Move over, cronuts, eclairs, there’s something new must-try dessert in town. Longboys is dreamed up by Graham Hornigold, and Heather Kaniuk, past pastry chefs with experience from the notable Hakkasan, Mandarin Oriental, and Shangri-La. Longboys are gourmet finger doughnuts made in small batches daily at a North London bakery.
Their first residency was located at Boxpark Wembley, opening up a second base at Coal Drops yard Kings Cross in August this year. It happened to be September when I visited Longboys, the eatouthelpout Government scheme kicked in. A way to encourage people to dine out at restaurants and help the hospitality industry get back on its feet. Up to 50% off on food or non-alcoholic drinks every Monday to Wednesday. Discount is automatically applied without any vouchers.
Located at the lower stable at Coal Drops Yard, selling Assembly coffee and gourmet crafted doughnuts. Longboys makes brioche-based doughnuts hand-rolled daily into a long finger. Fillings, toppings, jams, compotes, are made fresh in-house. Ten flavours are on display for sale at £3.90 a pop, a box of 3 for £11.50 and 6 for £22. There are 10 tempting choices to try them all and monthly specials. With the #eatouthelpout discount, the doughnut cost £1.95.
In the end, I picked up a Raspberry Rose Lychee Longboy and sat outside the seating area. The long finger doughnut in a cardboard box reminds me more of éclair or hotdog. The lighter brioche dough holds up the delicious fillings, a thick creamy vanilla custard, hidden raspberry jam, fresh raspberry, lychee fruit, and dried rose petals.
Longboys doughnut is not your typical round-shaped doughnut piped with jam or fillings. Their mission is to not making over the top sugary fillings and they nailed the perfect balance of flavours, light doughnut bread.
119 Lower Stable Street Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, London N1C 4DR
For more information see Longboys website.