Meteor (Ia, Santorini)

P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

The pictures do not do this tiny cafe any justice at all, but I did my best. Another cobbled climb in the search of liquid refreshment in Santorini for TeaseMaid. The coffee, the view, the jazz playing, the free wifi and the decor were out of this world. I actually felt like I was in a dream and none of it was real (or it could have been the mild dehydration playing havoc with my brain) or that there was divine intervention from the greek gods. If you are ever in Ia (Oia) go (except in the evening when the sun sets as everyone and his dog are there)

Franco's (Pyrgos, Santorini)

TeaseMaid clambered up the many cobbled steps to reach this place one fine evening just before sunset. We made the final steps breathless and hot to be instantly revived by the view and rather loud opera. We took our seats outside of the 'sheltered area' to be greeted by the warm Mediterranean winds, the view of Santorini and the sun setting on a perfect day. The food and drink here has elements of Moorish and Italian flavours. The coffee is spiced with clove and is served in small brass pots. The tea is infused with Venetian flavours such as fresh cardamom pods. 

At first the opera was getting to me a bit, but it all made sense as the sun was setting and the changing colours enveloped the island and its inhabitants, this was not a time for words and idle chit chat. The music did all the enchanting and the tea and coffee were the perfect accompaniment.

The Erawan Tea Room (Bangkok)

Warning overuse of alliteration in this review - sorry! It is a time honoured tradition for TeaseMaid to visit The Erawan Tea Rooms in Thailand - we go there every year after we have prayed and made offerings at the Erawan Shrine located just below the tea room. As we enter the tea room we are aware that we probably smell like a pair of hippies who have overdosed on joss sticks but it's something which can't be avoided, the shrine is the main reason for the visit. The tea room over looks the shrine so you can watch Bangkok come and go offering wai's as it bustles by whilst sipping tea and luxuriating under the aircon. All types of tea is served here (loose leaf of course) I opt for Darjeeling and a nibble of something savoury such as spicy pork served in lettuce or shrimp cakes. Mr B will always have a psychadelic  bowl of a traditional thai dessert called lod thong ruam mit: strands of bean paste in warm coconut cream with chunks of ice beans and waterchestnuts. Tea is served in silver pots and food on plates which resemble lotus leaves.

The room is often visited by expats and well to do Thai ladies that lunch. The style is colonial with a 50's twist. The floor is darkest teak shined to perfection, black and white photographs adorn the walls and wooden  shutters hang on the windows.

If you ever are in Bangkok take a special trip here, oh, and drop in by the shrine it's an assult on all the senses (in a nice way)