London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Another excellent address if you’re visiting the  Columbia Flower Market.

You must know me by now. Mention cupcakes and I’m rushing there.

What is it with those little cakes that seduce people? When you think about it, the recipe is quite basic. is it the icing? The colours? The decoration? They immediately make you think of a summer fete, children laughing, bunting, birthday candles… You can picture them coming out of the oven… children’s hands decorating them with sweets ou the baker transforming them into works of art…

Yes, they have the  flavour of childhood. They’re fun and so comforting in a evre busy and grey modernn world. They force you to stop and enjoy the moment.  They’re eaten in a few mouthfuls, the soft icing first, then the cake… My daughter like to turn them round, eat the sugar last. I prefere to dip them into a latte, the icing melting even further… and take them around the town for a sudden picnic!

Treacle has an irrisitible recipe: its home sweet home side. Wooden floor, wooden furniture, yesteryear feeling, drawers filled with minicupcakes… the impression of stepping into a fairy tale grandmother’s kitchen. Everything seems left naturally, but must have been very well thought. Simplicity is the most complex to achieve.  Soft hues, vintage products and always this feeling of a countryside house in the 5oies… As underline the BBC live magazine,  it holds an enyd Blyton touch.

The shop’s only open on Sundays for the flower market and is quickly crowded. Start with them, or the cakes will be soon gone! A simple but delicious range: jewel minicupcakes (vanilla, chocolate or lemon zest – same for the icing), a few layers cakes 9count £28-35 – 12 portions. Cales and cupcakes can be decorated as you wish on demand) including…

- chocolate with a vanilla heart, with chocolate on top!

- lemon layers with lemon cream and icing. And fresh raspberries on top…

- two layers of vanilla cake, strawberry jam, vanilla icing and strawberries on top…

(I could eat one right now…)

… and tea, of course: only one, Builder’s tea. Strong, not too sweet, perfect after such a sugary taste. Beware if you ever as for a coffee!

By the way, have you noticed? Cafes are always a bit serious. The colours, the newspapers on the side, the cups. A tearoom is always more fun – bubbly, summer shades, happy… Maybe linked to the sterotype coffee for business – tea with girlfriends?

The staff is great – they always have a nice word, a smile. Oh, and have a look at the posters… such as this version of the now famous Keep Calm and Carry on… My new motto: eat cake and carry on!

Treacle really is my cup of tea.. . Such a pity you can’t sit and have a bit of gossip over a slice (or two, or three) of cake!

Note to parents: the shop is often crowded. Leave the kids to play at the square down the road with their dad and bring back a box of cupcakes. Success guaranteed!

Treacle
110-112 Columbia Rd
London, E2 7RG

Only on Sundays!

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