PARISIAN STYLING AT COFFEE & COUTURE, LEICESTER
Last Updated on 13th December 2019 by Bejal
Coffee & Couture is the latest spot for a rendezvous involving sweet treats, healthy bowls and High Tea, but with a minutia of twist in the form of couture. Yep let me introduce you to Parisian chic meets delectable artisan patisserie!
Located on Francis street amongst a patronage of uber cool and yummy boutique retail outlets, sits the aptly positioned, Coffee & Couture. Not out of place at all, the dark grey frontage, floral heart and inviting interiors will draw you in to delve further into this pretty bijoux boutique café.
INTRODUCING THE LADY BEHIND THE COUTURE
Coffee & Couture is the brainchild of clothing designer Zayn Shafiq. Her inspiration to create this beautiful space was simply to have a relaxing oasis where she could converse with clients, which then transpired into an idea combining the every growing coffee culture.
Zayn’s passion for attention to detail and fantastic customer services shines through from the moment you meet this yummy mummy and she thrives to provide an outstanding environment when it comes to transforming you to the streets of Paris in her space.
PARISIAN STYLED JARDIN INTERIORS
The bright airy space features a neutral colour palette with large oval mirrored windows adorned with trellising white roses, a teal velvet sofa and chair dressed with coordinated velvet pink and lemon cushions.
Gold accented table legs rugs and pink and blush peony replicas stand proud in the glass vases. A mutated dove grey buttoned feature seat is well placed for a cosy couple moment and my favourite of all a Parisian scene on the opposite wall reminds me of long walks in the city of star crossed lovers.
If you fancy a less intimate affair, a large table splits the service counter and softly furnished space and not forgetting the couture elements of the business, a mannequin stands tall modelling one of Zayn’s creations.
Reading material is in the form of eloquently selected books and Vogue magazines scattered amongst candles on the checkered table tops.
THE COFFEE & FOOD MENU
Coffee & Couture serve an array of teas and coffees and I love their nod to supporting local in many ways but especially in the form of their coffee machine and coffee beans, which is supplied by St Martin’s Roasters. Cakes and Patisserie items are also made locally in the city, providing the sense of community and support of small businesses, which I am so passionate about.
The menu features, brunch bowls (fancy yoghurt, granola and fruit topped beauties), as well as soul bowls (containing healthy savoury options) sweet treats (brioche French Toast) and a Guilt Free cookie granola.
It doesn’t end there though, they also serve an array of delicious cakes such as Chocolate Fudge, Pistacchio and Rose and the famous Milk cake.
Additionally the very talented Natalie from Choux-tique provides exquisite patisserie treats including, fruit tarts and Paris brest.
But Coffee & Couture also provide two very special additional experiences…. Le Parisian High Tea and Le Parisian Luxury High Tea. The best part is that both of these can be accommodated to suit vegetarians.
BRUNCH BOWLS & COFFEE
Our first visit to Coffee & Couture was a brunch stop, which involved a Dr C’s usually black coffee and a refreshing blended iced coffee for myself with a swirl of hazelnut syrup
Our drinks were accompanied by the equally photogenic and tasty brunch bowls. Dr C’s was the Berry Healthy, containing mixed berry yoghurt layered with a fruity granola topped with fresh summer berries, omega seeds and nuts.
I snapped up the Kefir Exotic, which included organic pro-biotic kefir yoghurt layered with the most divine caramel and ginger granola with a chia seed, mango , flaked coconut and pecan scattering.
THE PARISIAN HIGH TEA
We started our High Tea experience with a pot of Loose Mint Tea for myself and loose jasmine tea for Dr C. You can also enjoy a selection of cold drinks, however for me a High Tea is not the same without a leafy constitution to match its name sake.
One by one the beautifully presented cake stands, china and Parisian couture styled plates arrived containing a mixture of savoury and sweet delights.
We started with the savouries (just to mention we opted for a vegetarian High Tea) and lets just say no dry sandwiches or scones in sight or present on taste buds!!
INTRODUCING THE SAVOURIES…
A soft olive ciabatta roll covered with hummus, falafels, sweet chilli jam, roasted aubergine with zatar. What a Moroccan flavour combination
A seeded batch slider, avocado slices, laying on a covering of beetroot hummus with a dispersion of rocket and sun dried tomatoes, held together with a little cocktail stick adorned olive.
Moroccan Tortilla chips
Small filo pastry cases filled with poppy seed turmeric spiced potato cubes garnished with a drop of chive and sour cream.
All the savoury items were created and made by Zayn and tailored to suit dietary requirements on an individual basis.
A FEW SPECIAL PATISSERIE ITEMS…
A mini helping of passion fruit mouse combined with coconut meringue and topped with fresh mango morsels.
The cutest petit sweet pastry tarts filled with chocolate and topped with a raspberry.
Two delicious Paris Brest options, one filled with pistachio crème and topped with rose and pistachio chunks covered in a caramel glaze. The other was a more traditional Paris Brest filled with almond crème and glazed in the usual way.
SOME FAMILIAR SWEET FRIENDS…
A rich and indulgent slice of fudge cake accompanied with piped cream.
Lightly sugar dusted Plain scones with jars of clotted cream, strawberry jam and fresh strawberries.
A NOD TO COUTURE…
The tea ended with the presentation of two beautifully coordinated iced biscuits in the form of a pretty pink Audrey Hepburn- style dress complete with cinched in black waist bow. As with any haute couture queen it was styled with a coordinating Chanel, Diana flap shoulder bag!
BE-LAVIE’S VERDICT
Oh là lá, Coffee & Couture most definitely gets my thumbs up. It’s beautiful, the food and beverage options are simply delicious, fresh, beautifully presented, the environment is serene and a great space to escape and lose your woes for an interval. The homage to Parisian chic will transport you mentally to the many secret miniscule gardens synonymous of jardins Tuileries but the real star is Zayn, her hospitality and service, her passion for this concept and her future ideas for the couture scene. Keep an eye out for more on the couture front.
In the words of Coffee & Couture….
‘All you need is Love and Coffee’
Coffee & Couture
27 Francis Street
Stoneygate
Leicester
LE2 2BE
More information including opening times and contact via Coffee & Couture Instagram Page.
Disclaimer: Please note that your High Tea experience may contain different items to the ones included in this review as some were gifted for this review. All opinions, views and photography are my own and therefore remain a copyright of be-lavie
So tell me who’s paying a visit to Coffee & Couture? Do you know the diference between a High Tea and Afternoon Tea?
A little recap just incase you need anymore tempting…
Á Bientôt…
Binny
What a gorgeous spot for afternoon tea!
Bejal
BinnyIts absolutely gorgeous Binny! One for you to try if you’re ever in Leicester!
Neha
A beautiful afternoon tea. I have to pay them a visit for those biscuits- just so beautiful. Oh and the berry smoothie sounds right up my street. Love this new addition to a Leicester
Bejal
NehaIts really quite stunning and totally delicious items on offer. The Berry is a layered granola with yogurt and fruit and the biscuits are so cute. These ones are part of the High Tea so just call ahead a few days and Zayn can ensure she can get them in for you.
Simply Rasha
Everything looks so delicious! The interiors are so beautiful as well…would love one of those flower-adorned mirrors for my room!
Bejal
Simply RashaIt really was so good Rasha. Zayn has done an amazing job with her styling background but also has kept in quite intimate.
louiseloveslondon
This is sooooo pretty! It’s like taken out of a fairytale and you are the princess 🙂
Which camera do you use? Your photos are so great!
Louise x
Bejal
louiseloveslondonOh yes its such a cute little place and thankyou. I used a combination of camera and iphone! Thanks for reading Louise! Bx
Cristina - Memories of the Pacific
It’s as if someone had created my dream cafe! The decor and presentation of the food is exquisite.
Bejal
Cristina – Memories of the PacificHaha! Isn’t it beautiful? I can 100% vouch the food and drinks are just as tasty and beautiful!
Rachael @ Champagne on Arrival
I had absolutely no idea there was a difference between afternoon tea and high tea, how have I missed this?! The décor is absolutely gorgeous and the food looks delicious. Is this in the same complex as Baker St Cakes?
Bejal
Rachael @ Champagne on ArrivalEvery day’s a school day indeed! Yes it’s a couple of doors down from Baker Street on the beautiful Francis Street in Stoneygate.
Angie Silver
That is a gorgeous afternoon tea!
Bejal
Angie SilverSeriously beautiful place and the tea was so delicious and a looker too!
Aaron (@1dish4the4road)
Wow, what a great spot for tea! Looks like a real treat!..
Bejal
Aaron (@1dish4the4road)When you come to Leicester, we shall have to go and grab a coffee here!