Cake Hole - Cafe at Vintage Heaven (Columbia Road)

This lovely cafe had been tantalising me for a good few months, every time I walked past I'd have to crane my neck to catch a glimpse inside as I was always in a rush to get somewhere else. So, after a thoroughly enjoyable Saturday morning learning the art of pastry at Lily Vanilli's Bakery (see previous post) I had the chance to go in and get a good eyeful and mouthful. Joining me was the lovely Ms T. We made our way through the shop Vintage Heaven careful not to bash into anything trotted down a few steps into the cafe at the back. We were greeted by the enthusiastic owners who were keen to see the spoils of our morning at the bakery. To say we were made to feel very welcome is an understatement - it was a real pleasure chatting away asking questions about the real fruit teas and homemade cakes - I had a very big (as in high) Victoria Sponge, the butter cream and jam ratio was spot on and a pot of the usual Earl Grey. Ms T had the Plum Sponge which was really moist and fruity plum plum and a pot of Palais Royal Fruit Tea which had bits of real fruit and hibiscus flower and, unusually for a fruit tea, it tasted as it smelled - fruity!

The way the cafe is decorated is a mixture of kitch and design that invoked childhood memories of my Nan's house in Brighton circa 1976. It was a pleasure sitting there knowing I was an adult and remembering myself as a child. Ms T and I had a great time chatting away. I loved this place and will go back again to sample something savoury and probably washed down with the fruity tea.