London: Tea Time in Wonderland

5 o’clock tea fans will go mad here. This shop is filled with treasures and I cannot help but stopping there each time I visit the Columbia Flower Market. Plates, cups, sugar bowls, teapots, all vintage, arranged by colour or by theme… Although most are mid-century, some have such an elegant and modern touch. Some 70ies patterns too,  square plates, trios, teapots -  Oh, if only you could take it all home with you!

You’ll find the Cakehole at the back -  ideal to have a closer look at those little gems you found. And only here can a whole wall covered with tapestries look normal.

Tea,  Monmouth coffee, cupcakes from the  Primrose Bakery, cakes from Ann Martin on the counter – the apple and blackberry was gorgeous and very tender.  Served on mismatched cups and teapots which still succeed to look good together.

Psssst! If you’re a knitting fan… come every first and third Tuesday of each month – entrance is free and tea-cakes will only be £1-1.50.
Note to parents: obviously not the best address for small kids with so much fragile china around… The buggy will be too big anyway for the small place in the shop.

Vintage Heaven
82 Columbia Road
Bethnal Green
London E2 7QB

L’adresse parfaite pour rencontrer une amie – merci Chloe de me l’avoir fait decouvrir!

Le cafe est un peu cache, il faudra emprunter une ruelle pour acceder a une cour tres agreable, a l’abri de la circulation et du bruit du monde moderne. L’atmosphere y est tres reposante, quelques tables sont installees dehors… L’interieur a un cote rustique et familial, une table d’hote au milieu, des touches boisees, une lumiere douce,  des bouquets de fleurs ca et la, parfois des bols de fruits, on s’y sent a l’aise de suite. Musique de fond,  journaux a disposition… Un melange de clients, costumes entrain de discuter affaires,  copines en train de bavarder, mamans et leur bebe…

Vous pensez prendre just’un cafe, peut-etre une part de gateau, jetez un coup d’oeil a la carte, aux  specialites du jour sur le tableau noir accroche a l’entree… et craquez… cette salade au poulet a l’air tellement appetissante… Et vous ne le regretterez pas. La mienne etait copieuse, delicieuse – cette vinaigrette au jus d’orange, quelle excellente idee! Nous avons egalement teste la celle au steak – moelleuse, viande cuite exactement comme il faut, elle disparaitre bien vite. Et quelle excellent rapport qualite-prix – £8 pour la salade et un cappuccino. Le comptoir est couvert de patisseries, tartelettes, cupcakes, brownies, classic Victorian Sponge… Mmmh. Et si on retournait s’asseoir? Vous by passerez deux heures sans vous en rendre compte.

La carte propose des plats plus copieux – soupes, casseroles… ce qu’on aimerait toujours avoir prets, chez soi. C’est ce cote “Home sweet home” qui seduit la clientele et donne l’envie de revenir, de s’y donner rendez-vous. L’accueil est aussi tout en douceur, sourire,  service discret mais amical.

J&A est ouvert le soir, excellente halte en sortant du boulot! De plus, le Barbican centre est tout pres

Note aux parents: La nourriture est variee et equilibree, les plat copieux, vous y trouverez forcement le bonheur de vos enfants (et le votre). Vous aurez la place de rentrer votre poussette. Ideal si le temps est beau pour laisser les enfants jouer tranquillement dans la cour

J&A Cafe
4 Sutton Lane
Clerkenwell, London
EC1M 5PU
Metro/tube: Barbican
Ferme le dimanche/Closed on Sundays

The perfect place to meet a friend – thanks Chloe for this great tip!

This one is slightly hidden – you’ll have to take a narrow lane to reach a very pleasant courtyard, away from the traffic and from the noises of the main street. Such a soothing atmosphere, a few tables are set outside… The inside has a rustic-family house feeling, a big table in the middle to be shared by complete starngers, a soft light, wooden notes, here and there a bunch of flower, a bowl of fruit – you feel at home here. Musical background, newspapers on the side… A nice mix of customers – some in suit and tie talking business, grilfriends chatting their lunchbreak away,  mums and their babies…

You just wanted to have a coffee, maybe a slice of cake… you look at the menu, at the blackboard showing the specials… and there you are… this chicken salad looks so tempting…! And you will not regret it -mine was a full plate and absolutely delicious, with tender meat. And orange juice in the dressing, how clever and refreshing! We also tried the steak salade – the meat was cooked exactely right and it disappeared form the palte very quickly… What a great price for quality too, £8 for the salad – a meal in itself and a cappucino. Then you reach the counter, have a look a the cakes covering it (strawberry tarts, cupcakes, brownies, Victorian sponge, coffee and walnut…). Mmmh. mayve we could stay a little more? And that’s how you spend 2 hours without noticing it.

The menu also proposes “real” dishes – siups, stews… the kind of comforting food you’d like to always have ready at home. This “home sweet home” side is what makes you want – from the moment you step in – to come back, meet friends here.

J&A are also open in the evening – what a great place to stop and have dinner on the way back home!Even better the Barbican centre is not far…

Note to parents: yep, that’s a great family place. The menu is varied and balanced, you’ll find the perfect dish for the kids (and yours too). There’s enough place to being the pushchair inside.  And the courtyard is perfect on a dry and/or sunny day for the kids to play happily with no risk.

J’aime les thes de toutes sortes et suis toujours a la recherche de surprises.

John Kennedy de TeaSmith m’avait conseille cette adresse, vantant la qualite de leurs thes.

Postcards Tea est une toute petite boutique, tres zen dans les quartiers animes de Londres.

Oubliez le concept de salon de the – vous venez ici deguster une merveilleuse tasse de the… Commencez par les testeurs sur les etageres et laissez-vous enivrez par les parfums. Oolongs, thes blancs, thes epices… N’hesitez-pas a demander conseil, Tim d’Offey (vous le reconnaitrez a sa casquette et a sa gentillesse) saura vous expliquer quel the convient a ce moment d’apres-midi, a vos gouts mais egalement vous etonnera en expliquant que les the blancs se boivent meilleurs tiedes…

Avec les tout petits prix £1.50 a £2 la tasse de the, vous aurez plus de liberte pour tester plusieurs thes a la suite. Je me suis laissee tentee par un Nokcha, un the vert legerement biscuite de Coree dont je reve encore. Que n’en ai-je achete ce jour la!  La gamme propose des classiques mais egalement des choix suprenant comme ce Coffee Blossom tea aux notes de cafe… ou ce Big Smoke Tea, fume sur du bois de cannelier…

Tous les thes sont bien sur a l’achat dans d’adorables sachets design – pour le big smoke tea par exemple, comptez £3.50 pour 50g. Et quelle qualite!

Plus amusant -  pourquoi ne pas poster votre the de la boutique a vos amis? Sachets et boites sont prevus pour voyager et proposent une face carte postale a l’arriere. La boutique appliquera les timbres necessaires selon l’adresse. Jolie surprise au courrier assure! Vous pouvez egalement le faire en ligne.

Laissez-vous tenter egalement par leurs introductions au the, chaque samedi de 10 a 11 heures…

Une adresse a retenir a quelques minutes d’Oxford Street pour oublier les bruits du monde…

Une note aux mamans: tout comme Teasmith, ce n’est pas l’endroit ideal pour apprecier votre the en compagnie de jeunes enfants. Ils seront bienvenus mais c’est un moment a savourer… tranquillement. A preferer seul, en amoureux, entr’amis!

Postcard teas
9 Dering Street
Marylebone, London W1S 1AG
Metro/Tube: Bond st, Oxford St
Du lundi au samedi / Monday to Saturday 10-30 to 18-30
www.postcardteas.com

I love teas – all of them and am constantly looking for a new taste, a surprise.

John Kennedy from TeaSmith had strongly advised this address, insisting on their wonderful teas.

Postcards Tea is a small shop, but oh so zen! You relax as soon as you step in as if the air was different. Forget the idea of a tearoom -  this is about savouring a cup of tea. Start by the testers on the shelves – you can drunk with them, call them perfumes almost. O0longs, whites teas, spiced teas… Don’t hesitate to ask for advice: Tim d’Offey (you’ll recognise him by his beret style hat and his kindness) will guide through the teas, proposing the one that hormonises best with this afternoon moment, your tastes, how best to enjoy a white tea…

With very small price – £1.50 to £2 a cup, it’s even easier to choose a couple of teas and compare.  I was comletely seduced by a Nokcha, a green tea with a light biscuit note from Korea. I was in a hurry and did not buy any – how stupid! I still dream of it. The range proposes classic teas but also surprising ones such as a Coffee Blossom tea… Or a Big Smoke Tea, smotked on cinnamon wood…

All teas are for sale, of course, in adorable trendy packaging. Gor the Big Smoke tea, for example, count £3.50 for 50g. And such a quality!

And such a very nice touch -  you can post tea to your friends from the shop – all boxes and packs are deigned to travel and have a postcard side where you can write your message. The shop will add the stamps needed depending on the address. Such a nice surprise in the mail! You can also arrange it online.

And how not to ne tempted by their introduction to tea each Saturday from 10-11.00?

A great address to remember as it’s only a few streets from Oxford St:  the best place to forget the noise of the world…

Note to parents: as for Teasmith, this is not the best place to have a tea with children. They will be welcome of course, but you will want.. quietness to enjoy this moment. Best to go on your own, with your love or with a friend!

Si York fourmille de salons de the, Betty’s est une institution. Tous les guides vous le recommanderont.

Deux adresses sur York – un grand, qui manque un peu de charme, qui separe restaurant et salon de the. Et Little Betty’s qui a nettement plus de cachet. Devanture a l’ancienne, tres belle vitrine, comptoir

d’un autre temps couvert de thes, gateaux, scones…

Et ces portes, dont le bois a travaille avec les ans…

Au menu, une carte de thes et de cafes interessantes, mais aussi une belle liste de patisseries pour un afternoon tea. Les patisseries sont allechantes. La vaisselle est un peu basique, dommage, on aimerait etre plus dans un esprit so British, tasses a fleurs, et theieres en ceramiques. La vitrine affiche de tres belles creations Emma Bridgewater… mais tout est servie sur de la porceliane blance et des theieres metalliques, dommage.

Et pourtant, le fondateur de Betty’s n’est pas britannique! Un coup d’oeil au site web souligne l’influence anglaise et… suisses (et vous trouverez, effectivement des rostis, par exemple au menu). L’histoire est assez amusante. Frederick Belmont avait dans l’idee de monter son commerce. Il voyage en Europe, arrive a Londres, decide d’aller dans le sud de l’Angleterre. Ne parlant pas bien la langue… il monte dans le mauvais train et atterit a York – le choc! Mais la campagne lui rappelle sa Suisse natale, il tombe amoureux de la region et s’y installe. La boutique fete cette annee ses 90 ans…

Testes au menu le Lemon cake, moelleux a souhait et agreablement acidule. Mais plus original, le fruit cake servi avec du Weynsleydale, un fromage legerement cremeux (le favori de Wallace and Gromit). Surprenant mais delicieux, a tel point qu’on ne sait plus s’il faut deguster le gateau seul, le fromage seul, ou empiler les deux sur sa cuillere!

A essayer egalement le Fat Rascal – un scone confit de cerises, zestes de citrons et amandes…

Une halte agreable, surtout si vous venez de monter les 300 marches de la tour de la cathedrale de York Minster, a une rue de la!

Little Betty’s
46 StonegateYork
Y01 8AS

http://www.bettys.co.uk/

Yorks may have numerous tearooms, but the most famous remains Betty’s – every single guide you will flick through will mention it.

2 addresses in York – a big one which seems to lack charm and is separated in restaurant nd tearoom. The there’s Little Betty’s which looks so much nicer. The windowshop looks so very victorian, and the counter is covered with tea caddies, pastries, scones…

And the doors tell of another era…

On the menu, a nice range of teas and coffees, and a large choice of cakes for an afternoon tea. The patries – presented on a trolley nearby – are mouthwatering. Dishes are a bit basic – I expected something more British, cups with little flowers, ceramic teapot and milk jug…

But the founder of Betty’s actually isn’t British! Reading through the website, I noticed their Franch and… swiss influence (and you will find, for example, rostis on the menu). The stoty is amusing enough. Frederick Belmont wanted

to start his own business. Traveling through Europe, he finally arrives in London, decides to visit the South of England. Not speaking much English, he steps in the wrong train and ends up in… York – what a shock! But the countrysides reminded him of his beloved Switzerland and he stayed under the charm of the region. The shop celebrates this yeat its 90th birthday….

We tested the lemon cake – very moist and tangy. More original, try the fruit cake, served with Weynsleydale, a creamy cheese (Wallace and Gromit’s favourite). Very surprising but delicious and you end up not knowing whether you prefer the cake on its own, the cheese on its own or whether you should pile both on your spoon!

Also – do try the Fat Rascal – a scone with cherries, lemon zest, almonds…

A very pleasant stop, especially if you have just climbed the 300 steps to the top of York Minster – just a street away!

Un petit coin de bonheur a deux pas de Covent Garden: un arc en ciel de cupcakes dans un minuscule salon de the! Un excellent accueil egalement – l’equipe a beaucoup de patience avec les gourmands qui ne savent vraiment plus comment choisir: par couleur, par saveur, par beaute de la decoration? Ou peut-etre une part de ce Victoria Cake? Meme apres 10mn d’attente et avoir eu le temps de reperer… il m’est arrive d’hesiter une fois le temps de la commande venu.

Pas aussi moelleux, peut-etre que ceux de la Hummingbird Bakery, mais le glacage est plus equilibre, les decorations plus variees (et voila comment je me retrouve a visiter les deux boutiques le meme jour) . Celui au cappuccino est divin!

Les cupcakes sont egalement disponibles en version mini (a £1.15 piece) – balayez donc toute culpabilite.

De jolies touches de deco (et quelques etageres de produits, dont du Shinzi Katoh, calfeutrees derriere la caisse)….

…et trois tables malheureusement souvent prises. Quel dommage, a quand une annexe? Prenez donc a emporter et partez les devorer en profitant des animations a Covent Garden.

Notes aux parents: les enfants adoreront. Pas de place pour les poussettes, que vous pouvez laisser plier a l’entree et surveiller sans aucun mal des banquettes si vous vous installez. Comme a la Hummingbird Bakery, il est egalement possible de commander les patisseries a l’avance. As for the Hummingbird Bakery, you can order the cakes in adavnce too.

Primrose Bakery
42 Tavistock Street
London WC2E 7PB
www.primrosebakery.org.uk
(une autre adresse / Another location @ 69 Gloucester avenue)

Just go there for a slice of heaven: this small teashop has a rainbow of cupcakes! An excellent welcome too – the team is so very patient with their sweet-tooth customers who really do not know how to choose: by colour? flavour? beauty of the decoration? Or maybe a slice of this excellent Victoria Cake? After queueing ten minutes, even I have been know to hesitate…

Maybe they’re not as moist as the Hummingbird Bakery ones, but I find the icing more balanced (and this is how I end up visiting both addresses in the same day). Try the cappucino one, aaaaah, splendid!

The cupcakes exist in mini sizes too (£1.15 each) – so forget that guilt issue.

Nice deco touches (and do check out the few shelves hidden behind the till – they sell a little Shinzi Katoh!)…

…and three tables only – what a pity, hope they do have plans to extend! So why not take them away to Covent Garden, just a few steps away, and enjoy them while looking at the etenternaires there…

Note to parents: the kids will love it. Not enough space for pushchairs, but you can leave them folded outside and easily keep an eye on them from your table if there’s one available. As for the Hummingbird Bakery, you can pre-order the cakes for parties, etc…

Mary Poppins used to sing Just a spoonful of sugar… Petra, the Choc Star Van owner certainly replaced sugar with chocolate.

She’s a wonderful, wonderful girl. One day, she decided to switch carreers, bought a Scottish ice-cream van and tadaaa! jumps into adventure land.

She knows and loves chocolate, of course, real chocolate, the one with a great percentage of cocoa. Her rose water truffles are to die for. Her walnut chocolate brownies? I’ll be damned if you only eat one slice. Her hot chocolate? Velvet? try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream… But beware: my daughter stole my brownie whithin seconds after telling me she wasn’t hungry!

Each time I try a different specialty. She also does matesers muffins, chocolate and guinesss ones, milkshakes with a Vaironha dipped cherry…

No shop, but a traveling van – how cool! You’ll find the next meeting point on her website. She’s always at the Slow Food Markets on Southbank.

Don’t hesitate to chat with her – she’s always so bright and happy and always remembers me (the French girl with the chocolate bag!) although she sees hundreds of customers between each meeting. She litterally amazes me. If you come at a quiet time, she’ll always take the time to speak a few minutes with you. You’ll end up smiling just by saying Choc Star Van…

Petra also goes to other festivals around England. Think birthdays, parties, weddings too!

You can follow her adventures on her blog and learn when she’ll be next (she’s also on Facebook!)

http://www.chocstar.co.uk/home.html

http://www.chocstarblog.blogspot.com/

One of my favourite places!

Scrumptious cupcakes in an explosion of colours, twinkled with sweet stars, silver pearls, rainbow decorations… The sugar icing is so soft – obviously your diet will disapprove but who cares when it’s that good?!

You’re not a cupcake fan? Just look on the right side of the till – don’t ven try to resist the absolutely splendid cakes: red velvet, carrot cake, New-York Style cheescake… And huge slices, you will not be able to finish yours…

Think it’s way too girly for the man of your life? Try going there during the week, right after work. I often see gentlemen of all ages, with designer clothes or a suit and tie, chosing a few cakes… I never dared, however, to ask whether those were for them, their children, or just a romantic gesture, a nice change from a red rose…

The Hummingbird Bakery counts 20ish seats inside, maybe 15 outside. However, the address is very well known, the place usually full. you’ll need a little patience, especially as you will not be able to order if you cannot prove you already have a table… Not very easy with a pushchair either, it will be better to fold it before coming in.

But don’t despair – juste ask to take it away: the boxes are lovely, and same advice than for the nearby Snog: just enjoy them in the wildlife garden near the Natural History museum a couple streets away… (even better as the kids will run happily around)

It’s also possible to order the cakes in advance. This is how I tasted the Red Velvet Cake for my daughter’s birthday and believe me, my guests’ tastebuds still remember how good, moist and satifying it was…!

Hummingbird Bakery
47 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington
London
SW7 3JP

2 other branches in Notting Hill and Soho

Je suis une grande buveuse de the. Non que j’ai une grande connaissance, a mon grand regret, mais j’en aime le rituel, les saveurs en palier, les deguster comme on savoure un bon vin d’abord au nez puis en bouche.

A paris, je me regalais a Mariage Freres, a Theodor, a la maison des 3 thes… Des ambiances, des spheres, des qualites differentes.

Je suis arrivee en Grande-Bretagne ravie, avec le stereotype habituel: L’Angleterre, pays du tea-time! Et pourtant, la gamme de the n’est pas extensive. Les salons de the lancent souvent un sachet de the basique dans la theiere. La carte sort rarement des habituels Earl Grey, Afternoon, Darjeeling, Assam. On boit souvent son the dans un mug, presqu’au lance pierre, noye de lait et de sucre, on n’en cherche meme plus la vraie saveur.

Bien sur, reste le tres chic 5 o’clock tea. Un the, des scones, de la confiture de fraise, de la clotted cream. Le high tea s’accompagne egalement de sandwichs joliment presentes et de patisseries. Pour faire encore plus chic, vous irez vers la version au champagne. Un moment toujours agreable, surtout si vous etes installes au soleil sur une terrasse. Mais les thes, les tasses sont de nouveau basiques a moins d’etre dans la capitale et de se l’offrir dans un bel hotel… A Fortnum et Mason, vous aurez meme une theiere en argent et une jolie gamme de the. A prix d’or!

Du coup, je ramene precieusement mes sachets de the de France, Dammann, le Palais des thes, Mariage Frere, Theodor, je les savoure encore plus, je les accompagne d’une belle theiere. Je m’arrete plus, en Angleterre, boire des cafes que des thes.

Et puis, un jour, merveilleurse surprise a en passant a l’arriere du Spittafield Market. Une vraie maison de the. Une gamme et une qualite incroyable. Une sublime collection de tasses design, de theieres dediees a l’infusion, pas uniquement a etre jolie sur une etagere… Un professionalisme hors pair – ecouter John Kennedy parler des thes est fascinant, vous voyagez en meme temps.

La magie commence d’ailleurs des que entrez – quelle zenitude! Des lignes claires, simples. Une tres belle luminosite. Vous oubliez tout, instantanement.

J’y retrouvre l’attention aux details – jusqu’a l’eau utilisee, adoucie pour se rapprocher au mieux de l’eau de source et qui amene au the un veloute incomparable. Mais aussi des tasses, des theieres differentes selon les thes, la danse elegante des mains, mouvements repetes mille fois, un ballet fascinant. Chaque the vous donnera trois infusions, chacune moins forte mais egalement importantes puisqu’elles libereront des saveurs legerement differentes comme un bon vin qui s’oxygenerait.

Des delices sont egalement proposes en accord avec chaque breuvage, fournis par le tres celebre William Curtley. Le temps me pressait, je me suis concentree sur le the mais j’y retournerai sous peu, croyez-moi!

Mieux encore, des initiations, des degustations sont proposees. c’est l’endroit reve!

Bravo a l’equipe qui prend le temps de conseiller et de conter les thes a chaque visiteurs, quel que soit sa connaissance, ou ses gouts habituel (sencha grille ou Tetley fan). On s’y sent chaleureusement accueilli, conseille (y compris d’autres adresses). Et surtout, on en ressort enrichi. En connaissance, bien sur, mais aussi en calme, en joie. Un parcours sans faute.

Parents: si l’endroit est accessible aux enfants, et si ma fille adore tester mes thes… pour mieux savourer le moment, allez y seul ou entr’adultes!

Tea Smith
8 Lamb St
Shoreditch
E1 6EA
www.teasmith.co.uk
Tous les jours / daily 11am-17.30
Thes a partir de / Teas from around £3.50

I’m a great tea drinker. Not that I know so much about it, although I do try. I love the rituals, the different levels of flavours, I love discovering them as oyu would savour a good wine, first with your nose, then let it linger on my taste buds.

When living in Paris, I could spend hours at Mariage Freres, Theodor, la Maison des trois thes… There was such an atmosphere, so many different types to dicover…

Then I arrived in Great-Britain, delighted, believing in the usual stereotype: England, the tea-time country! What a disappointment, The range is not that extensive.Tea shops (and I struggle to find any good ones outside London) often throw a bag in the teapot. The menu will show the habitual Earl Grey, Afternoon, Darjeeling, Assam. You most often drink your tea in a mug, too quickly, still boiling hot, drowned in milk and sugar, you don’t even look for the tea flavour anymore.

Of course, you still have the elegant 5 o’clock tea. A pot of tea, strawberry jam, scones, clotted cream. A high tea will also have lovely sandwiches and pastries. For an even smarter one, go for the champagne version. Always a pleasant moment, especially if you’re sitting outside in the sun. But the teas, the cups remain basic unless you go to a chic place in the capital. At Fortnum and Mason, you’ll even have a silver teapot. At the price of gold!

And so I bring tea back from France, Dammann, le Palais des thes, Mariage Frere, Theodor. I appreciate them even more, I use a beautiful teapot, I let it brew the exact time. I only stop. in England to drink a coffee – it’s much easier to find a good one!

And then one day, a wonderful suprise when walking through Spitafield Market: Tea Smith. The closest to a tea house I had see since Paris. A fantastic range, an incredible quality. A sublime collection of design cups, teaports thought for brewing and not just be nice on a shelf. We’re talking professional here – just lsten to John Kennedy tell you about your teas, you will ltterally travel with him.

And the magic does start as soon as you step in – what a zen place! Clear, simple lines, a wonderful golden natural light. You forget everything else instantly.

Every detail is thought of – even the water used, softened to make it closer to source water and which brings an incomparable velvery feeling to the tea. Bu also cups, teapots different depending on the teas. And the elegant dance of the hands, to brew and serve, movements repeated a thousand times, like a fascinating ballet. Each tea will give you three cups, each lighter but equally important as they will liberate different notes – just like a good wine when oxygened.

Delicacies are also proposed – all thought to strike the right notes with the teas – supplied bu the very famous William Curtley. I was in a hurry and preferred to focus on my tea, but I’ll be back real soon!

Even better, tea masterclasses are proposed -and this is the ideal place to go to!

A huge thank you to the team who always takes the time to advise and tell wonderful stories to every customer whetehr they’re Tetley or sench fans. The welcome is very warm and you will leave enriched: in knowledge, of course, but also in calm and joy. This a 5 star place!

Parents: yes, of course, you can bring your kids there. My 3 year old loves to taste my teas. However, if you really want to appreciate the moment, the quietness of this haven, you’d better come on your own or with other adults!

Une amoureuse du chocolat vous le dira. C’est la l’une des meilleures adresses – que ce soit a Paris ou a Londres – pour le chocolat. truffes, plaquettes, creations… Tout est d’une qualite exceptionnelle et le prix suit en consequence.

Peu le savent mais la boutique de Londres abrite quelques tables dediees aux escapade gourmandes… Le personnel est attentif a vos moindres desirs, present mais discret, souriants, efficace, pret a vous conseiller. Surtout, malgre le luxe des produits, on s’y sent tout a fait a l’aide, meme en arrivant tout humide de pluie et accompagne d’une poussette.

Vous pourriez, bien sur, vous satisfaire d’un chocolat chaud a la noisette de Starbuck’s (un delice en passant).

Mais pour une occasion – un moment festif, un gouter entre fille, une halte romantique – venez ici litteralement savourer l’instant. Cafes et teas  sont accompagnes d’une creation maison destinees a en allier les saveurs. Les thes sont fins -  sachets cristal en passant -  et bien entendu, les chocolats divins: aucun sucre ne vient en alterer les notes, mais l’equilibre est maintenu sans aucune amertume,  juste une onctuosite que je n’avais pas goute depuis des lustres. Un  petit plus pour le verre d’eau servi d’office et qui permet de rafraichir les papilles si l’on choisit une gamme de saveurs.

Nous avions fondu pour une douceur -  un bresilien, fine coque de chocolat, biscuit tres legerement imbibe de rhum, mousse au cafe et caramel, un moelleux incomparable, un mmmmmh a chaque bouchee… Riche en bonheur, ideal a partager en amoureux sans rester sur sa faim.

Cote porte-monnaie? Comptez £3.50 pour un chocolat chaud ou un the, £3.90 pour un dessert. La carte est courte, l’accent mis sur une qualite de produit irreprochable. Finalement, pour un si grand plaisir, c’est peu cher paye par rapport au prix d’un gouter dans une grande chaine…

(et tant qu’a etre la, passez donc chez Fortnum and Mason just’en face. Les boites de the y sont sublimes…!)

La Maison du Chocolat
45-46 Piccadilly
London W1J ODS
Metro/tube: Piccadilly
www.lamaisonduchocolat.co.uk

Any real chocolate will tell you this is one of the best addresses in their books – whether in Paris or London. Truffles, tabs, creations… You can taste it with your eyes closed. We’re talking top quality here (and top prices too, of course).

Very few do know that the London branch does hide a few tables to -  litterally – savour a moment. The staff is fantastic, smiling, welcoming -  they did not blink when we came in with a buggy – are happy to give advice and explanation. There was none of the condescedance i always expect with such a luxury place just a professional but still welcoming touch.

Of course, of course, you could have gone to a Starbuck’s and enjoyed their hazelnut chocolate instead – quit a nice one, by the way. I love to go and walk through London on a cold day with one of those.

But this isn’t exactely festive, isn’t it? Whatever you feel like celebrating, whether it is a chat with a girlfriend, a romantic moment… do come here. Coffees and teas are served with a creation chocolate on the side, designed to bring the best alliance. Teas are refined -  a cristal tea bag. Not greem, I know, but I always have loved the elegant touch of it. Of course, the hot chocolate is out of this world – voluptuous, not sugary which would have spoilt it, not bitter, just a balance that makes you keep it on the tip of your tongue and let it melt forever.

Another nice touch -  the glass of water always served with your order to better alternate between different wonders.

We didn’t resist and tried a Bresilien – very fine chocolat on the outside, coffee and caramel mousse inside, biscuit slightly dipped in rum -  how moist and soft and melting! You will mmmmmmh at each spoonful. It is the perfect desert to share with a lover. itvery rich in happiness and you will not regret even one half of it.

Is it dear? Count £3.50 for a hot chocolate/a tea, £3.90 for a desert. The menu is not extensive, the focus on an exceptional quality instead. Sincerely, for such a great pleasure, it’s worth coming here rather than in a big chain…

(Oh, and while you’re here, why don’t you cross the road and have a look at Tortnum and Mason? Their tea caddies are splendid!)