A good baby shop and a talk about bread

Opposite the Kuwaiti embassy, on the road from the US embassy towards Dair Ghbar there is a little stretch with some shops. I have already blogged about it, that's where you find a second cup and a cactus shop (or is it cacti?!) - well I was told there was a new bakery opened and of course I had to check it out.

But before I come to that (and the lovely cookies they make) well I have to talk about Rawhi Pharmacy. You see, I have learned to go into every single pharmacy I find on my way, just to have a look at their baby stuff selection - sometimes, like today, one can have a fab discovery.

The call themselves the "One Stop Baby Shop" and yes it probably could be. On the first floor they have a huge amount of strollers and car seats - several UK and French brands (the prices are huge as well...) but the choice is there. Then sell playpens and booster seats, high chairs and bath tubs and all kind of security things (monitors, mats for the bath, shades for the car windows... etc) and the whole collection of bébé comfort (toys, plates and cutlery, baby carriers...). You can even make a wish list for the arrival of your little one. And then the best thing of my discovery... They sell "organix" products!

Amazing!

Don't get too excited, I got the 2 last pouches (2.400 JD), but I did tell the pharmacist to get more and to get other flavours.... A part from the pouches, they have teething biscuits, cereals bars, raisins... so good stuff!

So after leaving baby shop heaven, I arrive at BreadTalk, the bakery. I got a bit disappointed as I had a "no" when I asked the shop assistant if I could take pictures (that's the first time in 2 years). It's a bakery, there is nothing so special about their concept and I just wanted a couple of pics to illustrate my blog. Shame.

So a part from the not so understanding shop assistant, it's a nice place. There is a small sitting area to enjoy coffee and cake. They have lots of salty things (garlic bread is one I remember) and then they have a few different types of toasts, biscuits... and cakes. They have an open kitchen which is a nice feature, the pastry guy was making what seemed to be a yummy cake. 

this is what you get for 12JD...

This is what I bought. A carrot toast and wholegrain toast, both are very nice. Bibs loved the wholegrain one. And then the reason why I went, their biscuits: they are freshly made by hand, no additives, only good stuff. A little sweet maybe for some, but with a good cup of coffee or a lovely cuppa tea they are perfect. It's a bit expensive - the wholegrain toast is 3JD, which double the price of the supermarkets. Biscuits are 3JD as well. 

I love days like this! It's always nice to discover new places. 

German bakery

The day I discovered the German bakery (a long time ago) I was so happy!

Entrance of the Shop in the basement of the mall 

Danes love their "brown bread"... The shop is on the P1 level of Baraka Mall, or ABC or Storia or whatever that mall is called! It seems to change name quite often.

Besides the brown bread, they also have some really yummy small rolls with raisin, a few pastries and some other breads. The owners are absolutely lovely. I think I have met the whole family! It's very funny when a Jordanian speaks English with a German accent.

Small rolls with the raisins on the left - and the yummy brown bread on the right

Pastries, rolls....

Bretzels!

It is also possible to order cakes and other goodies. 

You know you are back when... and French cooking in Amman

I simply cannot believe that I have neglected my blog like this! But for my defence we have been quite busy: and no don't worry I have been sitting in Dubai airport all this time... A week after we came back from the Emirates, we suddenly had to leave for the UK and that was that month on March. Pouf, gone! While in the UK, I could have found time to write, but we did not have internet. It's amazing how addicted you get to that stuff, but having said that an internet break is not a bad thing.

To celebrate my return to blogging, I thought I would make a little post about the small things that I rediscover!

So I know I am back in Amman when...

- you loose 15 degrees temperature wise, going from huge sunshine and 26 degrees to 11 and rain in 2 days! Spring time in Amman;
- I can get a couple of huge bunch of lilies at the traffic lights for a tenner;
- I get into Cozmo supermarket where they are renovating and I can walk on the newly laid floor tiles;
- or drive on a brand new layer of asphalt still warm (no wonder the streets are in a poor state);
- I can get tasty strawberries for 250 fils (or a little more) all year around;
- have to get used, yet again, to the non existence of traffic rules in the circles, are so-called roundabouts;
- The kilo of imported papaya reach 20JD or avocados cost 10JD per kilo - that's called extortion, in my opinion;
- when I watch Masterchef Australia and the word "pork" is censured;
- the internet connection is rubbish - one moment fine, the next soooo slow;
- I suddenly discover a German bakery on the parking level of Baraka Mall - where has that come from?? Yummy brown bread.

Then I wanted to share the initiative taken by the French Cultural Centre: 5 French chefs are in Amman this week at the following participating venues: The Grand Hyatt, The Intercontinental, The Sheraton and at Le Notre in Abdoun. We had the chance to try the diner at EVOO @ the Sheraton already, and let me tell you: best food I had in a very long time. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me so pics available, but as entree we had an asparagus broth with scallops, followed by lamb saddle. That was only 2 dishes of the  menu degustation - which is 5 dishes served at the competitive price of 37JD (+ tax & service charge) - the menu also comes with a choice of wines to accompany each dish, the price is then 55JD, still not bad in my opinion. They also offer a few a la carte items. The chef cooking at the Sheraton this week is Bruno Doucet. Tonight we have decided to go and try the Southern kitchen at the Hyatt with chef Lionel Levy and this time I take my camera! If you have some extra cash for a good meal out I think it's the week to use it.