Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Funambulista Bar, Madrid

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Osteria vibes, but they also serve proper food
    • Service: Good, knows their stuff
    • Other thoughts: Good mocktails; it’s always surprising when you get a good one!

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Cocktail: Circus Barrel
    • Mocktail: Terciopelo

    Price

    • Final bill: £20

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Valvona & Crolla

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes, if entertaining toddlers
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Italian farmhouse
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Big seating area at the back of an Italian delicatessen. Very child-friendly, otherwise better price-to-quality ratio elsewhere. While you can’t buy produce e.g. cheese from the shop to eat in the cafe, you can for wine @£8 corkage.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • V&C Antipasto: Selection of cured meat, marinated peppers, griddled courgette and aubergine, focaccia
    • Rigatoni: Pasta, slow cooked Fonteluna pork sausage, tomato and basil sugo
    • Linguine: Pasta, white crab meat, Italian tomatoes, garlic, chilli, parsley, white wine, EVOO

    Price

    • Starters: £5-£20
    • Mains: £20-£25

    Date

    • July 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Boar’s Head Fife

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes, only if in Auchtermuchty
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Squid
    • Decor: Modern gastropub
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Melt-in-your-mouth squid (one of the daily specials) and great mocktails. Decent enough Sunday roast.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • East Neuk Kilnhouse hot smoked trout with new season potato salad
    • Squid daily special
    • Scottish sirloin of beef Sunday roast served with roasted carrots, potatoes, broccoli, homemade Yorkshire pudding & beef gravy

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Alcohol free passionfruit martini

    Price

    • Final bill: £97 for 2 pax, 2 courses only with 1 beer and 2 mocktails

    Date

    • July 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Bearded Baker

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: No, only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a; famous for their cinnamon buns and bagels
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Perfect if you’re looking for something light and fluffy

    Baked good(s) savoured

    • £4.00 cinnamon bun

    Date

    • July 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Loon Fung Cantonese Restaurant, Glasgow

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Congee
    • Decor: Upmarket Chinese restaurant
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Decent dim sum. Would avoid Three Kind of Roast as drenched in sauce and too salty. The cheese-filled dumpling squirts, so beware!

    Dish(es) savoured

    • King Prawn Cheung Fun
    • Turnip Mousse
    • Crispy Fried Prawn in Beancurd Wraps
    • King Prawn with Cheese Salt Egg Yolk Sauce
    • Char-Siu Buns
    • Beef Ball Dumpling
    • Beef & Ginger & Spring Onion Dumpling
    • Fisherman’s Congee
    • Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaves
    • Three Kind of Roast
    • Crispy Egg Yolk Buns

    Price

    • Final bill: £90 for 4 pax with Chinese tea

    Date

    • August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Imperial Palace

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Upmarket Chinese restaurant
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Restaurant located on top of Matthew’s Foods (Asian supermarket)

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Grilled Turnip Paste
    • King Prawn Cheung Fun
    • Prawn Chives Dumplings
    • Pork & Prawn Dumplings
    • Char Siu Bun
    • Chinese Sausage & Bacon Pot Rice
    • Custard Bun

    Price

    • Final bill: £46 for 2 pax, no drinks

    Date

    • July 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Minami

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes, if in the area; 7 mins from Edinburgh Waverley Station
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Sushi
    • Decor: Japanese beach bar with bright yellow interior
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Western style sushi restaurant tucked away in the backstreets. Pricey.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Miso soup
    • California Crunch

    Price

    • Final bill: £21, no drinks, 10% service charge

    Date

    • July 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Little Parlour, Stockbridge

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Little confectionery shop selling ice-cream at the counter
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Decent ice-cream, mediocre gelato. Missing the promised creamy texture. Second branch of a popular ice-cream shop in South Queensferry.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Cookies & Cream

    Price

    • Final bill: £3.50

    Date

    • July 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Chez Jules Bistro

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Steak
    • Decor: French bistro
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Need to reserve; walked in at 12pm on a Monday and only outdoor seating was available

    Dish(es) savoured

    Chez Jules Lunch Menu

    • Terrine de Campagne, Onion chutney and toasts
    • Chargrilled skirt steak au poivre with p ommes frites
    • Mousse au chocolat

    Price

    • Final bill: £15.90, no drinks

    Date

    • July 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Domenico’s

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Cozy Italian restaurant with dim lighting
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: A tad too heavy on the cream. Lasagna will take 25 minutes.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Haggis Pasta: An Italian pasta dish with a Scottish twist! Tagliatelle, haggis, truffle pesto, wild mushrooms & cream

    Price

    • Final bill: £13.75 for one main only, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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