ilovetotravel29

Borrowing on a thread discussing desserts in New York (and also having some chocolate cravings currently), what are some of your must have desserts in London and Florence.

Let me be even more clear---what are some desserts that you MUST not leave London or Florence without partaking in?

I already have Florence gelato down on my list.

rhkkmk

'spotted dick' is one of london's favorites....

i love the gelato in florence

TravlGrl

In Florence, you cannot leave without having gelato from Vivoli's. I've been to Florence twice and went there every day both times. My favorite is the riso (rice) flavor! Mmmmm...
All of the chocolate in London is terrific. Just pop into a market or newsstand and buy a couple of cabury's or other candy bars. Very different from what you get here in the states. Flake is excellent!
Sweet dreams!

alanRow

Sticky Toffee Pudding preferably the Cartmel version

or a steamed treacle pudding

And if you can find a REAL cheesecake (none of this biscuit base nonsense) in Italy your holiday will be complete

teddybear

Cadbury is rubbish, tastes like cardboard.
For really nice handmade chocolates, visit rococco chocolate shop on King's Road:

http://www.rococochocolates.com/organic_artisan.0.html

teddybear

Traditional deserts would include trifle, eton mess, crumble, summer pudding... Most deserts are fruit-based, with generous helping of cream, custard,clotted cream...

CotswoldScouser

The simple answer in the case of London is that there aren't any.

If you like puddings, it really takes no unusual skill to make a decent treacle tart or summer pudding. Unlike many of the puddings in Italy, which really do dependt on individuals' exceptional talents.

And that's just as well, since a depressing proportion of London's restaurants rely on bought-in sticky toffee pudding anyway.

Just buy a copy of The Delia Collection - Puddings and make them when you get home. Far more reliable than hoping tonight's the night the Armenian waiter doesn't mess up the Polish cook's pastiche of Eton Mess.

Carrybean

If you're in Harrod's ask at Punch Cafe if they have summer pudding.

cameron_craig

Just off of Oxford Street, on a street called Wardour Street (in Soho) you'll find a wonderful milk bar called Cookies and Cream (unfortunately there aren't many milk bars in London).

What I like most about this place is the incredible selection of milkshakes. Milkshakes with just about every combination of delicacy included. My personal favourite here is the fudge milkshake. A good friend swears by the jammy dodger milkshake (Jammie Dodger is a sweet biscuit... or cookie).

There's also a selection of cakes and puddings.

What the establishment lacks in atmosphere it makes up for with great milkshakes! It is a touch costly, just under £3 for a medium sized shake.

There's a great little Italian gelatteria along Regent Street, the name escapes me. From Picadilly Circus, head up Regent Street towards Oxford Circus. You'll find it on your left on the corner of Regent St and either Air or Swallow St (I forget exactly). However the ice-creams and deserts here are to die for.

Again, they are costly!

Ben and Jerry's and Hagen Daz, will both give you a quick fix. Both are in Leicester Square.

If you wish to try something less mainstream but equally good, also on Leicester Square (on the western side of the square, opposite the actual garden)... pop into the establishment with the huge window display of ice-creams and frozen yoghurts (you won't miss it - it's very prominent).

They have a good selection of deserts (and yes, again it is pricey).

Hmm... I'm now in the mood for something ever so slightly sweet.

Ciao,
Cameron