I consider myself properly lucky – I genuinely adore my mother-in-law. And I’m fairly certain the feeling’s mutual. Not simply because I turn up armed with cake at every conceivable celebration (and quite a few non-celebrations too), not just birthdays.
It’s not about defying the tired “monster-in-law” trope you see wheeled out in films. I’ve watched perfectly decent families wobble under the strain of in-law politics, so I don’t take it for granted. I properly, wholeheartedly like mine. She’s warm, curious, up for anything – and always ready for a bit of sparkle.
For her birthday this year we had grand plans to whisk her off to Kerala. I’ve been banging on about the backwaters and coconut curries for years. Life, however, had other ideas. So instead, we booked a table in Mayfair at the gloriously theatrical Bombay Bustle. Not quite the Arabian Sea, but blimey – it’s a feast in its own right.
The interiors are styled like a vintage train carriage – but think Orient Express decadence, not commuter chaos. Polished brass, plush banquettes, the sort of setting that makes even a Tuesday feel celebratory. X-ray behaved impeccably through starters (mini dosas and keema pau that vanished at alarming speed), then predictably unravelled during mains, prompting a parental relay race around Regent Street.
After a few brisk laps and a timely nod-off, I slipped back in just as the moment arrived. Her face when the cake appeared? Worth every step. We’d arranged her own customised Oreo Softie – swapped out with Nutella for that extra indulgent flourish. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a cake that feels entirely personal. That’s the joy of going bespoke – shaping flavour, finish and feeling so it lands exactly right. (If you’re dreaming up something similar, have a little wander through our bespoke cakes page – it’s where the magic begins.)
Indian food in London has had a proper glow-up over the past few years, and Bombay Bustle is part of that renaissance – bold, regional, unapologetically vibrant. If you’re planning a celebration in that corner of town, we do regularly deliver to the area (you can peek at our Mayfair cake delivery page for the details). And yes, most lovely restaurants are perfectly happy to present your cake if you ask nicely.
Here’s to mothers-in-law who say yes to new adventures, to train-carriage dining rooms in Mayfair, and to cakes that make a table fall silent for a split second before the cheering begins.
Lots of love,
Reshmi xoxo
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