In an ode to the iconic, fictional Japanese feline, Soho bakery, Cutter & Squidge has opened a new café inspired by Hello Kitty and, in fact, taking its name from the cute cartoon cat. The Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea café is Europe’s first café utterly dedicated to and designed around Hello Kitty and is expected to pull in fans from around the world.
Beyond purely being a shrine to all things Hello Kitty local, the Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea café is of course also the location at which Cutter & Squidge will make its debut as a hospitality provider. Having successfully established a cult following in the retail and delivery stakes for its delectable cakes and biscuits, the firm has now made the move into the neighbouring café sector – a market by which, in many ways trendy Londoners are known.
The new café is located in the basement of Cutter & Squidge’s existing shop at 20 Brewer Street, Soho, and has been decked out in secret garden style with park benches, mock grass, and ivy hanging from the ceiling.
As for what’s on the menu, those familiar with Cutter & Squidge’s extensive range of contemporary (and moreish) desserts will exult for the café features a large selection of all the brands most popular treats as well as number of delights that’ve been subtly altered in a nod to Hello Kitty. The bakery has created a host of new biskies – Cutter & Squidge’s much-loved biscuit/cake/cookie hybrid – including what’s been dubbed Mama’s Homemade Apple Pie Biskie – inspired by Hello Kitty’s own favourite fancy.
In a digression to the savoury side of life and in acknowledgement of the booming afternoon tea market, Cutter & Squidge is also offering customers a range of lunchtime bites, including cream cheese scones, coronation crackers and gourmet sandwiches. Punters can choose to wash dishes down either a chilled pink lemonade, a cappuccino (topped with stencilled Hello Kitty dusting of chocolate) or one of a range of loose leaf teas.
The Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea café is open until August 31st. And if, as Co-Owner of Cutter & Squidge Annabel Lui worries, the food is “too cute to eat”, customers can also enjoy the various Hello Kitty and bakery goodies on sale. Should the pop-up prove a hit with Soho’s locals, it surely can’t be long before Cutter & Squidge looks to find a permanent residence for the Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea café concept.
