Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Mint Leaf London

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern bar lounge
    • Service: Receptionist was borderline rude; demanded name and phone number, made a show of checking availability despite 50% occupancy
    • Other thoughts: Tasteless curries, rubbery meat, overpriced. First toilet in the ladies squirts water.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Tandoori Mixed Grill Platter
    • Lamb Chettinad
    • Chicken Banjara
    • Baingan ka Bhartha

    Price

    • Final bill: £55 pp w/o drinks

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Taste From Hungary, Cambridge

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: Yes, if craving for Hungarian
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Magna Poppy Seed Pálinka – tastes like fortified port @ 50%
    • Decor: Rustic, Hungarian
    • Service: Very charming
    • Other thoughts: Only Hungarian restaurant in Cambridge

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Kolbásztál Kinalo Tal – Meat and cheese selection
    • Csirkepaprikás Nokedlivel – Chicken Paprikash with Nokedli
    • Holstein Cigany – Gipsy style steak
    • Somloi Galuska – Hungarian Trifle

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Pálinka: Poppy seed, apricot, cherry peach
    • Kőbányai Beer
    • Hungarian wine

    Price

    • Final bill: £107 for 3 pax sharing – 3 glasses of wine, 1 beer, 2 shots of pálinka (+ 2 free shots), 1 starter, 3 mains and 1 dessert

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Casse-Croûte

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Parisian cafe vibes
    • Service: Good, professional
    • Other thoughts: Complementary still or sparkling water, but still overpriced

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Boeuf en croûte

    Price

    • £40 just for the one main dish, 15% service charge

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • La Bartola, Seville

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): Chipirones con Verduras
    • Decor: Tapas bar
    • Service: Attentive
    • Other thoughts: Lots of other solo travellers at the barstool area

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Ternera Retinta con Papas al Horno
    • Chipirones con Verduras
    • Sushi de Verduras en Tempura con Salsa Boletus

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Vino de Naranja

    Price

    • Final bill: £17

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Az-Zait restaurante, Seville

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): Steak tartar
    • Decor: Modern Andalusian
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Michelin Guide, nice experience but poor price-to-quality ratio

    Dish(es) savoured

    Menú “Hacienda el Monje” (5 pasos)

    • Láminas de foie con pan de aceite – Slices of duck foie gras with olive oil bread
    • Bolsitas rellenas de queso y gambas – Filo pastry with cheese and prawn
    • Lomos de lubina con pisto “marchenero” – Sea bass loin with ratatouille
    • Steak tartar de ternera con mostaza Dijon de frutos rojos – Beef steak tartare with blackcurrant Dijon mustard
    • Milhojas caramelizadas y frutas naturales – Caramelised millefeuille and fresh fruit

    Price

    • Menú “Hacienda el Monje” (5 pasos): €42
    • Final bill: £43 with a glass of wine

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Pastry Section

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good, friendly
    • Other thoughts: Cinnamon bun – Tasteless; flavour entirely from the cream. Matcha cookie – Good edge texture, but mushy centre.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Cinnamon bun
    • Matcha white chocolate amaretti

    Price

    • £4.00 cinnamon bun
    • £3.50 matcha cookie

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Castizo Tapas Bar, Seville

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern, sleek
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Bar – Tapas. Tables – Restaurant menu only. Don’t make the same mistake I did!

    Dish(es) savoured

    • El arroz del día: Sea bass rice

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Sherry in a test tube

    Price

    • Final bill: £11

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • La Brunilda Tapas, Seville

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Confit de pato con crema de zanahoria especiada
    • Decor: Modern
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Big portions, reflected in the price

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Confit de pato con crema de zanahoria especiada
    • Arroz negro con chipirones y alioli
    • Torrijas de brioche

    Price

    • Final bill: £24 for 3 tapas and a glass of vino

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Bar Sal Gorda, Seville

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Oxtail donut
    • Decor: Modern tapas bar vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Quirky & innovative, pre-book or go at opening time

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Oyster with Malibu foam
    • Carbonara croquettes
    • Oxtail donut
    • Steak tartare

    Price

    • Final bill: £26 for 4 tapas and a glass of vino

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Codfish Tomato Stew

    Basque-inspired codfish stew. Versatile dish where you can throw in almost anything. Suggestions include roasted bell peppers and beans. Add basil for an Italian twist. Pan fry the fish separately until golden for texture.

    Ingredients

    Tomato stew

    • Garlic
    • White onion
    • Canned tomatoes
    • Sweet paprika
    • Ground black pepper
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Optional: Lime/ lemon for zestiness, bay leaf for depth, vegetable stock for extra flavour

    Inspiration

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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