Victoria Curzon Cinema, London: 7.5

Now, this has to be one of my favourite places in London, the Curzon cinema on Victoria street. Not only does it show good movies in extremely comfortable screening rooms, small, with reclining or double seats, but also you are allowed to take your food and drink with you, to enjoy during the movie. While some chose a bottle of white wine, for me it is invariably carrot cake and tea.

The carrot cake is very good, with a balanced amount of spices and great icing. Possibly top-ten material.

Marks & Spencer, Brussels: 6

Difficult to find a proper carrot-cake outside of what we continentals call the anglo-sphere (or anglo-saxon world). Marks and Spencer is almost diplomatic territory, a small bit of the UK in foreign land. The Brussels store was long-awaited and desired. It is bright and modern, with a cafeteria on the first floor, which should be avoided on week-ends, as it is crowded. On week-days, however, it is a lovely bright space boasting a sumptuous table covered in cakes of every kind, the types you would only find in the UK, from Victoria Sponge to lemon curd and, of course, carrot cake.

It is a slightly oily affair, which probably makes the dough stick together instead of crumbling, and the icing is rather pasty. Not unpleasant, and the abundant walnut covering on the outer part is attractive. But not top-ten material.

Exki, Brussels: 2

Exki is all over Brussels, offering delicious on-the-go organic fast food: salads, soups, quiches, cakes, prepared fruit, sandwiches. Everything is tasty.

The carrot cake, however, is very disappointing. Consistency: hard. Taste: poor. Icing: way too citric. Pity... especially because the logo of this chain is a carrot, and even the small chocolate they offer with their hot drinks is a carrot dark chocolate...

Why carrot cake?

It all started in Cape Town, in 2010. I visited, and greatly enjoyed, the Aquarium. It was a sunny spring day, I was on holiday, I was falling in love with South Africa and I didn't have a care in the world. I bought some carrot cake and tea in the cafeteria and sat outside in the sun, on the wooden tables,  killing time before meeting some friends later on in the evening. 

I hadn't had carrot cake since school, that is about 30 years ago (gasp!). As soon as I put a bit in my mouth, a massive internal explosion occurred in me, and I was inundated by waves of happy memories, comforting thoughts and subtle pleasure felt through my palate. A most delectable and memorable experience.

Carrot cake immediately became my favourite thing in the world. It is the most perfect combination of elements, including carrot (ok, this might not count as one of the recommended daily portions of vegetables, but still, you FEEL it is healthy), spices of different kinds, possibly nuts, possibly raisins, and icing. The result should be balanced. I am conscious that this is a very subjective notion.

This is a very subjective blog. I will present in it my own subjective perception of how good or bad the different carrot cakes I taste here and there are (I would say "around the world", but that sounds presumptuous).

All names, places and dates are true.

Marble Hill, London: 8

Marble Hill House is a beautiful 18th century Palladian villa in Richmond, which was the home of Henrietta Howard, mistress of King George II. Both the house and grounds are worth the visit. The cafeteria offers all kinds of English dishes, and the carrot cake here is fabulous. Definitely in the top ten.

Le Perroquet, Brussels: 2

Le Perroquet is one of my favourite restaurants in Brussels, with charming Art Déco interiors and the most delicious pittas (croc tomate being my favourite), salads and coffees.

Their carrot cake, however, is extremely disappointing. The icing is not worthy of that name and the cake is crumbly and tasteless. Definitely not in the top 10 (or 50, for that matter)