The Foodie Files

Celebration at The Ivy Cafe, Blackheath

The past few months have been incredibly eventful, filled with significant moments that have reshaped my mindset and focus for the future. I plan to write individual posts about each of these transformative experiences, but one stands out that I must mention first – my mum and I wrote a book! Yes, after years of starting and stopping, we’ve finally become authors! I’ll be dedicating a full blog post to this amazing achievement soon. But for now, to celebrate, my best friend treated us both to a wonderful meal at The Ivy Cafe in Blackheath, London.

Exploring Itsu in Southwark: A Pet-Friendly Foodie Adventure

Hey there, foodie fam! Sasha Shantel here, your go-to gal for all things scrumptious. Today, I’m taking you on a journey to Itsu in Southwark, where every bite is a flavour-packed delight. And guess what? I had the pleasure of bringing along my partner-in-crime, Katie, and her adorable pup Chuck Taylor. Talk about a paw-some day out!

A Bohemian Dream- Brunching at Grind, Greenwich

Nestled in the heart of Greenwich, a borough famous for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, lies Grind Cafe, a hidden gem that promises a delightful sensory experience. With its cozy ambiance, top-notch coffee, and mouthwatering menu, this charming café has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Join me as I delve into my recent visit to Grind Cafe and explore all the reasons why it should be on every cafe lover’s radar.

Jimmy Choo Opens Choo Cafe Pop-Up in Harrods

This non-coffee drinker sure does enjoy heading to cool cafe spots with super pretty aesthetic so I can take even more pretty content for my Instagram! and yes that is exactly what I will be doing at the Choo Cafe which has recently opened in Harrods for a limited time only. The decor is perfect for my fellow content creators and lovers of coffee and cake and I have scheduled a trip to head down there in the next few weeks.

An evening of Luxury Living with The Flaneur

I am totally under no illusions that this type of living is the norm for millions of people. I for one know exactly what it’s like to dine in 5 star restaurants and to hang out in hotels and spas that many would dream of. (Not bad for a woman from Peckham!) However, since I ended my magazine in 2018, and the pandemic dropped kicked me to the ground in 2020 (like it did for so many people!) I haven’t really dined out anywhere special. I haven’t surrounded myself with opulence and I haven’t been treated to anything special either.

Celebrating Another Year – Afternoon Tea at Ambassadors Bloomsbury Hotel

was going to name this post “Levelling Up” as this is what always comes to mind when I go to afternoon tea. I love the feeling it brings and it reminds me of why I keep pushing and working on this blog and my other ventures. What it would be like to go to afternoon tea whenever I wanted and to review various swanky hotels and seeing what they have to offer. I am blessed with the fact that I ran my own online magazine for 8 years which afforded me the luxury of reviewing ALOT of different afternoon tea venues. Yet, that was then and this is now and I really want to take sashashantel.com to next level and to review more venues like these.