London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Cake lovers, your attention please. You may have thought you were an expert, knew the sweetest places in town, delicate pastries and fragrant cups of teas. You may even have had a sugary walk per neighbourhood.

This book will get you hunting again. How could you have missed this irresistible cheesecake? And here, a lavender cake? Ooooh, what about those adorable vintage teapots…

A clever guide divided in everyday pleasures, extraodinary afternoon teas with a twist, take away temptations, and well done a section with vegan/allergies places.

Warning: never, ever open without a homemade dessert on the side. The pictures will make your mouth water in no time.

Tea & cake -London, £9.99

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

Just opened today! The boutique is pure Ladurée style, pastel hues, wooden arabesques, very 18th century. The idea of course, is that no matter to which address you stop by for a treat in the world, you will find the same atmosphere.

So what’s new in the macaron empire? Not much -  the menu and cake selection is common to the other tea rooms. The new twist are the terraces – one on the ground floor, another on the first with a great view on the piazza. Inside, choose between the Napoleon-era room (we love it), the other remnding of conversation rooms. Small rooms they may be but what a cute doll house effect!

In the neighbourhood and fancy a treat? Don’t be reasonnable. Order a floral Oolong (they do a violet or a ornage blossom one). Then go decadent and have a rich pistachio-griotte Saint Honoré cake. the textures are wonderfully complex -  airy flavoured chantilly, profiteroles, biscuit base hiding a layer of pistachio cream and a heart of cherry compote. Scones will have to wait!

The shop opens till 23.00 Monday-Saturdays, 22.30 on Sundays. Why not go for a post-theatre-macaron?

Ladurée
Covent Garden piazza
London

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

Two years of London addresses and tips. Get on board, we’re going for another ride!
Fancy having a cup of tea with us? You could win this one:

Just leave us a message. let us know what kind of articles you like on Teatime in Wonderland and which kind you would like covered in the future (more foodie ones? pubs? fashion?). We’ll draw a lucky winner on May 08th.

Tea strainer from Caravan (£12.50), ring by Louise Buchan (£20)

Paper napkin and plate by Talking Tables (£4 and £4.50)

Trio found at Drink, Shop & Do, 1950ies glass at Vintage Heaven

Beware, royal wedding in view! Match your clothes to the Union Jack colours, get the bunting out… or escape it all.

Whatever the mood, why not celebrate the long week-end with a Pimm’s royal? Add some champagne and a few mint leaves – a froggie twist to the British summer must…

Cheers, my dears!

* Get some unique vintage accessories at this market.

* What will you do on the big day? How about a street party – Battersea or Shoreditch? I’m hesitating between the pub with a Victorian twist, the secret tearoom party or playing croquet in my wedding attire… Don’t miss the V&A late evening – Lily Vanilli is baking them a royal cake, chocolate, bucks fizz, spices, grapefuit…

* Or just add a pinch of madness. Jump into your royal suit, get on a bike and go treasure hunting.

* Go for an anti-royal afternoon tea: punk-rock inspired with quiches à la Fergie.

* It’s official -  Westminster will be filled with thousands of flowers, a chic must but also… 8 20 feet-high trees. Those displays will remain in place until May 06 – the most wonderful way to discover the abbey.

* Fed up with beer? Try the best of British cider at this festival.

* Get a piece of Buckingham Palace. Bompas & Parr have just launched their new jelly mould for it at Selfridges.

* Be amazed by a procession of illuminated narrowboats.

* Sip a Vietnamese coffee.

* Wake up your tastebuds with wonderful Persian cuisine.

* Movie fan? Head for the East End Festival. Some movies will be projected in a Masonic temple.

* Bikes can be amazing tools. Take yours to a movie and make it musical.

Just mention Ladurée et eyes will sparkle.

So Parisian chic, isn’t it?  The name is synonym of elegant afternoon treats even in London with two amazing boutiques, one in Harrod’s, another in Piccadilly. Macarons are all the trend, and their limited edition boxes make them jewel like.

Being a sweet tooth is the best quality you could wish for and you are never too close to a rose religieuse or a Ispahan cake. And so Ladurée will be opening in Covent Garden in May. Can’t wait. Inspired by an individual house, the new location will convey an 18th century atmosphere and play with luxury and cocoon touches. Pastel hues, marble, mahogany will add to the refinement.

The ground floor will present the delicacies in a mirrored bookcase, colours reflecting endlessly for a cheerful effect…

The first floor will propose four different atmospheres: romantic, atist studio with trompe l’oeil engravings, invitation to travel and a welcoming wooden bar:

The opening times are most friendly for macaron-holics as the boutique will open till 23.00 Mondays to Saturdays  and till 22.30 on Sundays. No way you can miss your sugar fix!

The exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, work is being finalised on site, but it is only a question of weeks. You can bet the place will be full from the very first day.

And if you’re coming to London for work but have no time for shopping, rejoyce: a desert carosse will alos open soon at Heathrow.

Laduree website

The bus stopped almost in from of this discreet house in the heart of Hackney. The neighbourhood is pretty quiet -  local shops, colourful and international labels all around, kids playing football. The building does not look like much from the outside, a bit cameleon like, it would be easy to overlook it. Above the entrance, black letters on white background, very concert announcement from the 70ies, mark the way.

Amazing what you can find behind closed doors. This used to be a Chinese take-away – it did take quite a vision to give the place a soul back. Javvy and Freyda decided to use those layers of wall paper, those forgotten ceramic tiles, those rainbows of superposed paint. Now the walls tell their history though the scales of colours, old-fashioned textures create an atmosphere suspended in time and the wooden floor dances and sings under high heels.

Upstairs, visitors butterfly in the Dalston Rose rool. All in white & blue, it reminds me of Italian blue china form Spode and delicate drawings on Burleigh plates… A navy blue line is sprayed from the ground level on walls, curtains, quilt… then fades away in intricate motifs. Sofas were inspired by Victorian models for their round shapes inviting confidences around a cup of tea.

On the second floor, iit is quite another world. The theme revolves around fascinating animals – one is smoking from his narguile, an oppossum and a squirrel are organising a concert… Everything seems possible, suspens is in the air, present and past meet exactely as you would expect it in a David Lynch movie…

Each range proposes a wide choice – wall paper, fabric, lamps, china, mirrors, sofas… You suddenly feel like being absorbed, adopted by this background, like belonging to it. Forget Through the looking glass, choose Through the House of Hackney instead.

In the basement, the delicious Lily Vanilli is spreading her magic. Sip your tea in a vintage cup and am-stram-gram what you will bite in first: hand painted Dark chocolate Pistachio Eclairs, Spelt Shortbread dusted with Lapsang Souchong Tea Infused Sugar, Courvoisier and Cardamom Carrot Cake with Toasted Pecans and Passionfruit, mini-fruit tarts with a passionfruit twist, moist champagne and apple donuts?

Take the opportunity to get your future told in the most poetic way… or try to read it in tea leaves… and gasp watching the fruit salad of death act!

House of Hackney pop-up – treats by Lily Vanilli

76 Stoke Newington Road
London N16 7XB
Until April 03, 2011  13.00-17.00

Claire looks straight out of a fairy tale. Cute as a doll, lovely pink cheeks, sparkling eyes, warming smile…

Since childhood, she has been passionate abour baking cakes and finally decides to turn this into a living. She joins Cordon Bleu them a pâtisserie in Notting Hill then jumps into the sweetest of adventures – in December, La Dinette opens its website and the kitchen springs into action. Just stroll through her delicious menus of English and French inspired deserts, click, order, collect or get it delivered. So easy! Curious as I am, though, I just ould not resist meeting her and tasting her creations… Luckily, she was present today at the Wonder High Hill Market.

Besides her a table that looks ideal for Alice in Wonderland’s non-birthday party: savoury cakes with sundried tomato, goat’s cheese… hazelnut tart… carrot cake… pyramids of macarons… poetic cupakes… Everything is so very cute your heart just melts. Slices are already cut and before you know it, your hand is already moving towards one. I fall for her Guinness and chocolate cake – unusual in tea rooms but exquisite, a perfect texture, a light but gorgeous icing made of crème fraiche, cream cheese and icing sugar. This, my friends, is my latest comfort food, part of my survival kit. I still regret not having bought the whole cake. My husband, less of a sweet tooth, is particularly enjoying one of the salted cakes. I leave with a whole assortment  for a picnic the following day. Yummy treats at such a reasonable price, that can even be delivered to me? In my always-in-a-rush life, that is a real gem.

Let yourself be tempted by these few pictures -  trust me, as delicious as they look!

La Dinette
Follow her events on her Facebook page

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?