Comfort Food
Today, my dear readers, I felt it necessary to write to you about comfort food. Outside, it's cold, it's wet, it's windy. (It's Aberdeen, I hear you say!) It was, for sure, one of 'those days.' And, as I can guarantee you've all had one of 'those days', you would fully understand that, on coming out of a two-hour seminar on the reasons for American entry in the Spanish-American War, I was on a search for cake, and would not settle until I found some. So, as my friend (who was also having one of 'those days') and I were polishing off our much sought-after cakes and tea, that we found ourselves discussing the topic of comfort food. (It was, at this point, that my friend produced the latest Sainsbury's magazine, much to my delight!)
Comfort food is quite possibly one of the nation's favourite types of food, and probably for this reason: it is entirely individualistic. It comes in whatever shape, form, taste and colour you want it to be. So naturally, it is incredibly easy to come by. With the aim of bringing us back to a state of positivity and general well-being, the times when we are in desperate need of comfort food are times when calorie-counters can take a break and diets can go out the door, window or through any other exit you find necessary. Your comfort food of choice can be specific to you for a number of reasons. Perhaps it's nostalgia: your favourite might bring back happy memories from childhood. Or perhaps it's homesickness: you're far from home and you're craving something that'll make it seem a little bit nearer. Or perhaps it's just pure convenience: after a tough day at work all you want to do it curl up with a microwave mac'n'cheese. A quick look on the internet shows that the nation is generally united in their opinions about comfort food. People turn to warm, hearty dishes such as lasagne or cottage pie. For those with a sweeter tooth, it's chocolate, ice-cream or cake. And not namby-pamby pretty cakes with cute icing. It's proper cake. The kind you can eat it with your fingers, not a cake-fork. The kind that leaves you feeling morbidly obese after eating. That's proper comfort cake.
So what's your comfort food of choice? For me, it would have to be a banana sandwich (on brown bread) or a Starbucks Caramel Machhiato. Or proper cake. Certainly the banana sandwiches hit the nostalgia mark, but Caramel Macs are incredibly comforting: they're sweet and warm. Absolute comfort.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Monday, 4 October 2010
Aberdeen's Finest...
Aberdeen's Finest - A whistle-stop tour of the coffee-house gems in the Granite City.
Today's find: Kilau Coffeehouse, Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen
Well, before I enlighten you all on my journey through Aberdeen's coffeeshops, I must apologise for the lack of contact recently. What with settling back into the busy schedule of an Honours degree (I've read enough history in the past week to last me a lifetime), a hectic social life and a sheer lack of 'coffee money', my coffee drinking has been kept to an unfortunate minimum. However, I revisited another gem in Aberdeen which I feel I should tell you all about.
Ever been to Kilau coffeehouse? Tucked away on Little Belmont Street (just off 'Big Belmont Street'), Kilau is Aberdeen's home to 'Coffee, Crepes and Contemporary Art'. Situated half-way down the street, Kilau's dark-purple double-doors will definitely be open. The concrete floored, poster-covered walls may seem a little daunting at first, but it could not be more different on the first floor. Kilau deserves three words: it's cosy, it's casual, it's creative.
Kilau is cosy. There's no doubt about that. The real wooden floor holds a perfect number of smooth wooden tables and chairs, and a handful of leather couches thrown in for good measure. Kilau is split into two levels: the first is slightly larger, the second (up a couple of wooden steps) is smaller and a bit more private. The walls are white, the leather dark brown and the floor and wood is light. It works.
Kilau is casual. What I love about this place is the variety of people who come here. There's a group of friends sitting round the table playing a game of Scrabble, a guy in the corner working on his laptop, a couple slouched on a sofa together, two friends catching up over a coffee, intellectuals having a debate over something...I could go on, but I think you've got the picture. When I was here last, the owner came over and chatted with my friend and I (they're on first-name terms) - this place is relational, it's personal, the owners know their regulars. No-one feels like an outsider, everyone is welcome.
Kilau is creative. As it says, it's home to 'Coffee, Crepes and Contemporary Art.' And it does what it says on the tin. Decorating the walls, (Kilau boasts a high ceiling) are exhibitions from a number of contemporary artists, ranging from photographs, funky pictures of animals, people and humdrum day-to-day bits and pieces, beautifully put together on some canvas. To add to it's quirk, this place even has espresso cups hanging from it's lightshades. How cool.
Kilau's range of food and drink is certainly impressive. Its renowned for it's crepes: both savoury and sweet, with a huge choice of fillings - you can even be creative and make up your own. Don't feel restricted to a crepe though, there's baguettes, salads, soups, sandwhiches.... Their coffee is great too - on Saturday, my friend and I had a 'Castrata' - two shots of espresso and latte milk on top (and finished off with a bit of latte art, obviously.) They have an extensive range of coffee syrups, and I'd definitely recommend a hot chocolate (with the works: cream, flumps, a chocolate flake, chocolate powder...it's a sweet tooth's dream.) Be adventurous, you've certainly got the choice.
And the other great thing about this place? (You mean, besides the live music nights, their extension onto Aberdeen University campus, their loyalty card AND internet connection?) Kilau is open in the evenings. In fact, well into the night. Way past my bedtime at least. For those in town, it's yours 'til 11pm. Could it get much better?
Today's find: Kilau Coffeehouse, Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen
Well, before I enlighten you all on my journey through Aberdeen's coffeeshops, I must apologise for the lack of contact recently. What with settling back into the busy schedule of an Honours degree (I've read enough history in the past week to last me a lifetime), a hectic social life and a sheer lack of 'coffee money', my coffee drinking has been kept to an unfortunate minimum. However, I revisited another gem in Aberdeen which I feel I should tell you all about.
Ever been to Kilau coffeehouse? Tucked away on Little Belmont Street (just off 'Big Belmont Street'), Kilau is Aberdeen's home to 'Coffee, Crepes and Contemporary Art'. Situated half-way down the street, Kilau's dark-purple double-doors will definitely be open. The concrete floored, poster-covered walls may seem a little daunting at first, but it could not be more different on the first floor. Kilau deserves three words: it's cosy, it's casual, it's creative.
Kilau is cosy. There's no doubt about that. The real wooden floor holds a perfect number of smooth wooden tables and chairs, and a handful of leather couches thrown in for good measure. Kilau is split into two levels: the first is slightly larger, the second (up a couple of wooden steps) is smaller and a bit more private. The walls are white, the leather dark brown and the floor and wood is light. It works.
Kilau is casual. What I love about this place is the variety of people who come here. There's a group of friends sitting round the table playing a game of Scrabble, a guy in the corner working on his laptop, a couple slouched on a sofa together, two friends catching up over a coffee, intellectuals having a debate over something...I could go on, but I think you've got the picture. When I was here last, the owner came over and chatted with my friend and I (they're on first-name terms) - this place is relational, it's personal, the owners know their regulars. No-one feels like an outsider, everyone is welcome.
Kilau is creative. As it says, it's home to 'Coffee, Crepes and Contemporary Art.' And it does what it says on the tin. Decorating the walls, (Kilau boasts a high ceiling) are exhibitions from a number of contemporary artists, ranging from photographs, funky pictures of animals, people and humdrum day-to-day bits and pieces, beautifully put together on some canvas. To add to it's quirk, this place even has espresso cups hanging from it's lightshades. How cool.
Kilau's range of food and drink is certainly impressive. Its renowned for it's crepes: both savoury and sweet, with a huge choice of fillings - you can even be creative and make up your own. Don't feel restricted to a crepe though, there's baguettes, salads, soups, sandwhiches.... Their coffee is great too - on Saturday, my friend and I had a 'Castrata' - two shots of espresso and latte milk on top (and finished off with a bit of latte art, obviously.) They have an extensive range of coffee syrups, and I'd definitely recommend a hot chocolate (with the works: cream, flumps, a chocolate flake, chocolate powder...it's a sweet tooth's dream.) Be adventurous, you've certainly got the choice.
And the other great thing about this place? (You mean, besides the live music nights, their extension onto Aberdeen University campus, their loyalty card AND internet connection?) Kilau is open in the evenings. In fact, well into the night. Way past my bedtime at least. For those in town, it's yours 'til 11pm. Could it get much better?
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