked Salmon, Granny Smith Apple, Kohlrabi, Oyster Emulsion
    • Last Harvest: Clay Baked Potato, 63°C Egg, Roast Chicken Crumb, Cacio e Pepe Espuma
    • Biopack 3-06: Smoked Ham Hough & Chicken Terrine – 12 x Garnishes
    • Black Hole (came with noise cancelling headphones and an eye mask): Fregola Sarda, Cuttlefish, Burnt Lemon, Bisque, Pork Fat Crumb
    • Solar Flare: Flat Iron, Ox Parcel, Saffron & Orange, Black Garlic, Squash
    • Goodbye Earth: Baked Vanilla Custard – Orange Marmalade – Grand Marnier

    Drink(s) sipped

    Wine pairing £30

    • Violino Spumante, Cabert (Friuli, Italy)
    • Murets de Mez, Les Marmandais! (South-West, France)
    • Saxa Passerina, L’Avventura (Lazio, Italy)
    • Aglianico VDT 2024 – HelioLatry (Lazio, Italy)
    • Grains de Plasisir, Les Marmandais (South-West, France)

    Price

    • Final bill: £137 for 2 tasting menus, 1 wine pairing, service charge and charity donation

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Maki & Ramen, 1 Leith Street (St James Quarter shopping centre)

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Steak Tataki Ramen
    • Decor: Modern Japanese
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: There’s another brunch located just 2 minutes walk away on 37 Leith Street. This branch opens earlier at 11am (vs 12pm).

    Dish(es) savoured

    • SEAFOOD HELL: Our signature hell broth topped with grilled salmon, prawns and squid!
    • STEAK TATAKI: Creamy, hearty curry based broth paired with tataki steak – cooked rare. Topped with a marinated half ramen egg.

    Price

    • Final bill: £37 for 2 pax (1 ramen each only) including 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Bread Meats Bread, North Bridge

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): We preferred their BMB Brunch Burger, although the Wolf Burger is their signature dish. It had a better overall texture and crunch.
    • Decor: Rustic, industrial burger joint
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Good burgers, but they would be much more satisfying with a thicker, less spread-out patty.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Lunch Menu – A burger or a sandwich with small chips and a soft drink £13.95

    • BMB BRUNCH BURGER: Smashed ultra-thin 4oz dry-aged beef burger, American cheese, fried egg, hash brown & gochujang mayo
    • WOLF BURGER (+£2.00): Smashed ultra-thin 4oz dry-aged beef burger topped with American cheese, crispy bacon rashers and loaded with pulled pork in smoky BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions & gochujang mayo

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Tea
    • Latte

    Price

    • Final bill: £33 for 2 pax including 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Lamien, Madrid

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern minimalist
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Michelin Guide, but extremely disappointing.

    Dish(es) savoured

    New Year’s Eve Menu 2025 €60

    • Crisp romaine lettuce drizzled with a delicate sesame dressing
    • Oriental vegetable melange paired with a velvety sweet pea puree
    • Japanese scallop nestled in a rich pumpkin cream topped with guanciale
    • Xiao long bao with broth and Iberian pork in squid ink sauce
    • Wild mushrooms served with a luscious nasturtium infused mushroom cream
    • Garlic seared beef bites, perfectly complemented by a bold black pepper sauce
    • Mango cheesecake mochi – A refreshing sweet finale

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern trattoria with terracotta exterior
    • Service: Charming and attentive, knows their stuff
    • Other thoughts: Great meal with fresh ingredients, but the Sedanini Alla Norma was too thin on the aubergines (ratio of 5:95). All cheeses are unpasteurised. Good non-alcoholic negroni.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Primi: Sedanini Alla Norma – Violetta Aubergine, Tomato, Salted Ricotta
    • Primi: Tagliatelle Salsiccia: White Ragu with Sausage & Saffron
    • Contorni: Insalata di Pomodori – Salad of Mixed Heritage Tomato, Pickled Red Onion, Basil

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Red: Etna Rosso
    • Mocktail: ‘Senza’ Negroni: non alcoholic gin, martini 0, Amaro Lucano Non Alcoholic

    Price

    • Final bill: £84 for 2 pax including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Under The Table

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Mixed Berry Eton Mess
    • Decor: Modern bistro
    • Service: On repeat; we seemed to be assigned 2 waiters
    • Other thoughts: Seasonal menu. Unbalanced flavour profile for both starters; needed more melon for one, and the cold smoked salmon was a bit tasteless.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Prix fixe lunch – 3 course £24

    • Starter: Cold Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraiche, Shallots, Capers, Toast
    • Starter: Prosciutto, Melon, Raspberry & Hazelnut Vinaigrette
    • Main: Toulouse Sausage, White Bean & Smoked Pancetta Cassoulet
    • Dessert: Mixed Berry Eton Mess
    • Chocolate Mousse, Honeycomb, Sea Salt

    Price

    • Final bill: £24 per pax w/o service charge

    Date

    • August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • The Pantry

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Simple, modern cafe
    • Service: Rushed
    • Other thoughts: Skimpy on the avo. Good but overpriced.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • SUNSHINE ON STOCKBRIDGE: Roasted sweet potato, smoked paprika tomato, grilled courgette, smashed avocado, sriracha, free range poached eggs + halloumi

    Price

    • Final bill: £20 for one main only, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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