Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Aphrodite, Perth (Scotland)

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Classic Mediterranean, complete with faux vines on the ceiling that create an outdoor patio feel.
    • Service: Chilled
    • Other thoughts: Mediocre – I can make better food at home with just the oven function

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Pikilia (Mixed Grill to share): Gyros, lamb skewer, beef burger, halloumi, pita bread, chips, salad and tzatziki

    Price

    • Final bill: £45 for two pax, excluding service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Cardinal

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): The mutton belly
    • Decor: Modern bistro. The darkened windows make it look shut from the outside, but it’s actually bustling inside.
    • Service: Good but harried
    • Other thoughts: Delicious but clearly budget-conscious. E.g. the vegetables crowd out the mutton belly.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Market Menu – 3 course £25

    • Complimentary bread
    • Wild Garlic | Haddock | Leek – Gnocchi
    • Apple | Watercress | Mustard – Mutton Belly
    • Blackcurrant Leaf | Rhubarb – Choux

    Price

    • Final bill: £30 including 15.0% service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Nishiki

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Japanese breakfast
    • Decor: Minimalist, modern Japanese with large white paper lanterns artfully arranged.
    • Service: Very slow. Two waitresses are not enough for a 25+ seat restaurant.
    • Other thoughts: The soft serve was surprisingly moreish. Delicious, but maybe one to share!

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Japanese breakfast
    • Miso-chocolate soft serve

    Price

    • Final bill: £24 for one pax, including 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Town House Deli & Bakery, Falkland

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Their baked goods
    • Decor: Modern deli
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Artisan larder + bakery with a small seating area

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Chai glazed cardamom bun

    Price

    • Final bill: £4 for a pastry

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

    ,

  • The Edinburgh Larder

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Cramped trendy brunch cafe
    • Service: Excellent, and flexible. Sorted a mixup between pumpkin chai tea vs latte w/o any issues.
    • Other thoughts: One to pre-book far in advance.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Seasonal drink: Pumpkin chai latte
    • Eggs Royale: Belhaven cold-smoked sea trout, free-range poached eggs and hollandaise sauce on buttered granary toast.
    • Waffle: Larder’s homemade waffle, cardamom & honey butter, vanilla cream, oat & hazelnut crumble and roasted rhubarb.

    Price

    • Final bill: £40 for two pax, including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Vietnam House Art Gallery Café

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es):
    • Decor: Cheerfully artsy
    • Service: Boss aunty with beleaguered staff. A vegetarian customer was refused the papaya salad without fish sauce, claiming the dish would be incomplete. She also firmly stated that she doesn’t serve western salads in her restaurant.
    • Other thoughts: Takeaway is available, but do not expect quick service. I had to wait ten extra minutes to ensure the BBQ pork was sufficiently crispy to the boss aunty’s satisfaction – but it was certainly worth the wait! She also skillfully wrapped my baguette so that I could “peel it like a banana.”

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Takeaway: BBQ Pork Bánh Mì

    Price

    • Final bill: £13 excluding service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Hoi An

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es):
    • Decor: Like you’re transported to Hoi An
    • Service: Quick and efficient
    • Other thoughts: Very busy – we nearly got turned away rocking up at 6.15pm on a Tuesday.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Hoi An pancake with prawn: Crispy rice flour pancake served with fish sauce, lettuce, carrot and mint
    • Papaya salad with prawn: Green papaya salad made with shredded papaya, carrot, herbs, peanuts and a tangy dressing of lime and fish sauce
    • Grilled chicken with rice: Chicken tigh marinated with lemongrass, garlic, shallots and slowly pan grilled. Served with fried egg, salad and steamed rice

    Price

    • Final bill: £42 for two pax, including service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Ivantxu Espacio Bistronómico, Seville

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Everything was equally good and there was no one standout disk
    • Decor: Coastal influenced interior design with blue accents
    • Service: Good, but strangely overly concerned waiters
    • Other thoughts: Despite the gravitas exuded by the waiters, the restaurant has a very rock-and-roll logo.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Tasting Menu

    • Grilled oyster (Guillardeau nº 2), ham velouté and Iberian jowl
    • Scallop, foie gras, and green apple
    • Cannelloni, sauce and truffle
    • Fish of the day, red prawn foam, leek
    • Acorn fed Iberian presa and béarnaise foam
    • Citrus, lemon ice-cream, grapefruit, ginger cream, lime and orange
    • Amontillado ice cream, PX, sponge cake, spices
    • Petit Fours

    Price

    • Final bill: €55 per pax

    Date

    • March 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Lawn at Marine (Hotel Restaurant), North Berwick

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Pub food
    • Decor: Cosy, traditional upmarket pub. Fantastic views of the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock.
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Crispy, non-greasy fish and chips. Bathrobes allowed (relevant if you’re visiting the spa).

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Fish and Chips

    Price

    • Final bill: £20

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Spanish Butcher, Edinburgh

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Steak
    • Decor: Modern, dark
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: They subbed the Scotch Tomahawk for the Galician prime rib since they were out; still absolutely delicious! The portion would have easily fed three people, so we definitely overate (even without dessert). Sourdough included. Only comment is that the salmon starter needed more “base” (e.g. more bread) to balance the flavours.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Sunday Roast for Two to Share

    • Starters: Hot smoked harissa salmon creme fresh, pickled fennel, crisped leeks & Beef and marrow sliders, truffle cheese, harissa aioli
    • Main: 1.2kg Scotch Tomahawk served with the classic roast trimmings

    Price

    • Final bill: £113 including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • April 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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