Broughton Spurtle, November 2012 - Ingrid Nilsson solo show
MOUSTACHES WITH A MISSION
Thursday, 8 November 2012
An exhibition of recent work by artist, café proprietrix and female-moustache enthusiast Ingrid Nilsson will open next week at Bon Papillon on Howe Street.
Nilsson's interest in whiskered women (see 'Sketch for Martuska', left) may have been reinforced by statues seen during this summer's holiday in Hungary, but stems originally from a newspaper photo of Amanda Knox dressed as a cat burglar. 'I was struck by the way the moustache added to how beautiful she looked rather than making her seem ugly or ridiculous.
'I think my "ladies" carry off the same effect, giving pause for thought on what we consider beautiful, and even our presumptions about gender.
'Apart from that, they also raise a smile. I have always thought that humour has a place in art.'
The show's topicality in 'Movember' is pure fluke, although husband Stuart is indeed taking part in the national charity fundraiser.
Pictured right is the rather unsettling 'Bois d'Hélène', and below (possibly an insightful look at the perils of underdressing for the Scottish winter), 'Yer Feet's Too Big'.
While the exhibition runs, works by many Bon Papillon regulars will hang in the front café area. Look out for paintings by Mina Braun, Helena Emmans, Tom Sutton Smith, Senja Bownes, Fiona Wilson and Chris Brook among others.
Ingrid Nilsson shows at Bon Papillon, 15 Howe Street, from 19 November to 24 December.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
An exhibition of recent work by artist, café proprietrix and female-moustache enthusiast Ingrid Nilsson will open next week at Bon Papillon on Howe Street.
Nilsson's interest in whiskered women (see 'Sketch for Martuska', left) may have been reinforced by statues seen during this summer's holiday in Hungary, but stems originally from a newspaper photo of Amanda Knox dressed as a cat burglar. 'I was struck by the way the moustache added to how beautiful she looked rather than making her seem ugly or ridiculous.
'I think my "ladies" carry off the same effect, giving pause for thought on what we consider beautiful, and even our presumptions about gender.
'Apart from that, they also raise a smile. I have always thought that humour has a place in art.'
The show's topicality in 'Movember' is pure fluke, although husband Stuart is indeed taking part in the national charity fundraiser.
Pictured right is the rather unsettling 'Bois d'Hélène', and below (possibly an insightful look at the perils of underdressing for the Scottish winter), 'Yer Feet's Too Big'.
While the exhibition runs, works by many Bon Papillon regulars will hang in the front café area. Look out for paintings by Mina Braun, Helena Emmans, Tom Sutton Smith, Senja Bownes, Fiona Wilson and Chris Brook among others.
Ingrid Nilsson shows at Bon Papillon, 15 Howe Street, from 19 November to 24 December.
The List Eating and Drinking Guide: March 2012
The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
Cafés beside the larger art galleries have long been established in Edinburgh, while quite a few independent cafés bring a bit of colour to their walls by displaying local artists. But something squarely in the middle: proper café, in a proper wee gallery, is uncommon. Bon Papillon takes up the challenge, with Ingrid Nilsson looking after (and painting some of) the art and partner Stuart Allan clearly revelling in the creativity demanded by a tiny kitchen as he prepares daily soups, herb scones, a selection of cakes sufficient to merit endorsement from Edinburgh Cake Ladies and simple lunch bites such as goats' cheese on garlic toast.
Gallery showing contemporary art with exhibitions changing every five weeks. Cafe offering home made cakes, lunch specials, soup and sandwiches to eat in or take away. Bespoke 'artisan' framing service creating unique frames from bare wood which is painted, waxed and finished to your specification.
Free Wifi always available
Edinburgh Spotlight: 1st February 2012
Bon Papillon ***** Art gallery and cafe, Howe St.
We have previously reviewed the wonderful Bon Papilion, but returned today on a cold winter’s day to experience their warm hospitality and excellent food.
Owned by Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan, their specialities are divided into Nilsson’s art on the wall and Allan’s framer’s service at the rear of the premises. The couple come together at the food counter serving up home-made soup, savoury tarts and tasty salads to hungry Edinburghers.
Today we plumped for the ‘chèvre chaud’ – a delicious combination of goats cheese toasted on garlic bread accompanied by salad (£5.25) and a ‘hot-smoked’ salmon salad with a large roll (£5.95). Both dishes were of quality equal to be found in a bistro, but then that’s only to be expected since the Stuart is a former chef.
Other savoury choices included savoury tartlets (£6.25), BLT’s (£4.50) and a bacon ciabatta at a bargainous £2.50.
The highlight of a visit to Bon Papillon for us is the freshly made cakes on offer. At a very reasonable £2.10 a slice, we managed to devour a slice of chocolate and beetroot cake and a lime and ginger topped chocolate creation. From past experience, you can’t go wrong with their scones either.
Tea is a very reasonable £1.60 per pot and coffees start at £1.50 for an espresso and a latte will cost you £2.
Everything on the menu is available to take away as well.
We’ve been regular visitors to Bon Papilion since it opened last summer and regularly use it as a working space. The free wi-fi is fast and reliable and there’s such a creative energy in this arty hub, it’s hard to leave. You can take a seat by the window and watch the world walk up Howe Street, or savour your coffee and admire the ever-changing art work on display.
The word has obviously got around town that this place serves wonderful food with a smile, as it was full by the time we moved onto dessert.
Bon Papilion is well worth a visit whatever side of town you live on and we are pleased to award it our ‘highly recommended’ award after providing us with perfect food and service for the last 8 months.
Information
Bon Papillon is situated at 15 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE. Telephone 0131 538 2505
Open every day except Tuesday 9am – 5.30pm (10 am Sunday).
You can have a look at their website and read their blog. You can see what the forthcoming are here.
Bon Papillion are on facebook and on twitter and also appear on our Edinburgh Cake Trail.
Suitable for disabled? There is one step up into the gallery and ample room to move around once inside.
We have previously reviewed the wonderful Bon Papilion, but returned today on a cold winter’s day to experience their warm hospitality and excellent food.
Owned by Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan, their specialities are divided into Nilsson’s art on the wall and Allan’s framer’s service at the rear of the premises. The couple come together at the food counter serving up home-made soup, savoury tarts and tasty salads to hungry Edinburghers.
Today we plumped for the ‘chèvre chaud’ – a delicious combination of goats cheese toasted on garlic bread accompanied by salad (£5.25) and a ‘hot-smoked’ salmon salad with a large roll (£5.95). Both dishes were of quality equal to be found in a bistro, but then that’s only to be expected since the Stuart is a former chef.
Other savoury choices included savoury tartlets (£6.25), BLT’s (£4.50) and a bacon ciabatta at a bargainous £2.50.
The highlight of a visit to Bon Papillon for us is the freshly made cakes on offer. At a very reasonable £2.10 a slice, we managed to devour a slice of chocolate and beetroot cake and a lime and ginger topped chocolate creation. From past experience, you can’t go wrong with their scones either.
Tea is a very reasonable £1.60 per pot and coffees start at £1.50 for an espresso and a latte will cost you £2.
Everything on the menu is available to take away as well.
We’ve been regular visitors to Bon Papilion since it opened last summer and regularly use it as a working space. The free wi-fi is fast and reliable and there’s such a creative energy in this arty hub, it’s hard to leave. You can take a seat by the window and watch the world walk up Howe Street, or savour your coffee and admire the ever-changing art work on display.
The word has obviously got around town that this place serves wonderful food with a smile, as it was full by the time we moved onto dessert.
Bon Papilion is well worth a visit whatever side of town you live on and we are pleased to award it our ‘highly recommended’ award after providing us with perfect food and service for the last 8 months.
Information
Bon Papillon is situated at 15 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE. Telephone 0131 538 2505
Open every day except Tuesday 9am – 5.30pm (10 am Sunday).
You can have a look at their website and read their blog. You can see what the forthcoming are here.
Bon Papillion are on facebook and on twitter and also appear on our Edinburgh Cake Trail.
Suitable for disabled? There is one step up into the gallery and ample room to move around once inside.
The Spurtle - 'BROUGHTON'S INDEPENDENT STIRRER': Friday, 20 January 2012
BUTTERFLY ON HOWE STREET
On Broughton's westernmost fringe stands Bon Papillon, a venture at 15 Howe Street which Spurtle discovered yesterday and mistakenly thought was new. In fact, it has been up and running since May.
Here in the heart of Edinburgh's fine-art-and-scones quarter, Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan have created a spacious café cum gallery where the walls are lined with attractive contemporary works for sale and the counter creaks under the weight of attractive contemporary edibles.
At the back of the premises lie further gallery space and Nilsson's studio where – in full view of the customers – she creates paintings inspired by experiences in Scotland and further afield, particularly the Far East.
'I have a need to diarise, invent and narrate the stories, imaginings and observations that clamour for attention in my head,' she writes.
'My paintings are essentially autobiographical and usually take a figurative start point. The characters and ideas evolve over time, influenced by travel, study and absorption of images.'
The piece shown below – 'The Summer of Nine' – was one of many which charmed and amused. It is based on a season spent on Arran during which artist and partner worked at a seafood restaurant by Brodick.
To find out more, and to follow a regularly updated blog, visit www.bonpapillon.com. Details of a forthcoming new exhibition will appear in Issue 203.
On Broughton's westernmost fringe stands Bon Papillon, a venture at 15 Howe Street which Spurtle discovered yesterday and mistakenly thought was new. In fact, it has been up and running since May.
Here in the heart of Edinburgh's fine-art-and-scones quarter, Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan have created a spacious café cum gallery where the walls are lined with attractive contemporary works for sale and the counter creaks under the weight of attractive contemporary edibles.
At the back of the premises lie further gallery space and Nilsson's studio where – in full view of the customers – she creates paintings inspired by experiences in Scotland and further afield, particularly the Far East.
'I have a need to diarise, invent and narrate the stories, imaginings and observations that clamour for attention in my head,' she writes.
'My paintings are essentially autobiographical and usually take a figurative start point. The characters and ideas evolve over time, influenced by travel, study and absorption of images.'
The piece shown below – 'The Summer of Nine' – was one of many which charmed and amused. It is based on a season spent on Arran during which artist and partner worked at a seafood restaurant by Brodick.
To find out more, and to follow a regularly updated blog, visit www.bonpapillon.com. Details of a forthcoming new exhibition will appear in Issue 203.
Edinburgh Life: November/December 2011
Bon Papillon is a fairly new gallery-cafe in the heart of Edinburgh's
historic art district.
Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan's aim was to create a gallery space with the relaxed ambiance of a favourite local coffee shop, somewhere that locals and visitors could relax and view the art in an environment not unlike that of their home. As an exhibiting artist herself, Ingrid was able to draw on contacts in the industry from the start, attracting artists to show work. Stuart had 20 years catering experience behind him which was invaluable in setting up a cafe operation from scratch, listening to customers needs and gradually adapting a menu of snacks, soups and cakes all made on the premises.
The day I went in to the gallery on Howe St had been a bit of a headache. I had just received yet another parking ticket and to take my mind off the sorry business wandered in. The staff were busy and the atmosphere felt unfussy and unaffected. The art was appealing and while browsing I found a new artist that will be appearing in Edinburgh Life's next issue. I sat down, ordered a coffee and cake and was blown away by the standard. Beautifully presented, a very well made chocolate and beetroot cake, great coffee and a very reasonable price. I was feeling better already.
Next show: 'Luxe Midwinter' - Paintings by Fiona Wilson and Etchings by Fiona Watson
When: From Sat 26 November
historic art district.
Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan's aim was to create a gallery space with the relaxed ambiance of a favourite local coffee shop, somewhere that locals and visitors could relax and view the art in an environment not unlike that of their home. As an exhibiting artist herself, Ingrid was able to draw on contacts in the industry from the start, attracting artists to show work. Stuart had 20 years catering experience behind him which was invaluable in setting up a cafe operation from scratch, listening to customers needs and gradually adapting a menu of snacks, soups and cakes all made on the premises.
The day I went in to the gallery on Howe St had been a bit of a headache. I had just received yet another parking ticket and to take my mind off the sorry business wandered in. The staff were busy and the atmosphere felt unfussy and unaffected. The art was appealing and while browsing I found a new artist that will be appearing in Edinburgh Life's next issue. I sat down, ordered a coffee and cake and was blown away by the standard. Beautifully presented, a very well made chocolate and beetroot cake, great coffee and a very reasonable price. I was feeling better already.
Next show: 'Luxe Midwinter' - Paintings by Fiona Wilson and Etchings by Fiona Watson
When: From Sat 26 November
Scotland on Sunday: 23rd October with the
Edinburgh Cake Ladies
Published on Tuesday 18 October 2011 15:41
Diets and guilt are left at the door when the Edinburgh Cake Ladies meet to share their heavenly creations and tips for success
Edinburgh Cake Ladies (and man) meet up several times a year, bringing cakes sharing a common theme. Photo: Phil Wilkinson
‘CAKE?” says Gwen. “It’s amazing.” As an article of faith this is simple enough, but is held very dear by the Edinburgh Cake Ladies, a group of women – and, as we shall see, one man – who gather quarterly to gorge themselves on home baking.
On Thursday evening, in Loudons, a cafe and bakery in Fountainbridge, they arrive singly or sometimes in pairs, cake-tins clutched in white-knuckled anticipation, each new arrival deepening the smell of chocolate and sugar. By 7pm, there are 22 cakes laid out on the table, none of them small, it being a rule of the club that only large sliceable cakes are allowed. As one sticky-fingered zealout puts it: “Cupcakes are has-beens.”
It is quite a sight. Chocolate raspberry cheesecake, chocolate and cinnamon cake, chilli chocolate cake, a chocolatey Gateau St Honoré crowned by a circle of choux puffs filled with raspberry cream. And so on. The idea is that there will be no two cakes of the same type, this being a faux-pas akin to wearing the same dress as someone else to a party. A chocolate and Guinness cake is described to me as “death on a plate. It’s got the three bad things in it – butter, sugar and alcohol – so hopefully it’ll taste good.”
Each cake is topped with a little flag bearing the name of the cake and the slogan “Feel the fear and bake it anyway”. At the last minute, a young woman called Leila arrives on a Vespa, bearing a rosewater sponge with pistachios and cream. The table groans under the weight. The Edinburgh Cake Ladies groan with deferred pleasure. Before the cakes can be eaten there is what can only be described as a photo-call. Everyone takes out their phones and iPads and starts snapping away, capturing every millimetre of sparkly frosting with digital zoom. The cakes will soon be gone. Photography commits them to posterity in their state of grace. Everyone’s phone is full of pictures of pastry, megabytes of megabites.
The Edinburgh Cake Ladies is a fairly new group, having formed last year. “Pulverising diets since 2010,” says one member with pride. But it is an idea which has caught on fast, in part because it is so straightforward – bake a cake, bring it along, eat lots – and in part because of social networking. There is a shared Facebook group and most of the women here are on Twitter. They use the site to keep in touch with each other and the wider foodie community, posting photographs of their cakes and sharing tips about baking.
......
Stuart Allan, 50, is the only man among the Edinburgh Cake Ladies. Despite the name, by the way, they do welcome men; and also Glaswegians, whom they regard with compassion and pity as refugees from a city with little talent for cake. They would gladly send Weegie cake lovers back along the M8 with an aid package of Battenberg.
Anyway, back to Stuart. He has brought along a chocolate fruit cake, an incredibly tempting affair covered in glistening cherries, which is going down a treat. “As a man, I don’t really feel out of place,” he says. “All they are interested in is cake. If I was a bit of cake walking around, I’d probably get more interest.”
Find the Edinburgh Cake Ladies on Facebook!
Scotsman.com - Find it : June 2011
MatcheffEdinburgh
548 reviews11 June 2011
I discovered this art gallery/ framers / cafe today simply by walking past - it looks like an art gallery from the front but it says on the window homemade food which sparked my interest and made me feel the need to go inside just to see what it was about. Its a really unpretentious gallery with a cafe at the front which somehow makes it so much less intimidating and so do the friendly staff. They also sell a small selection of ceramics and if you order food or coffee from the front cafe it comes out on lovely ceramic plates and cups which makes it so much more homely and lovelier.
The cake selection is quite small but its all you need really, they had chocolate flourless cake, homemade shortbread, orange cake, lemon drizzle and my choice - date, honey and walnut banana loaf. Not something I would ever, ever choose on a menu, I'm more a chocolate cake girl myself or anything with the word brownie, but I hadn't had lunch so I though, yes why not go for the savoury option. It was one of the best cakes I have ever had - I know huge statement - HUGE statement for someone like me that has been to every cupcake shop within the vicinity of Edinburgh city centre, but its true.. Just the right amount of honey and banana - not too sweet or too savoury and it actually came out with a knife and fork which was brilliant because it was so thick - but in the most perfect way. The coffee was the perfect temperature of hot and it was only around £3.50 for both, good price.
The seating area is lovely and its a great spot to sit if you can secure a window seat at the front, especially on a rainy day like today with the background music they have playing.. They've only been open a couple of weeks and are a great addition to this area as its a good small gallery area but theres not too much in the way of cafes. The art is unusual and beautiful and a really nice idea to combine the two. I will definetly be back for more cake its a calm and relaxing spot to stop off. Love them.
548 reviews11 June 2011
I discovered this art gallery/ framers / cafe today simply by walking past - it looks like an art gallery from the front but it says on the window homemade food which sparked my interest and made me feel the need to go inside just to see what it was about. Its a really unpretentious gallery with a cafe at the front which somehow makes it so much less intimidating and so do the friendly staff. They also sell a small selection of ceramics and if you order food or coffee from the front cafe it comes out on lovely ceramic plates and cups which makes it so much more homely and lovelier.
The cake selection is quite small but its all you need really, they had chocolate flourless cake, homemade shortbread, orange cake, lemon drizzle and my choice - date, honey and walnut banana loaf. Not something I would ever, ever choose on a menu, I'm more a chocolate cake girl myself or anything with the word brownie, but I hadn't had lunch so I though, yes why not go for the savoury option. It was one of the best cakes I have ever had - I know huge statement - HUGE statement for someone like me that has been to every cupcake shop within the vicinity of Edinburgh city centre, but its true.. Just the right amount of honey and banana - not too sweet or too savoury and it actually came out with a knife and fork which was brilliant because it was so thick - but in the most perfect way. The coffee was the perfect temperature of hot and it was only around £3.50 for both, good price.
The seating area is lovely and its a great spot to sit if you can secure a window seat at the front, especially on a rainy day like today with the background music they have playing.. They've only been open a couple of weeks and are a great addition to this area as its a good small gallery area but theres not too much in the way of cafes. The art is unusual and beautiful and a really nice idea to combine the two. I will definetly be back for more cake its a calm and relaxing spot to stop off. Love them.
