B&Bs Newsletter 3 Mar 2025

As London basks in the weekend's unexpected gift of blue skies, Barnaby & Boo's has been alive with the energy of people venturing out once more! The streets are bustling again, trees showing first signs of spring's promise with tender buds appearing.

In times when the wider world feels increasingly difficult to comprehend, there's profound comfort in our personal connections. This weekend brought the joy of celebrating Boo's 13th birthday, surrounded by friends and laughter. Thank you for all the gifts and well wishes everybody!

These simple pleasures—sunshine, community, celebration—remind us of what truly matters.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead,

Oh, and don't forget it's pancake day tomorrow! Great excuse to get out, enjoy the weather and treat yourself!

In this weeks newsletter:

Pancake Week at B&Bs
Did you know?

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Rob, Amanda, Barnaby & Boo!

What is Buttermilk? The Secret Ingredient Behind the Fluffiest Pancakes

If you’ve ever wondered what makes pancakes so irresistibly fluffy, moist, and tender, the answer often lies in one magical ingredient: buttermilk.

At our café, it’s the star of our Buttermilk Pancakes, and trust us, once you understand what buttermilk is, you’ll appreciate every bite even more.

Buttermilk isn’t actually milk with butter in it (common misconception!). Traditionally, it was the liquid left behind after churning butter from cream. This “original” buttermilk was naturally tangy, thanks to the friendly bacteria present in the cream. Today, what we call buttermilk is typically a cultured product - similar to yogurt - made by adding live bacterial cultures to milk, which gives it that signature tang and thick, creamy texture.

What makes buttermilk so special for pancakes (and baking in general)? Its slight acidity reacts with leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder, creating bubbles of carbon dioxide. These bubbles give pancakes their height and airy texture. Plus, buttermilk adds a subtle tanginess that balances sweet toppings beautifully.

And speaking of toppings, let’s talk about our Stack of Five Buttermilk Pancakes. They’re served with a luscious seasonal berry compote, fresh berries, a dollop of creamy mascarpone, and drizzled with maple syrup. A light sprinkle of icing sugar and a touch of fresh mint complete this picture-perfect dish. Want to take it to the next level? Add crispy streaky bacon for the ultimate sweet-and-savoury combo—highly recommended!

Dining with little ones? We’ve got you covered with our Kids Pancakes, a smaller stack and simpler version of the same buttermilk goodness, perfectly sized for tiny tummies.

Buttermilk isn’t just an ingredient - it’s the reason our pancakes are fluffy clouds of perfection. Whether you’re here for a leisurely brunch or treating the kids, this dish is guaranteed to leave everyone smiling.

Ready for a stack? Your perfect breakfast (and maybe bacon) is waiting!

Amelia Simmons & the Fluffy Legacy of Buttermilk Pancakes

Buttermilk pancakes as we know them today are often credited to the ingenuity of early American homesteaders, but one name often tied to their popularization is Amelia Simmons.

In her groundbreaking 1796 cookbook, American Cookery, Simmons showcased recipes that used simple, accessible ingredients like buttermilk.

Though her exact pancake recipe didn’t call for buttermilk, it’s believed that inventive home cooks adapted her methods, using buttermilk leftover from butter churning.

This clever swap created pancakes that were lighter, fluffier, and full of tangy flavor. Thanks to pioneers like Simmons, buttermilk pancakes became a beloved breakfast tradition that still delights us today.

5 STAR Review

"We came in for breakfast and I ordered a cortado alongside buttermilk pancakes with compote and mascarpone. Service was fast and friendly, with coffee arriving at our booth more or less immediately and breakfast not long after. Pancakes were delicious and coffee was really good too. Definitely will be coming here again, this is now my favourite place for coffee/breakfast in New Malden."

Thank you for your lovely review Satnam! We look forward to welcoming you back soon.