Disappearing Teashops: This one's for MALU (Restaurants in London in general)

Member Name: jammaker49

Product:	Restaurants in London in general
Date:	01/08/02 (2865 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pleasant surroundings to take tea.

Disadvantages: There aren't enough of them!

This op evolved as a result of MALU asking if I knew of any nice Teashops which could be found in the centre of London, other than those found in the big hotels. I spent ages searching the web, and could come up with very few. There seem to be plenty in seaside towns, like Bournemouth and Brighton, and in big cities like York and Bath, but woefully few in the capital itself. Even though I am close to London, I was totally unaware of this situation until I searched for them.

It is a shame that the wholesome backbone of London’s refreshments infrastructure seems to be geared solely to fast finance, that being either the nasty non-phenomenon that is fast food, or the only general alternative that is expensive food. Neither option is a guarantee of health, nourishment or even pleasant surroundings. One is lucky to find an establishment that doesn’t exist mainly for mass catering profits.

But it wasn’t always like that. Before the onslaught of burger chains and coffee shops, London was lined with reliable retailers of edible exquisites. There were many a classy, quiet places where one could get a nice afternoon tea, served in proper china cups and saucers, accompanied by an assortment of finger foods. Nowadays, it only seems to be possible to “take tea” in the traditional sense, in one of the more upmarket hotels in the centre of London. Whatever happened to the traditional Teahouse?

In the late 19th century the concept of Teahouses grew around Britain, and this allowed for a rather polite and sedate atmosphere where it was possible to enjoy a pleasant tea, or indeed a light lunch. The market was literally cornered by Lyons Corner Houses, and later, by the ABC insignia of the Aerated Bread Co Cafes.

During the last century this trend developed to incorporate the occasional Pie & Mash shop, or even the Italian style transport cafes that sprang up everywhere in the fifties. Even those greasy spoons were


more of a rewarding choice than today’s burnt offering burger joints. The result was, that Londoners had many a place to grab their food without being over charged or over poisoned. Even the Railway Stations, now ruined by eateries looking like Motorway Service Canteens, used to have exceptionally nice venues for basic sustenance, and, like in the movie 'Brief Encounter' would be a much happier environment to relax and manage your social life.

Nowadays, I yearn for the return of those great days, and look around me at the awfulness on offer. Burger bars abound on every corner. “Grab a sandwich” shops exist in every shopping mall, or indeed, in every shopping street in the capital. Coffee shop chains have sprung up all over the place. Sure, one CAN buy tea there, but it isn’t the same as the old fashioned teashop.

It is true that there is a healthy bargain to be had if one can find it, and it’s also the case that some of those greasy spoon cafes do still exist, if you can find them. But generally, it's best to go home for a meal rather than go with the rubbish provided. In the centre of London, to find a genuine teahouse, serving afternoon tea in the traditional sense of the word, is nigh on impossible.

One of the greatest turnarounds in the field of “dining out” is of course, the rise of the curry house. Our friends from the Asian lands have filled London with some fantastic culinary experiences, and these, especially in the vegetarian range, can be a reasonable replacement for some of those diners of olde. Unfortunately, they do not make up for the loss of the wonderful London tearooms and cafes, and that fact I shall mourn indefinitely.

And why are fast food outlets so ugly? Everything seems to be rush, rush, rush. Whatever happened to knives and forks, comfortable seats and plates? Whatever happened to tea made in pots, not simply a bag dunked in a mug? Am I t
he on
ly on
e who still enjoys tea from a china cup and saucer? Are toasted crumpets a thing of the past? Will they cease making the essential ingredient of a waitress’s uniform, that classic little white apron?

TEA SHOPS I DID MANAGE TO LOCATE

I searched high and low for the locations of tea Houses in Central London, which were not situated in the big hotels. Copernic, Google, Jeeves, even the Yellow Pages were utilized in order to try and establish some reasonable sort of list. I’m afraid the list is woefully small, emphasising the unfortunate demise of the London Tea Shop.

Café Valerie

Located in the Piazza at Covent Garden.

Address: 8 Russell St, Covent Garden, WC2 Telephone: 020 7240 0064
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 7.30am-11pm; Sun 9am-6pm
Disabled facilities:
Web: www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

The Orangery

You can enjoy afternoon tea in the grounds of Kensington Palace. A very popular place with tourists, you may need to be prepared to queue for your table. Several menus are available, from a simple pot of tea and scone, to the full works.

Address: Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8
Telephone: 020 7938 1406
Opening times: Mar - Oct, Mon-Sun, 10am-6pm
Disabled facilities:
Wheelchair access;
disabled toilets

Kandy Tea Room [Tea room]

4 Holland Street, London W8;
01-71-937-3001

A small tea room, boasting just 5 tables. It can be found near Kensington High Street. Tea and scones a speciality

Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 6pm.

The Muffin Man [Tea room and merchant]

12 Wright's Lane, London W8;
0270-937-6652

Just around the corner from Kensington Station. Various menus available, including a full, traditional tea. The Muffin Man also sells its own brand of tea.

Café Flo [Tea room]

127-129 Kensington
Church Street, London W8; 020-7727-8142

Enjoy fruit scones with clotted cream, toasted crumpets or teacakes.

The Courtyard

Easily found in the Churchyard close to Trafalgar Square. Popular with those attending the Market.

St-Martin-in-the-Fields Church, London WC2
Open: Mon to Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Noon-5pm

I also managed to find some other addresses of tearooms in Central London, but have no other information on these.

Kamakura Minamoto [Tea room]
44 Piccadilly, London W1

Café de Paris [Tea room]
3 Coventry Street, London W1;
0270-734-7700

Afron's Tea Room [Tea room]
1068 Hyde Park Road, London; 641-6293

If anybody can add to my list, please drop me a line and let me know of any other proper Teashops that can be found in the city of London. It would be great to be able to add more addresses to my painfully short list.

MY CONCLUSIONS

As you can see, there seems to be a pitiful lack of traditional Tea Houses
in the centre of Lo
ndon. Yes, you can go to the big Hotels, and yes, the large stores like Harrods, and Fortnum and Masons also have their own tearooms. But where have all the little corner houses gone?

It really doesn’t make sense to me. How many of us truly enjoy a cup of so-called tea out of polystyrene or cardboard? When we have been shopping, or are about to go to the theatre, what better way to relax than over a nice, traditional Afternoon Tea, in a nice, traditional Tea Shop? The big hotels are fine for a special occasion, but one doesn't necessarily want to take tea there after a busy day's shopping. A small, reasonably priced, fine teashop would suffice.

When we visit other towns and cities, there always seem to be plenty of teashops, offering afternoon teas at reasonable prices, in pleasant surroundings. So why not in London?

In my humble opinion, London is the poorer for the loss
of these facilities.

BRING BACK OUR TEA HOUSES!

*********************************************

LATER ADDITIONS TO THE LIST

Basil Street Hotel [Tea room]

8 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, London SW3;
Tel: 020-7581-3311

Choose between Afternoon, or Cream tea
Tea served daily between 3.30 and 5.30pm



Thomas Goode
19 S. Audley Street, London W1;
0270-499-2823

Selfridges
400 Oxford Street, London W1

Harrod's
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1; 0270-730-1234

Fortnum & Mason
181 Picadilly, London W1; 0270-734-8040

County Hall Hotel
Daily 3pm-6pm
£19.00 per person,
£25 with glass of champagne
Afternoon tea

Le Meridien Waldorf
Served in the Aldwych Brasserie

Daily 3pm-5:30pm
£14.95 per person,
£18.95 with glass of champagne


The Howard
Daily 2pm-6pm
£18.50 per person
Your choice of tea


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03/08/02 FURTHER UPDATE

I have aquired two books giving very comprehensive details of where to take tea all over Britain. If anyone wants details of any area, drop me a line by email, stating which area, and I'll do my best to get back to you.

But alas, no further places have come to light in Central London, although I do have a few on the outskirts.

********************************************** **

16/10/02 FURTHER FURTHER UPDATE

Le Rucheau Tea shop and Bar
Piccadilly
London

Situated almost next door to Fortnum and Mason. Serves traditional afternoon tea as well as a selection of e
ggy things, and some meals.

Amanda and I had a full traditional tea (finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, a slice of fruit cake and a chocolate pattiserie, with a pot of tea) plus a cream tea (4 scones with jam and cream and a
pot of tea.) Total cost, £20.50

Food was fine for a reasonably priced afternoon tea, but service left a bit to be desired. But it IS central, and the ambiance was pleasant enough.

Lesley

Summary: