"Sugar is timeless. As is Maison Bertaux, a blue-and-white breton stripe-clad French patisserie that’s had a sweet treat mentality since 1871. The hand-piped éclairs come in kitsch little paper cases, there’s an old piano by the till, and drinking a frothy coffee out on the pavement seating in the sunshine can only be improved by loudly claiming you’ve never, ever been to Pret. Taking one of the super-sized croissants to Soho Square is also a very good way to add a little ‘je ne sais quoi’ to your lunch break." - heidi lauth beasley