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Feya, Marylebone

Feya is famous for its pastel décor, butterflies, white blossoms and glistening fairy lights. It’s such a must-visit for locals, bloggers and tourists alike that Amy and I decided to visit and do Glowcation’s first joint review.

It’s run by Zahra Khan, a chef and graduate of Gordon Ramsay’s Tante Marie Culinary Academy. The impressive brunch menu was designed by Virpi Mikkonen, a Finnish author and the blogger behind Vanelja.

The setting

Feya is on St. James Street in Marylebone, just a stone’s throw from St Christopher’s Place and Selfridges. It’s a peaceful escape from the busy crowds of Oxford Street.

The space

From the outside, you can’t miss the iconic cherry blossom trees and glass cake stands in the window.

The floral theme continues inside, with golden butterflies on the pastel pink walls.

Dusky pink chairs and velvet couches add to the elegant atmosphere. There are small marble-top tables and golden cutlery. The quick turnaround of tables means you’re likely to get a seat. But don’t expect to get your laptop out and spend the day there. In particularly busy times, you can choose grab and go. We love the aqua algae or emerald matcha with your choice of dairy or plant-based milk.

 

The fresh juice test

Feya has a selection of cold-pressed juices and smoothies. With so many options to choose from, we eventually decided to review the the layered Mermaid Smoothie. It features dragon fruit, zucchini and blue spirulina and it was delicious. We also had to try one of their six speciality lattes – the pretty Pearl Rose latte with oat milk.

What we ate

The brunch menu has the most choice.

We ordered the Be Gentle – pink oats, caramel chia pudding, mashed rose raspberries, banana flowers and rose petals.

In addition, we tried the Pastel Rainbow Smoothie – a two-tone smoothie bowl with pineapple, banana, spirulina, pitaya and coconut milk, topped with crunchy granola, edible flowers and fresh fruit.

 

While there are several vegan and gluten-free options to choose from, the menu also caters to non-vegans, with dishes such as chicken cobb salad, pesto pasta and a goat’s cheese quiche. The signature dish is avocado toast where the avocado is carved into roses on a bed of hot pink hummus dyed with beetroot. However, the bread which it comes on does contain dairy. The food at Feya is relatively pricey, but is very good quality and stunningly presented.

The little things that make the difference

The decoration is undoubtedly the most outstanding factor of Feya and is what draws people in from near and far.

The bill

Be Gentle  £8.50
Pastel Rainbow Smoothie  £10.70
Mermaid Smoothie  £8.50
Pearl Rose Latte  £5.50

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Marylebone: Gut Health at High Mood Food

High Mood Food is the first grab-and-go café in London with a focus on gut health. It’s tucked down the side of Selfridges.

All of their dishes are enriched with fermented foods which makes their menu super interesting and appealing. I was so excited to pop in for a late lunch to see what this newly opened cafe had to offer.

Their menu caters for all and changes seasonally with ingredients.

 

Gut health are buzz words you will have heard and read about. If you love a good read about a subject then the Glowcation team recommends Gut by Giulia Enders.

The setting

Although High Mood Food is a grab-and-go, there is some seating available. Choose from soft, green banquettes with round tables and potted plants or a bank of high stools at a counter.

There’s free wifi and plug sockets, so you can linger and take in the high end design of copper lights and sleek marbled counters.

The little things

Lovely welcoming staff and so many delicious things to buy! They are stocked with plenty of other gut-loving brands that you can take home, such as wild fizz kombucha, nut blend nut butters, dash water, Lalani & co and many more.

The fresh juice test

Unfortunately they were out of their homemade juices but luckily they stocked Daily Dose juice so I picked up the Coco Verde which was really great.

I’m definitely going to be back to try their in-house smoothies and juices though.

What we ate

I went for the build your own bowl which meant I could choose a base of greens, three salads, a protein, a choice of ferments, toppings and probiotic dressings.

I chose the roasted beetroot with kefir, turmeric roasted cauliflower with chickpeas and tahini, black kale with apple, sultanas, celery and toasted almonds and then the beetroot pickled eggs with biotic mayo.

I’m also a HUGE lover of sauerkraut so actually asked for two types; the turmeric and the spiced.

I also treated myself to a delicious brownie which I had alongside a turmeric latte (I can’t help myself)

What else?

The decor in the cafe is absolutely stunning! The copper lights and gorgeous pink marble counters make this little spot just that extra special.

The bill

Daily Dose Juice £5.00
Build your own lunch bowl £7.50
Brownie £2.50
Turmeric Latte £3.50

What made you glow?

The sauerkraut and pickled eggs… they were delicious!

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Deliciously Ella, Mayfair

Deliciously Ella is such an Instagram hit that founder Ella Mills has some fans thinking her first name  is ‘Delicious’.

Blogger turned businesswoman Ella offers a wide menu of plant-powered goodness and products available online, in shops and at her deli-style café in London. We visited Weighouse Street,  a calm, stylish, welcoming refuge from nearby frantic Oxford St.

The staff are friendly and helpful. The rainbow-coloured food sits on an open-top counter.

Shoppers and local business people pop in and out.

The setting

Delicioulsy Ella occupies a quiet corner on Weighhouse St, one block behind Oxford Street and Selfridges. There’s a food counter and a communal table upstairs plus a large setting area with banquettes and smaller tables downstairs. It’s warm and welcoming.

Wood dominates the decor and there’s fresh flowers or cactus plants on the tables.

Upstairs, a dramatic bronze light sculpture overhangs the table, a stylish mirror reflects the office workers rushing past and the walls are filled with shelves lined with grains, plants and flowers.

The little things

The large wooden kitchen-style table is a good place to relax or work. The food and drink is all available as take-away. We love the wide range of cold-pressed juices on offer.

The green juice test

There’s a choice of two green juices, in two sizes. Greens is a mix of apple, cucumber, celery, spinach and lemon and Deep Greens is a combo of cucumber, celery, spinach, fennel and lemon. We had Greens and it was refreshing and not too sweet.

What we ate

We visited on a winter weekday morning and couldn’t decide between the two porridges on offer-  peanut butter, banana and maple syrup and apple and berry compote, coconut yoghurt and coconut chips. We ended up with both – made with oat mylk and  delicious and filling.

It was some of the creamiest-tasting porridge we have tried.

Next there was a good range of salads to choose from and an autumnal, carrot and yellow split pea soup. All the dishes were served in beautiful ceramic bowls.

Finally, we had an exquisite turmeric latte.

Ella’s hot dish menu changes during the day. Breakfast finishes at 11am.

 

There’s a good range of healthy cakes and snacks throughout the day.

The bill

Porridge with banana and peanut butter £4.50
Porridge with seasonal compote £4.95
Carrot and yellow split pea soup £4.50
Green Juice £6.95 (500ml) £4.75 (330ml)
Turmeric Latte £3.50

What else?

Ella also hosts occasional events. We recently went to a supper event at Weighouse.

We had a fantastic evening meeting Ella and a group of really interesting people aswell as a enjoying three course meal.

We also left with an impressive goodie bag! You can find out more about these on Deliciously Ella’s website.

What made us glow?

The ethos behind the brand, the food and Ella’s attention to detail.

To read our exclusive interview with Ella click here.