Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Trèsde, Madrid

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Bistro-style eatery
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Michelin Guide

    Dish(es) savoured

    EPP formula seasonal menu €46

    • Caponata “Trapani 1987”; citrus and basil sorbet
    • Grilled zucchini stuffed with ricotta; pistachio and aromatic herbs
    • Angus beef tartar; raifort cream and sea grape
    • Crust Iberian sirloin; vegetable tartar and sauteed snow peas
    • Fine cheese selection
    • Apricot sponge cake; rosemary and granola

    Others

    • Pea soup amuse-bouche
    • Anchovy snack

    Price

    • Final bill: €117 for 2 pax including 2 glasses of wine

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Taberna Úbeda, Madrid

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): The octopus
    • Decor: Tapas bar
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Michelin Guide

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Ensalada de tomate
    • Albondigas
    • Pulpo plancha
    • Tarta de queso

    Price

    • Final bill: £64 for 2 pax

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): The torta
    • Decor: Modern trattoria with terracotta exterior
    • Service: Charming and attentive, knows their stuff
    • Other thoughts: Big shout out to the staff who put up with my odd pregnancy demands! Including scrambling to find a takeaway bag (I didn’t want the delicious food to go to waste).

    Dish(es) savoured

    Set lunch (3 courses) £26

    • Antipasti: Insalata Caprese – Buffalo mozzarella, zebrino and heritage tomatoes. basil, planeta olive oil
    • Main: Bavette – Chargrilled bavette steak, lemon crushed jersey royals, salsa verde
    • Dolce: Torta del giorno – Torta caprese (chocolate and almond flourless cake)

    Price

    • Final bill: £29 for 1 pax, the 3 course set lunch only, no drinks, 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Civerinos Stockbridge

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): New York Style Pizza: The Civerinos
    • Decor: American diner-style pizzeria
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Voted as the 13th best pizzeria in the world by TimeOut. Chain restaurant; 4 in Edinburgh and 1 in Glasgow. Taste of rosemary was overpowering.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • THE CIVERINOS: Double marinara, Italian style sausage, pepperoni, rosemary, black pepper, parsley, burrata, garlic oil

    Price

    • Final bill: £29 for 2 pax, one 20″ pizza only, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Urban Angel

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): The brownie
    • Decor: Modern cafe
    • Service: Good, helpful
    • Other thoughts: Surprisingly good gluten-free brownie! Kitchen closes an hour before closing time.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Eggs Benedict with pan fried mushrooms & spinach
    • Gluten-free brownie

    Price

    • Final bill: £20 for 1 pax, no drinks, 10% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Street Box

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: Yes, for something quick and affordable
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Thai neon street bar. Good street art.
    • Service: Good, quick
    • Other thoughts: Food comes when ready. Limited seating as more of a takeaway operation but never had an issue walking in.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • BBQ hot wings
    • Chicken satay
    • Pork belly Pad Thai noodles
    • Chicken Thai red curry

    Price

    • Final bill: £44 for 2 pax, no drinks

    Date

    August 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • 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 seek it 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 seek it 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 seek it 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

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