Cupcakes: Coffee-time for those who aren’t in a hurry

Aug 15 2008 by Lady Who Lunches

WHEN the girls and I cross the river for lunch, we usually head for the super-efficient service and calorific delights of the Quarrymill Coffee Shop.

But, while sitting at the Bridgend traffic lights the other week, we were intrigued to spot a new kid on the block.

And after making inquiries, we discovered that Cupcakes is the latest thing among the Kinnoull set’s morning coffee crowd.

But before anyone gets too excited, I don’t think it’s in the same league as Quarrymill.

But, with a few menu tweaks and some staff training, it definitely has potential. The split-level interior has been nicely decorated with squashy sofas, wooden floors and modern art.

And despite the bottom level sitting well below pavement height, it’s surprisingly light and airy.

The girls and I eventually agreed on a table downstairs and set about perusing the small, but imaginative menu.

When we [eventually] attracted the attention of our waitress – who was otherwise engaged upstairs – we ordered three salad bowls, a panini, a smoothie, a coffee, and two tap waters.

My tuna melt was tasty enough, despite the slightly alarming colour of its processed orange cheese topping.

However, it was attractively served with vegetable crisps and home-made coleslaw. I cleared my plate.

The salad bowls were a mixed success. While Jools and Emma enjoyed their avocado and mozzarella; feta and olive combos, Jemima’s three-bean salad with red onion was disappointing.

“A mound of beans served on a bed of leaves does not a lunch make,” reported Jem.

“To add insult to injury, the kitchen also forgot to add the onion, which necessitated a return visit for extra ingredients.”

I would like to tell you that we rounded off our lunch with a selection of chic cupcakes – ‘Sex and the City’ style – but again we were unable to attract the attention of our waitress.

Despite increasingly frenzied hand signals, we appeared to have slipped into that alternative universe where we were rendered invisible.

Still the eponymous cupcakes in the patisserie cabinet beside the till looked good when I got up to pay the bill.

Might be a case of better luck next time.

Venue: Cupcakes Coffee Shop, Commercial Street, Perth.

Food: Soups, paninis, cakes and smoothies.

Decor: Chic, modern duplex with leather sofas

Service: Friendly, but extremely slow

Price: £24.85 (light lunch for four)