The new sign is on the wall
We have had two consecutively hot days! Two!
I mean it’s not hot by most standards, but in London when the sun comes out so do the short shorts and micro minis. I love it. People drive with the windows down, blasting out the tunes and people actually smile at each other in the street! It’s amazing.
All of the blossoms are out and the city is restless. London Fields was full of revelers enjoying their BBQ’s and take away food from Broadway Market yesterday, I only wish they would pick up after themselves. It was a sad sight this morning when children attempted to play football/soccer amongst the crushed beer cans and hundreds of plastic bags. I was really upset by that. I sure hope there weren’t any cupcake wrappers out there contributing to the detritus.
Seriously guys, can’t we do better????
On another note, it was a joy to see so many of my customers and friends out at the market yesterday and really can’t wait to open the doors of VIOLET so that we can eat treats and drink delicious filter coffee and delicate leaf teas all week!
The tentative date is May 1st
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Well… we are nearly ready to open.
Ana icing cupcakes in the new kitchen
It has been blood, sweat and tears but the space is just about ready!!
I keep being teased by friends as I continually say we will be open “in two weeks”.
But that is the truth! I think it’s going to open in two weeks and then something happens like the oven doesn’t turn on (or off!) or a door needs replacing or a dishwasher needs repair. I know these things will go on and on, but it needs to feel like everything is ready for the opening. At least for that day!
I did inaugurate the space last Thursday with a small supper with a great friend and former colleague who is visiting from California. After 16 years as chef at Chez Panisse and 5 years as chef and proprietor of Eccolo Chris Lee and his awesome wife and landscape artist Janet Hankinson are traveling and consulting. Janet was incredible helping me source things and design the space to get it ready for our first event. She and Christopher worked tirelessly for two weeks and what a success it was. The food! Oh my God it was delish. Just so there isn’t any confusion, I’m NOT opening a restaurant. Violet will be a cake bakery where you can buy cakes and have a cup of tea, filter coffee or a juice and a savoury bite such as an asparagus tart. I will keep you posted on special events and can’t wait for you to check it all out.
Here are some photos.
Squab cooked over a hole with treviso salad
Janet's dining room
Yorkshire rhubarb tarts
putting Henry's flowers on the salad
Henry and Jemima hours before the birth of baby Johnny x
See you at the shop very soon… in two weeks!!