The French Tarte - Surbiton

The French Tarte is one of those special little places where you know the food and service will always be top notch. And I want to tell the whole world about it!

I'd often walk past and with my nose pressed up to the window mutter to myself why I've not made it in for tea and cake. So when the opportunity came up for afternoon tea I wasn't shy at expressing my glee. The table was booked for 3pm when we arrived we were greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread and a warm welcome by Lena, the manager. I melted at the sight of our table laid out with Royal Albert china, Arthur Crupp cutlery and a hand written note saying 'reserved' - I knew then that this was going to be a great experience - I love that feeling of anticipation.

Walking through the small deli into the cafe decorated simply but elegantly with BTC wall lights and pastel coloured walls. Marble topped tables and bent wood chairs - this is a slice of France in Surbiton

First up - the tea. Earl Grey of course, from the London Tea Company. It came in the pot (loose leaf) along with individual tea strainers. This is seriously good tea.

Next came the main event; the cakes, patisseries and sandwiches. The mouth sized sandwiches were enough the kick start the salivation - Christmas Sandwich filled with moist turkey, bacon and real cranberries. Brie, chutney and tomato 'burger' - the chutney is homemade and just the right side of picante and the last savoury was the crayfish belini (very fresh). Quickly, we wolfed these delightful morsels down because we wanted to get to the hand made coconut and raspberry marshmallow - pillowy chewy fun, coconut roche, passion fruit mini tarts (the pastry was thin - good, crumbly and buttery) tasting of actual fresh passion fruit, pistachio eclairs (with pistachio green decoration - very tantalising on the eyes and tongue!), chocolate mousse (white and milk) with a surprising brownie base - scrumptious, Christmas peacan pie - mini and marvelous, carrot and walnut cake - moist fruity heaven, mini 'cornetto' filled with chocolate ganache and sprinkled with raspberry bits.

We were full and we were happy - but that wasn't the end of it. After another pot of reviving tea we had the homemade freshly baked scones, two each (plain and fruit) along with strawberry jam and clotted cream. I had to admit defeat and requested to take mine home - this was not problem at all.

All this for £14.50 it is great value without devaluing integrity and creativity. The service is second to none.

We agreed that this is probably in the top 3 places we had visited and came out above some of the well established high end hotels in central London. We loved our time spent that afternoon so much we went again the following day for a morning coffee (and darn good that was too). The French Tarte - you are truly spoiling us!

Cake Hole - Cafe at Vintage Heaven (Columbia Road)

This lovely cafe had been tantalising me for a good few months, every time I walked past I'd have to crane my neck to catch a glimpse inside as I was always in a rush to get somewhere else. So, after a thoroughly enjoyable Saturday morning learning the art of pastry at Lily Vanilli's Bakery (see previous post) I had the chance to go in and get a good eyeful and mouthful. Joining me was the lovely Ms T. We made our way through the shop Vintage Heaven careful not to bash into anything trotted down a few steps into the cafe at the back. We were greeted by the enthusiastic owners who were keen to see the spoils of our morning at the bakery. To say we were made to feel very welcome is an understatement - it was a real pleasure chatting away asking questions about the real fruit teas and homemade cakes - I had a very big (as in high) Victoria Sponge, the butter cream and jam ratio was spot on and a pot of the usual Earl Grey. Ms T had the Plum Sponge which was really moist and fruity plum plum and a pot of Palais Royal Fruit Tea which had bits of real fruit and hibiscus flower and, unusually for a fruit tea, it tasted as it smelled - fruity!

The way the cafe is decorated is a mixture of kitch and design that invoked childhood memories of my Nan's house in Brighton circa 1976. It was a pleasure sitting there knowing I was an adult and remembering myself as a child. Ms T and I had a great time chatting away. I loved this place and will go back again to sample something savoury and probably washed down with the fruity tea.

Bob Bob Ricard (Soho)

Just a quickie for now for Bob Bob Ricard.

Mr B and I popped in on the off chance for a coffee and something a bit stronger. Very glad we did. As we walked off the busy Soho street into BBR we were welcomed by friendly staff. The first thing that struck us was the decor...just like being in first class on the Orient Express but with a twist. We were ushered to the bar area where we could see the whole room being worked by efficient staff.

We ordered two coffees and a 12 year old Macallan and sat back to enjoy the peace and quiet and to watch the food being served to the diners, especially the Beef Wellington. The coffee was good but the whiskey was better, we were served by a great bar tender who was really enthusiastic and knew his drinks. We got chatting with him and the restaurant manager Jeremiah, it was really refreshing to meet staff and management who were genuinely happy to see us and to answer our questions. We found out why Bob Bob Ricard was called Bob Bob Ricard, who the owners are, how many covers, how many rooms, opening times we were also invited to see the downstairs bar and more but alas another afternoon tea review was beckoning us over in Mayfair.

Before we left Jeremiah gave us the BBR afternoon tea menu and it looks great...Mr B and I are most definitely going back again. Who can resist some of these tempting examples from the menu; English Rose Profiterole / Battenburg / Raspberry & Custard Tart / Scones with homemade jam and clotted cream / a finger sandwich selection made with tantalising breads and a selection of teas to make you weep /AND an option of home made pink lemonade or the best champers ever - Pol Roger (if it's good enough for Winston Churchill, it's good enough for Teasemaid)....afternoon tea review coming soon x

The Bingham (Richmond)

Love that Bingham. Mr B and I took afternoon tea in the cocktail lounge on a lazy Sunday. As soon as we walked in and were shown to our delightful table we were seduced by the grand dame that is The Bingham. Our table was set between two huge french windows, a gentle breeze was wafting in and billowing the sheer voiles...it was very romantic, enchanting and dare I say it sexy?

We ordered a glass of Demoiselle Vranken Champagne and soaked up the atmosphere of the indulgent cocktail bar. The carpet was deep and soft, the chairs we were sitting in were white leather that enveloped you in comfort and ease. The room was bathed in diffused light with hints of greys, silver and white. The chandelier hung in the centre of the room effortlessly stylish and the ceiling was covered in silver gilt echoing the huge mirrors mounted onto every wall.

Tea came (EGT from Jing for me and Mr B ordred rose bud). As one would expect the crockery was specially made for The Bingham. When the food arrived it was a real sense of occassion - a lot of thought had been put into it.  The snadwiches were deleicate morsels of cucumber,  salmon, egg and ham. The second tier was host to the tastiest mini scones, shortbread and banana bread and the top tier was home to strawberry macarons, mini lemon meringue, fruit tart and the richest carrot cake ever to have been made. The whole experience was a delight. The service from the staff was impeccable. Even when the power went down!

The Bingham is a boutique hotel nesting by the Thames near Richmond Bridge. The building itself harks back to the Georgian times, you can just imagine the parties that were had! There is a real sense of decadence and style. next time we visit I think Mr B has plans on staying for few nights xx

The Riverfront (BFI Southbank)

Just a quickie for this place. We popped by early one Sunday morning, it was nice to be able to sit somewhere where the decor had been lifted straight out of Elle Decoration. Lots of comfy sofas, designer and reclaimed chairs and tables. There is also a piano and an old Hammond organ if you fancy a tinkle on the old ivories. The pastries are artfully displayed on top of old bottle crates which you help yourself to (that's the pastries not the crates). Order drinks at the long bar, we had the usual French pastries and a very lemony drizzle cake all washed down with copious large coffee and tea (it was early!). We both agreed that this is a good place to go to at anytime of the day, before or after watching the films or for popping in for a tipple.