London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Know what I like best in London? The cheerful touch of crazyness, the freedom to be creative, different.
Example -  this guy who decided one day to commute by canoe-kayak. Fabulous. I have been searching for an equivalent since (as there is no canal on my way to the office).
Meanwhile, here is a cocktail of plans to enjoy the so British city this week-end:

* David Lynch fan? Twin Peaks is back, just for one night this Thursday.

* Free ice-cream at Dri Dri on Friday. Come on, you can’t say no to this.

* Stop at the Scoop – free theatre on Friday and this week-end.

* Calling all chocaholics – check out those yummy walks!

* Wake up the sumo in you -  it is all for a good cause.

* Get your ticket for Taste of London – quite expensive but you will not be able to resist the menus for long.

* Pretend you’re in Tokyo and have a karaoke party. This hotel dedicates rooms with cocktails and outfits.

* Musicals take over Trafalgar.

* Black Peper? Lavander? Marmite? Paul A Young just opened his new Soho shop.

* Smile with this dog show. Lookalike competition: which 4-pawed-cutie will look the closest to Queen Victorias’ dog? Which other will be the best Victorian fashioned?

* Find happiness (and/or a good bargain) at Wimbledon’s car boot sale, the best around according to Time Out.

* Tea in a park? Yes, call it med-tea-tation.

* 10 ideas for Southbank.

* Party time on Marylebone: farmers’ market, foodie stalls, animations, salsa, concerts… Café Luc will be there too, serving mussels in a saffron sauce. Oh, and their fab cocktails too, of course.

* Ignore cinema chains. Independant ones have so much more charm.

* What if it rains? Have a virtual walk.

Pssst:
* On June 20th, sing a little opera.
* On June 21, meet Tracey Emin at Selfridges: she will be opening a pop-up concept store there.

This Tea House, nestled in a quiet street of Notting Hill, remains my favourite peace haven. At each visits leaves me fascinated by Pei who will recount tales of Oolong and amazing recipes. What is simmering water to us would be the kettle’s song to him…

It is the only place I know serving Ba Bao 8 Treasures tea. To prepare this gorgeous concontion, stop at his counter, filled with glass jars of dried flowers and fruit. You can invent your own recipe – his is made of goji berries, Logan ones, red dates, chrysanthemum, jasmine, rose bud, candied melon and sencha.

An extraordinary floral mix which can infuse for hours without getting any bitterness. The flavours evolve constantly, with one ingredient taking over another. Such a rich taste, easy to sip on all day, you will never tire of it. Softer than a tea, it will also seduce children.

Another little joy: both flowers and fruits, once infused are really lovely to eat…

Teanamu
14A St Lukes Rd
Next to 1 Lancaster rd
London W11 1DP

Life is full of simple joys. One of mine is reading a poem on the tube, you know those published between two ads? It’s always soothing finding one, like a little gift. I never have enough time to write them down but I found out the underground website actually lists them.

Another blog brought a smile – the authors post pictures of strangers (only guys) met on their commuting journey, add a few lines, guess their thoughts, their story. Hey, maybe you’re one of them, check it out!

Oh, if you think you’re the chap of the year, click this way.

* It’s shopping time on Carnaby Street this Thursday with 20% off.

* Love gardening? Tomato plants will be given for free on Trafalgar on Friday.

* Love is what you want, says Tracey Emin – a comforting thought.

* Find your favourite food vans at the Rye Pub – from the Choc Star to the Meat Wagon.

* The Andipa Gallery brings the language of flowers to an art.

* Nude Espresso just opened on Soho Square but forget the coffee. What you want to try is their Lamington cake, an Australian treat made of sponge cake in a layer of chocolate and coconut. Just don’t count the calories.

* Love acrobatics, martial arts, parkour? Rush or jump to the Udderbelly this week-end.

* Fortnum & Mason celebrate refined crafts.

* Tango and afternoon teas -  just jump in those dancing shoes and grab a few scones…

* Med-tea-tation with Teanamu at Holland Park -  a zen moment in a marvellous garden.

* Nothing is free in life, they say. Well wait: join those ecclectic workshops to learn a few skills for free: car mechanics, burlesque dancing, self defence…

Strolling through the Real Food Festival, we put some of those on our shopping list:

* The Seriously Italian Company ‘s pestos – richly flavoured and organic products made in London. We just could not resist the walnut and pistachios ones. use them on pasta, as chutneys…

* Those creole soda breads from The Global Fusion are just exquisite – pure happiness at each bite and as beautiful as delicious. How to choose between apple crumble, apple-plum-oats, carrot-cherry, mango? We ended up taking a nice selection back. Bonus point, they’re vegan!

* The rose limonade by Fentiman, for its amazing taste of Turkish delight.

* Doukan‘s Moroccan dishes which tell stories of other lands, other spices. Their exotic chutneys will make you feel like cooking a tajine straight away : aubergine, orange blossom-fig, tomato-cinnamon, lemon-coriander… Visit the restaurant for even more treats.

* The clever alliances by Café On : each macaroon is flavoured (champagne, black pepper, tomato, sakura…) and can be matched to the cheese of your choice, quite a gourmer sandwich. Fennel and goat’s cheese is quite something!

* Sloe Motion‘s elegant gins, vodkas, whiskies: a fabulous sweet drink to finish a meal or add to a cocktail. Very addictive, though. Quite a nice gift for father’s day.

* La Cave  Fromage‘s savoury cheese macaroons. Surprising poetic bites, each flavous keeping its personnality: pear-roquefort, raspberry-parmesan, blueberry-brie, hazelnut-goat’s cheese.

* La Fromagerie‘s new range of crackers, particularly the caraway ones who work marvelously with the nutty cheese as gouda.

* We fell in love with Womersley‘s floral and fruity vinegars: blackcurrant-rosemary, lemon-basil-juniper, lemon-black pepper-lavender… Just in time for summer salads, a wonderful gift for all gourmets.

* The Oreo-green tea sponge cake by My Sweet Tooth Factory -  they never last long no matter how huge the slice is! This year, no doubt, I will order my birthday cake from them.

* British tea – no kidding! This one grows in Cornwall and brings quite a nice brew. Tregothnan also proposes eucalyptus, manuka, nettle infusions.

Being a froggie, I have always marvelled at the British first advice when anything goes wrong: Let me fix you a cuppa, dear…

When you think about it, it is a judicious one: the toutine of it takes your mind off things. Prepare the cup, listen to the kettle sing, concentrate on the first sip, let the real world fade back for a moment. Even quickly done, with basic tea, too much milk or sugar, these simple gestures offer a welcome transition.

In Asia, tea is more a philosophy. One focuses on brewing the best cup possible, with precise gestures, a zen instant. By thinking carefully about this choregraphy, the flavours, the aromas, you kind of escape. in other words -  a mini-meditation or as it is called at Teanamu, a med-tea-tation.

I have been drinking tea for more than 15 years. I used to butterfly from one to another, loyal to all and none in particular – it was a generic love. From Europeanised black teas (very heavily flavoured but often chemicaly so… it pays to read the composition label!), I fell in love with more fluid, more Asian tastes: a jade green matcha, a floral Oolong. I have stopped adding sugar, milk or lemon as they hode the lovely notes. I learnt to sip smaller cups to better let myself be absorbed by it.

And yet, my knowledge is full of gaps. I know… that the leaves come form a Camellia. That there are green, blue, yellow, white, red (not to be confused with rooiboos from an African bush) ones. That the water purity can transcend the drink, as does the preciseness of the brewing time. That it is no use putting huge amounts in a teapot. Dozens of little details in the drawers of my memories.

Seeing I was curious, Pei thought I would love one of his tea masterclasses. I felt a bit shy on arrival – feeling I knew so very little. But Pei is a gentleman and he tells tea stories as other fascinating novels, opens doors to a thousand worlds, has funny, historical, sweet anecdotes in store. It fells more like a walk in Asia than a workshop.

I had always imagined the different tea coming from camellias varieties. It is in fact in the preparation of the leaves, in their oxydation that the secret hides. I learnt about the various flavours: spiring like, earthy, grilled associated with each big name but also to think about the texture. I discovered how to pick the tender leaves without damaging them. I fell in love wit the clay teapots that absorb the fragrances. I had no idea you could eat tea leaves, nor how to listen tot the simmer of hot water to get the perfect temperature. I marvelled at the Wuyi Shuixian Ooling, which torrefied notes make it very close to an espresso and could really convince a coffee drinker. I found Pu ehrs, who can mature as good wines do and are kept in pancake or pumpking shapes. The difference of colour between a young and older one is impressive.

While listening to our teamaster, we nibbled on white tea-rose or oolong cakes, macaroons filled with yuzy cream… We laughed, we dreamt, tastes a wide range of types and three very poetic hours went by. By understanding each step of the travel these little leaves go through, you focus more on the different levels of aromas and flavours – same goes when you take wine tasting lessons and learn about the ageing or grape varieties. The experience would be equally interesting for other gourmets, yes even non-tea fans. The workshop is very rich in cultural and tradition details and the teas much more interesting than the ones we would normally have in a basic tearoom. Pei does also underline that each tea has its qualitues and that well brewed, with pure water, even a PG tip can prove interesting.

I left feeling… enriched. A few days after I took my own teapot to work, selected a tea that seemed to match the program of the day, this way making it much sweeter.
And as many treats also are home prepared at teanamu, I have just signed down for his Cooking with tea workshop. Pei has a few more suprises coming our way… meanwhile, why not listen to his interview?

Teanamu
14A St Lukes Rd
Next to 1 Lancaster rd
London W11 1DP
£45/tea masterclass

I’m French. That alone defines my love for good food, my curiousity to try new tastes, to discuss a wine for hours.
The Real Food Festival opens its doors this week-end so you can imagine how impatient I am. 400 deli stalls and so many treats to discover! I’m licking my lips in anticipation.
My friends from Café On and their macarons, The Sweet Tooth Factory and their rainbow of cheesecakes,  Supercherry and their Italian sweet wines (more about this next week!) will be there too.

What about you? Gourmet or adventurous week-end?

* How gothic – there will be a projection of Frankenstein in the Anatomy Museum on Thursday.

* Your credit card will be smoking – 20% off evening at Seven Dials.

* Tune to another kind of music and listen to a ukuleles concert.

* It’s drive-ins season again, my friend!

* What? you haven’t invaded rooftops yet?

* A chewing gum exhibition? Yes, daaarling, that’s art.

* Tea or coffee, that is the question at this festival on Southbank. The Sweet Tooth Factory will be there too with a whole range of spongecakes, including a rooibos and a chocolate-rose one.

* A new craft café is opening up -  you can learn to sew or embroider before enjoying a piece of homemade cake.

* Love that theme? Go and see the craft event at the Saatchi Gallery.

* Visit artist studios.

* Happy birthday to Coca-Cola – get a free drink at Selfridges on Sunday.

* Enjoy a view on the canal in Hackney.

* Brixton’s windmill reopens - lovely outing.

* Be on your way to Brick Lane’s festival. Spices all around! We particularly love Sheba there.

Sunny days bring back my love for Bubble teas, a Taiwanese drink with tapioca pearls.

Ain’t I lucky -  there’s a new place in Soho!

The deco is inspired by chemist labs – scientific signs on bottles, white coats, equations on blackboards, test tubes and boiling liquids.
On the menu, a handful of bubble teas (tea + tapioca pearls) and bubble drinks (juice +  pearls). The drinks are quite convincing, nicely exotic. Coconut and kumkwat are worth stopping for -  you’ll have them finished in 5mn max. The balls are quite pleasant too, nice texture (nothing work than a rubber-like one).

Did you know you can drink those hot, ask for less sugar or more ice? Just tell the team! Bubbleology reacted quickly to comments left on their Facebook and Twitter page to improve – clapping deserved, so many places use social media because they have to but never follow up.

You can also personnalise your crumpets and muffins: spread (jam, Marmite, creem cheese, peanut butter…) and toppings (sweets, M&Ms, walnuts, banana…). Bonus points, they serve Monmouth coffee, one of the best in town.

Verdict: more modern atmosphere than the ones in Chinatown, which fits with the Soho buzz. My heart still goes for the Candy Café: larger choice quieter, more authentic. On a thirsty day, I will stop at the first one on my way. Especially as they will propose end of may onwards bobas filled with mango, litchee or passion fruit juice. A lovely option which explodes in the mouth – quite looking forward to that, I must say!

Bubbleology
49 Rupert St
London, W1D 7PF
Two sizes: 500ml (£2.95) or 700ml (£3.35)

A beautiful spring day: not a cloud in view, cherry tree blossoms fallong in a poetic rain, euphotia in the streets, T-shirts and summer tops, ice crem cones, open windows everywhere. The market people are putting their stalls away and Notting Hill is cliaming its village atmosphere back.

A to Z in hand, we stroll through the neighbourhood, a detour this way, a look a shop here, a amile at a very kitsch detail there. A look at the address – we are on our way to a tea house, which should be a blue and white two storey house, with a tree in its cobbled yard… It inducates it is neither the corner building, nor the number 14 and should be close to number one. A few hesitations, a shy look through a window but yes, we knock at the right door.

I have often hear that tea helps you forget the noises of the world and it is so true here. As if the world outside gradually faded away as you step further in the homey room. The wooden furniture has been imported from China and chosen for having had a life, a history (or, as Axelle put it perfectly, a soul). One of those is callous on each side as it was often carried on horseback and therefore polished by the shape of the animal… Every detail isnpires refinement and elegance.

I used to visit tea houses in Paris – I relise today how much I have missed those. Nothing is more soothing than the preparation ritual. Each style of tea will have a different teapot. Hot water is then poured into each recipient to warm them up (those little details make all the difference to a perfect tea), dose and dmire the leaves, add water, infuse, add the remaining liquid on the top of the clay: when it dries out, enjoy sips of your tiny delicate cup… No need to be an expert -  Pei will kindly explain it all with elegant gestures.

Now savour as you would a good wine – first the nose, then the tastebuds, giving time to open in steps… I had chosen the deep steamed sencha, velvety, a light jade colour, with mango aromas. Axelle had preferred the Honey Orchid Phoenix, a complexe Oolong which sweetness takes you by surprise, evoking orange blossom and vanilla. I just love those clear, authentic tastes so far away from teabags, often chemically fragranced.

The menu proposes a delicate afternoon tea which marries savoury notes such as those homemade noodles, hightened with just a little chilli, picklend bamboo shoots, cucumber slices and a rich peanut based sauce…

…as well as sweet treat: white tea and rose madeleines, tangy clementine almond cakes, flower shaped matcha shortbreads – as fragrant as they are cute. Yes, there is scone as well, lovely light texture served with clotted cream and the most exquisite rose petal comfit, mad with just a little crunchy sugar: to-die-for.

A last sweet before we leave, those surprising truffles, chocolate with a toffee melting heart that makes you mmmmh in happiness…

Pei discreetly takes care of everyone and takes the time to share his passion. I cannot thank him enough for his patience as I clicked and clicked my camera and for proposing extra light if needed…

One of those rare addresses, away from the tourist route where you can unwind totally, breathe again and re-energize.

Afternoon tea – £9, including a tea, a savoury choice and 3 sweet ones.

Teanamu opens at week-ends only for the moment and also offers cooking with tea and tea-tasting workshops – have a look at the website!
Coach house
14A St Lukes Rd
Next to 1 Lancaster rd
London W11 1DP

Remember – The adventurists were proposing an Afternoon tea with a legend.

Going there, notebook and camera in hand, I never expected so many people would attend -  the room was entirely full!

The Round Chapel offers a lovely atmosphere and everyone wanders around admiring the architectural details…

…then settles to enjoy a cup of tea. Quite a nice and refined choice: a Superior Keemun (also called the champagne of black teas), a birthday blend (rooiboos, vanilla beans, bergamot) and an amazing Pu-er, a Tuo Cha. On the side are slices of a moist and melting toffee apple cake.

Sipping on their tea, people start chatting with their neighbours, talking of past and coming travels, pointing destinations of the maps at hand. Fascinating anecdotes and experiences fly around, groups intertwine when a familiar exotic name is mentioned.

Tom Morgan steps on the stage to explain what the Adventurists is all about: different kind of rallies for a different kind of people. Mogolia, horse riding, rickshaw driving through the Himalaya, mototaxi through South America… The pictures are gobsmacking too, makes you feel very small. And those people, in extraordinary situations, having to play McGuyver in the middle of nowhere, have little experience. They have passion, adventure is in their heart and blood, they are fully conscious of the dangers involved but still they want to see what is out there. Check out this band of friends’ project to join The Mongol Rally this summer! Each team agrees to raise funds to help one of the charities (such as Frank Waters) supported by the Adventurists.

Then appears Sir Chay Blyth. I had only read articles about him. What a guy! He completely charmed the room with its countless anecdotes, his funny view on events, his death defying stories. He faced challenges with a stupefying sense of humour, from storms to sharks. He is, literally, a living legend. Navigation is a not a field I am familiar with and never did I expect to find an hour much too short. That is probably one of the magic touches of these special afternoon teas: a life story, a personnal contact, not just another conference.

It is now time for festivities. Sir Chay Blyth is applauded again and again. He stays around, shakes hands, chats with the public. The rest of us face a dilemma: on the left, teas, sandwiches, cakes including a gorgeous chai apple and almond as well as an unusual beetroot one. On the right, a reconstructions of the Hendrick’s carriage of curiosities. Serving perfectly dosed G&Ts… How to resist ths rose infused gin?

All those treats with a musical background by Uneven Steven and the Jazz Fools… A Gramophone DJ!

Starts a zig-zag –tea-cake-cocktail-stops to chat on the way with perfect strangers. A very relaxed and social atmosphere indeed! And the perfect finishing touch: elegant acrobaties by No Fit State Circus – looking up to the stars…

I left thinking about the exotic destinations and journeys I had heard about. I started dreaming about making a little adventure of my own… Inspiring.

Look out for news and future afternoon teas on The Adventurist’s website
Why not come to Hendrick’s romantic event at Covent Garden, Feb 10-14?

Dreams are made of adventures and fascinating dangers.

But rather than read novels or stories in the paper, come and listen to one of those legends: Sir Chay Blyth, no less.

This famous Scottish seaman decided to cross the Pacific in 1966 with Captain John Ridgeway. Rowing. With no previous experience. Wow. In 1968, he joins the sunday Times Golden Globe, getting on a yacht for the very first time… Hats off -  you really need to have a vision and a damn good instinct to survive such a journey! He has been defying the ocean ever since, victory upom victory until launching his own British Steel Challenge in 1989, a race around the world meant for ordinary people but with a professional approach.

The adventurists and Hendrick’s propose an afternoon tea around this exciting meeting. Tea from around the world, homemade cakes, rose infused gin, served by a delicously excentric butler. What a clever mix!

The acrobatic company No fit state will also join and charm us all.

To book your ticket, have a look at The adventurists’ site -  what a passionate team!
£12/person, real-life stories by Sir Chay Blyth, afternoon tea and cocktails all included. Quite a bargain.
Saturday Feb. 05th, 16.00
Round Chapel
1d Glenarm rd
London E5 0PU