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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  • Wee Buddha

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): Apparently their curry but wouldn’t recommend
    • Decor: The downstairs looks like a traditional pub, while the upstairs has hints of an Asian theme.
    • Service: Good enough but not very friendly
    • Other thoughts: Completely westernised food despite the Hong Kong ownership. Extremely overpriced for what you get.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Wee buddha with steamed jasmine rice: Beef

    Price

    • Final bill: £17.50 for one pax excluding service charge, no drinks

    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

    , , ,

  • 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

    , , ,

  • 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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