Tate Britain Café
I entered the gallery from Atterbury Street, which is interesting as you can still see damage to the side of the Tate’s wall from WW2 bombing raids.
I was also excited to find David Tremlett’s Drawing for Free Thinking on the staircase – having first seen his work back in July while enjoying green tea at Fernandez and Wells splendid rooms in Somerset House.
The Manton Café is a light-filled space at the rear of the Duveen Gallery. Large windows, Continue reading
There are branches of Whittard dotted around the West End which I confess, I rarely visit, assuming they mainly sold souvenir tea.
Also, I once looked at a teapot on their website, and it followed me around for days – a bit annoying.
The Piazza at Covent Garden is another place I tend not to venture, so avoiding the fire-eaters and Continue reading
National Dining Rooms
National Gallery
Originally housed at Mr Angerstein’s home at 100 Pall Mall, it was considered an embarrassment when compared with other national collections – particularly the Louvre in Paris.
Not wanting the French to get one over on us, Trafalgar Square was chosen as the site of a new building which opened in 1838*.
The National Gallery now has over 2300 paintings. It is without doubt one of the finest galleries on the planet, containing some of the highlights of western art Continue reading
Notes Music & Coffee
St Martin’s Lane
Except this case, I know why – I have tried to visit for tea a few times, but it’s always full.
This time I was with a friend, and even though it was busy, we managed to find seats at the back on long shared oak tables.
The space is pleasant with high ceilings and large arched mirrors, which make it feel larger than it is.
The tea is excellent. I had a green oolong, but was also impressed with Continue reading
IKEA Edmonton
With the bank holiday coming up, you may be doing some home improvements, so this bit of info could save you from a lot of stress.
Trips to IKEA usually start well, but can soon become disorienting. After finding Continue reading
Beijing Tong Ren Tang
At number 124 is Beijing Tong Ren Tang. I have gazed at the orange and gold facade many times from the excellent watch-the-world-go-by-window of the cafe of Curzon cinema on the opposite side of the street.
It never really occurred to me to think what they sold, Continue reading
Little Georgia
As a tea lover and cricket fan, it is fantastic to discover I am living yards away from the site of an 18th century tea-garden, and the original site of Lord’s cricket ground; so I thought it worth a mention.
Rob Smith from Footprints of London kindly took the time to write: Continue reading
Tinderbox
It’s easy to miss, but the entrance is just past the floating ‘halo’, that looks like a crown of thorns. Go up the stairs at the back of the take-away coffee booth.
The first floor opens into a long, boxy space with lots of different Continue reading
Le Comptoir Libanais
Soho
Broadwick Street is close to Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Oxford Street but tucked away off the beaten track so a good place to know to get away from the crowds.
This time I was looking forward to trying the fresh mint tea. Served in a traditional silver teapot and a pretty glass, it was perfect with my honey-sweetened pastries.
The same silver teapots, brightly coloured baskets and exotic Continue reading
The Tea House
Covent Garden
Black lacquer window frames form a grid on four levels – each square containing a display of teapots, cups and tea. Vermilion lettering enhances the oriental feel.
The shop has been on the same spot in Neal Street since 1982. It is good to see an independent still trading amongst the larger stores.
What I like best about The Tea House is their range of unusual Continue reading
Tibits
Heddon Street
For a reasonably priced, healthy lunch, dinner or to take tea, I really like Tibits, the Swiss-owned vegetarian restaurant on Heddon Street.
I enjoyed a delicious plate of fresh salads, bursting with colour and flavours; a welcome antidote to the holiday choc-fest.
Of the all the places to eat on Heddon St., Tibits is the most relaxed, with a take away as well as sit down service. The decor is clean and fresh, with blond wood and bold patterned Continue reading
St Pancras
Booking Office
Betjeman vividly described St Pancras as:
“…that cluster of towers and pinnacles seen from Pentonville Hill…outlined against a foggy sunset…the great arc of Barlow’s train shed gaping to devour incoming engines, and the sudden burst of exuberant Gothic of the hotel seen from gloomy Judd Street.”
Today, a statue of Betjeman by Martin Jennings stands on the upper Continue reading
Roast + Conch
Peer in the window, and the source of the smell, a metallic contraption, is roasting cocoa beans in preparation for making chocolate.
Inside, the shelves are laden with chocolate; slabs, blocks and truffles, all manner of shapes and flavours.
Descend the wrought-iron spiral staircase to Roast + Conch where the beans are ‘conched‘ to make small batches of chocolate. Continue reading
and Revels
This spicy masala chai is easy to prepare. It will clear your head, and give you a lovely warm glow.
Based on this recipe from Anjum Anand; I didn’t have all the spices, so used the following:
6 peppercorns
10 cardamom pods
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Small piece cinnamon stick
5 or 6 cloves
Black tea
Milk (optional) Continue reading