Best Pastries in Hoddesdon

"Mini Éphémère, a lemon and yuzu meringue and cream version of the Merveilleux. Finding a delicious sweet treat for less than £2 anywhere in London is rare but finding something that will put your sweet tooth into a trance in South Kensington for £1.20 is some kind of miracle. At Aux Merveilleux de Fred, the mini versions of their namesake confections are so light – and inexpensive – that you can indulge without guilt."

"For the melt-in-the-mouth pastry experience only a true French chef such as Frédéric Vaucamps can achieve, book yourself in at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Famed for their brioches, meringues and truffles, which are must-buys, the whole menu is highly acclaimed. Do yourself a favour and get some takeaway buns to enjoy as you travel around the rest of the city – they are truly merveilleux."

"If you’re a big fan of croissants, then the Pasty Parlour is a must for your Little Black Book. One of London’s best bakeries, everything is baked fresh on-site daily and their pastries are said to rival the originals from across the channel. 8 Piazza Walk, London E1 8FU; thepastryparlour.co.uk"

"This dog-friendly east London café is certainly one to add to your London vegan food roster. Not only is there a full vegan English breakfast, complete with crispy hash browns, roasted plum tomatoes and grilled sourdough dripping in creamy vegan butter, they also serve seriously generous portions, leaving even the hungriest of customers full. There’s far more than fry ups on offer, though: the spicy coconut ramen is a delightful winter warmer, served with silky tofu, shiitake mushrooms and thick udon noodles deliciously slurped up when drizzled in hot chilli oil."

"Italian-originating Said is the London offshoot of Rome’s oldest chocolate shop, but the gravity of such status doesn’t stop it from getting a little silly. Hot chocolate here transcends warm beverage to full-blown dessert – rich, thick, molten chocolate is spooned into cups so generously it often overflows. Cakes can be ordered here too, with the option of adding a dutiful drenching of hot milk, dark or white chocolate sauce."

"Philippe Conticini is a legend of pâtisserie and both of his eponymous Londoncafés are home to some of the finest gourmet pastries on this side of the channel. Paying a visit to Phillipe Conticini is like paying your respects to the butter gods. His Paris Brest is a thing of delicate, complicated beauty; his vanilla flan a reminder of what heights custard can achieve; and his pain au chocolat, a pastry so layered and flaky that it makes all pretenders seem a sham."

"Brought to you by the Goodman Restaurant Group, the people behind the Burger & Lobster restaurants, this restaurant champions the beasts of land and sea – the finest beef and Norwegian Red King Crab. The crab comes from the Norway King Crab company in Bugøynes, a small town on the Northern Norwegian/Russian border that benefits from the behemoths of crustacians. While the meat is handpicked from around the globe – everything from USDA Nebraska’s 150-day corn fed Chateaubriand to A5 Grade Japanese Wagyu Sirloin."

"Hidden in Marylebone, there is a secluded terrace where those in the know go for decadent platters of fruits de mer and glasses of champagne. For the cooler months, flare heaters provide ample warmth for the Beast experience, where king crab and Angus steak are always a highlight."

"Restaurants Seafood Marylebone"

"Selfridges’ all-day restaurant Brasserie of Light stays true to its name. Illuminated by glowing orbs, the centre-piece is a 24ft crystal-encrusted statue of Pegasus by Damien Hirst, which soars over diners with its colossal 30-ft-wings outstretched – Hirst’s largest piece of artwork in London to date. Another of Martin Brudnizki’s projects, the restaurant was created as the final part of the department store’s £300 million investment in its London flagship."

"It’s not everyday you see a sparkling Pegasus adorning the ceiling while you’re tucking into a meal, but then again it’s not everyday you’re dining at Oxford Street’s Brasserie of Light. Designed by the legendary Damien Hirst, you’ll find this crystal-encrusted Pegasus tucked inside Selfridge’s. Oh, and the food isn’t half bad either."

"Found in the heart of Selfridges, it's no wonder that Brasserie of Light had to look just as impressive as the building it's housed in. Boasting a menu put together by Portuguese chef Emanuel Machado, not only can you expect elevated dishes, you can dine under a giant crystal horse put together by the notorious Hirst."

"Tucked behind the heart of Theatre Land on St Martin’s Court, the red facade of J Sheekey’s fish, shellfish and seasonal game restaurant is nothing short of iconic. Sheekey’s is as famous and as much a part of the West End as the actors and theatregoers who frequent it pre- or post-show and it’s been top of its game for over 100 years. Devour seafood platters or pop in for oysters and a glass of Champagne or head next door to the more casual, but just as loved, J.Sheekey Atlantic Bar."

"It's part of London's vast culinary mythology, and it feels a bit like stepping back in time to Covent Garden's theatrical heyday. J Sheekey offers a cornucopia of the city's freshest seafood in a darkly lit, brass embellished ambience which is perfect for highbrow romancing or laid back business dealings. Start with scallops in a halfshell with garlic and chilli for £17.50, and move on to a grilled Dover sole with bearnaise for £39.50."

"A jewel of the Covent Garden dining scene, this incredibly smart restaurant was opened by 1890s fishmonger Josef Sheekey on the permission of Lord Salisbury (who wanted somewhere to eat after the theatre)."

"Feast Your Eyes|Photograph by Maz McEwan | Courtesy of Crosstown Doughnuts. Betsy and Jo, founders of pop-up stand You Doughnut, have perfected the art of the bitesize doughnut, resulting in mouth watering morsels with a choice of toppings and sauces. The doughnuts are always fresh, ensuring that they are consistently delicious."

"Since it was originally introduced at Dominique Ansel Bakery, variations of the cronut have spread all over the world, and Rinkoffs Bakery in London has its own great take on the pastry called the Crodough. Of course, Rinkoffs isn’t content to offer only one flavor and has plenty of toppings including oreo, raspberry, toffee apple crumble, peanut butter & jelly, and much more. You can purchase individually or select from a few assortments, including the Crodoughbouche, a towering stack of 250 Crodoughs that’s perfect for catered events and gatherings."

"Boasting an impressive selection of breads, rolls, pastries, cakes, and freshly made sandwiches, family-run Rinkoff Wholesale Bakery certainly knows its stuff. However, setting aside the traditional, its recent foray into the delicacy known as a ‘cronut,’ a cross between a croissant and a doughnut, has been met with enthusiasm. Titled the ‘crodough,’ Rinkoff’s take on this hybrid snack includes nine different flavours."

"A quick scan of Covent Garden‘s Top Secret Comedy Club line-up will leave you asking: who hasn’t performed at the venue?. Comedians like Eddie Izzard, Jack Whitehall and Michael McIntyre are among the famous faces to have taken to its stage over the years to practice new material before heading off on tour. Not much of a secret anymore, this comedy club is recognised as one of London’s favourites, with tickets for its intimate shows sold on a first-come, first-served basis."

"Another of the top things to do in London at night for free is heading for a night of free laughs at the Top Secret Comedy Club in London’s West End. Top Secret Comedy Clubhosts stand up comedy performances by some of the worlds top comedians. But for those looking for a free night out in London, the unique Comedy Club also offers completely free performances by up and coming comedians or those sampling out new material."

"The Top Secret Comedy Club attracts the kind of crowd that makes people want to become comedians in the first place. The room is regularly packed to the rafters with a raucous group of joke-lovers… and it’s always a hell of a laugh being amongst them. Find out what’s lined up in the next few months here."

"For eight years running, the 99 Comedy Club has won the award for ‘Best Comedy Club’ in the city for its stellar lineup of talent and the many LOLs that have reverberated around its walls. As the flagship 99 Comedy Club (the other is in Covent Garden), there’s always a buzz at this West London venue; almost every evening features funny humans, some of whom have residencies. Along with a coveted seat, which you can nab from £7, you can order various foodie packages like prosecco and a two-course dinner or pizza."

"There's top notch comedy at the 99 Club every day of the week. Even when they're big news, comedians continue to play here — of late the great James Acaster has been putting on something of a residency. Always good to sign up to their mailing list to get the last minute heads-up on their sooper-seekrit special guests too."

"Kae Kurd, Chris McCausland, Simon Brodkin, Sara Barron, Marlon Davis, Micky Overman, Darrien Harriott, Jo Caulfield and more. Tickets: 99clubcomedy.com"

"The Leicester Square Theatre has an illustrious past, as it was the venue of the Cavern Club in the swinging Sixties. The group The Small Faces had a residency there, the Rolling Stones played there with the Who, and the Sex Pistols held several gigs there, including their preview of 'London Calling'. Over the last few years, it's been a venue to some of the world's top comedy acts."