Cutter and Squidge - Soho, London - Genie's Cave afternoon tea

As any friend, regular reader or casual viewer of any of my social media will know, I love Disney and when I discovered this gorgeous Genie’s Cave themed afternoon tea on Instagram I had to look it up and book a space ASAP!

I’ve loved Disney since I was very young and one of my earliest memories of it is Aladdin. With an amazing cast of characters from the sassy Iago to strong-willed Jasmine and, of course, Robin Williams stunning performance as the genie, this film is beautiful and a staple of my generations childhood. Walking into Cutter and Squidge’s downstairs room is just like entering the cave of wonders itself, passing a pile of gold and treasures topped with a chest of coins and glittering magic lamp, following the magic carpets on the floor into the cave complete with sparkling ‘stone’ walls dotted with coins and gemstones and multicolored stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the ceiling and lining the floor.

We were shown to our table and our waitress said something immediately and very fast about prosecco. I said yes, thinking it was an extra (or possibly even free!) but no, I was wrong. Saying yes to a glass of bubbly before we’ve even finished sitting down instantly upgraded us to the more expensive bubbly afternoon tea which we hadn’t intended on buying and didn’t really want. That was why it was a surprise when we had looked at the menu and went to order, only to be told we already had by accident. It was lovely all the same and who doesn’t love a glass of bubbles?

The starting dish is probably my favorite of the tea, ‘A Genie’s Welcome’ a glass layered with yoghurt, pomegranate, raspberry and pashmak which we are told is a Persian sweet just like candyfloss. The glass is topped with a large merengue and an eager waitress tells us that we have to free the genie by removing the merengue and make a wish (or three?). As a lover of Disney and magic this makes me so happy! My lovely loose-leaf tea comes in a golden magic lamp of its own but more focus has been given to its look than how well it works as a teapot and how much tea it holds (though it is gorgeous), I had to hold the teapot almost horizontal for ages to get just one cup!

When the main tea comes it is spread beautifully over a three tiered golden cake stand and looks gorgeous. On a separate dish are the sandwiches, I love the mint cream cheese and cucumber and my brother likes the coronation chicken but neither of us are sure about the cheese and tomato jam… but its certainly worth a try! Also on this little tray are two tiny courgette ‘rose tarts’, these are warm and delicious and I could eat a whole plate of them!

The bottom layer of the cake stand holds the feta and roasted pepper scones, which I wasn’t sure about when I read it in the menu but they taste more like warm tarts and are perfect, warm and crumbly. This layer also holds the ‘golden cheese clouds’ small, light puffs of pastry and some dips. I have to say, I‘m not a fan of cheese puffs and these are particularly cheesy but my brother says they’re lovely!

On to the next layer and the sweets, the sweet pastry cases full of raspberry and rose filling topped with crushed pistachio ‘emeralds’ are very sweet and tasty, the macaroons decorated with a coco dust lamp are full of peanut butter and a hidden ‘raspberry gem’ centre, lovely, and the one (not two, like all the other stands around… I had to, sorry) sugar cookie shaped like magic carpet is a little almondy but delicious all the same!

“The final tier holds the sweetest treats” should be a common phrase we all use (can we make that happen? Too long for a hashtag?) because it’s usually true, especially in the case of the last two treats in front of me. The small squares of three-layer vanilla cake have two different strawberry fillings between each layer, an orange glaze and are topped with a strawberry jelly ‘ruby’ which is “abu’s favorite” (says the menu, talking, of course, about Aladdin’s monkey sidekick who stole a ruby in the Disney film). Last but by no means least is Cutter and Squidge’s famous ‘biskie’ a mix of chocolate cake and biscuit, creating a moist, dense cake in the shape of an oyster with a special pearl, unique to this afternoon tea, filled with a ginger cream. All the flavors are a bit strong but still really delicious.

As always I really appreciate the attention to detail and all the references to not only the Disney film but also to Persian culture. I’m just glad I didn’t have to hop a magic carpet and dodge lava fountains to get out! The room is stunning and you can really tell that a lot of hard work went into both the decorating and the delicious food! I can’t wait for their next themed tea entitled ‘The Potions Room’, which promises a chance to meet the ‘potions master’ and create some concoctions of your own. Check out their website below for more details.

Instagram: @CutterandSquidge

Twitter: @cutter_squidge

Facebook: @cutterandsquidge

Website: cutterandsquidge.com

Address: 20 Brewer St, Soho, London, W1F 0SJ

Alice and the Hatter - Herne Bay

After finding this amazing-looking Alice in Wonderland themed café online I decided I had to check it out and soon! Unfortunately the first time I tried to get here the trains were so messed up, I had to turn around a couple of stations away in order to br back for work that evening. This time, however, I started my journey from (the much closer) Canterbury, where I was visiting friends and even then I had to take a train and a bus!

It’s a real shame that the outside of the shop is currently covered in scaffolding but you can still see the Red Queen red shop front and the windows decorated with decals that make it look like the whole place is surrounded by hip-high rose bushes covered in red and white roses. Going through the door I immediately come face-to-face with a life-size card soldier just like the ones in the animated Disney film, off to the left is a larger than life-size Alice (maybe because of one of the giant mushrooms that are wallpapered across some of the walls?) complete with her famous  blue dress and black hair bow. In fact the whole café is an Alice in Wonderland dream, from the giant butterflies on the faux-grass walls to the stools shaped like oversized teacups. Alice and the hatter turns afternoon tea into a fully immersive experience, complete with the soundtrack to the Disney animated film in the background (that I couldn’t help but hum along to in my seat).

I went for ‘The Jabberwock’, a scone of my choice and a tea from their list of teas. Though they were out of my first choice of the traditional fruit scone they suggested the lemon and poppy seed, which was delicious and went perfectly with the Alice and the Hatter branded strawberry jam. The tea, a Debonair Tea Co breakfast brew served in a beautiful tea cup covered in a design of strawberry plants, was lovely too, the only thing I will say here is that there wasn’t much water in the incredibly light teapot and I feel like I missed out on some tea! I love that its loose leaf though and I can’t blame the poor staff, all dressed in t-shirts with the cafés logo on the front, who are rushed off their feet and turning people away at the door because of how popular the café is, yet still managing to be friendly and helpful despite the rush.

There is so much detail crammed in the place, really giving the feel of being in a topsy-turvy alternate world. I almost missed the clock shaped like a teapot next to me and the large dodo figure at the back, tucked in the corner. If you visit, make sure to take a good look around and check out the ceiling which has quotes written across the beams. Across from me, in the centre of the room on a table headed by a pink and purple throne, a birthday party is having a special afternoon tea with cakes decorated with flowers, ‘drink me’ bottles full of green liquid (which I am desperate to try!) and teapots and cups decorated with the illustrations from the original book.

My favorite thing though, of course, is the table of Alice in Wonderland cakes including two large beautifully decorated ones, one covered in playing cards showing those famous original drawings and a realistic teacup, overflowing with tea. The other is in the shape of Alice’s trademark blue skirt and white apron, topped with a crowned heart and surrounded by white roses half painted red. It doesn’t end there though because there is more on the counter, where a case of delicious cupcakes sit, decorated with Alice in Wonderland imagery such as mushrooms, the hatters hat, the queens jam tarts and more!

I love a themed café or tearoom and though Alice and the Hatter isn’t exactly what I expected from the website, the amazing theming throughout and delicious food and tea mean I’ll be back again and again! After my train troubles last time I tried to get here and braving the journey here today, its funny and fantastic to discover that a branch of this amazing tearoom opened in Canterbury yesterday. I walked past it on my way home and it look lovely, I’ll definitely be visiting it on my next trip!

Instagram: @aliceandthehatterhernebay

Twitter: @and_hatter

Facebook: /AliceandtheHatterHerneBay

Website: aliceandthehatter.co.uk

Address: 24 William Street, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5EQ

Fortnum and Mason - Piccadilly - London

I’ve been wanting to come to Fortnum and Mason’s for quite a while and like everything you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, I had really built it up in my head. Luckily the beautiful ‘Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon’ lives up to the hype. Walking into the tea room you can immediately feel the sense of reverence with which afternoon tea is held here, as the blurb in the menu says, “tea at Fortnums is our most delicious tradition” and “whether our elegant tea salon is your home from home or you are joining us for the first time, tea at Fortnums is always a special occasion” And is treated as such.

When you walk from the staircase onto the four floor of this beautiful building, the first thing you are greeted with is a staff member behind a desk, ready to greet you  and take you to a table, behind them sits a pianist at a grand piano filling the two tearooms, one to either side, with lovely music. The tearooms are truly elegant, decorated in a beautiful Edwardian style in greens and creams, no doubt connected to the Fortnum and Mason colours ‘eau de nil’ green, white and gold, as displayed on the beautiful crockery used and sold throughout the building. All the staff are dressed in extremely smart white shirts and waistcoats complete with cravats, just adding to the elegant formal style of the room. The whole thing makes you feel rather special for being here at all.

After being shown to our seats by our extremely friendly waitress and choosing the vegetarian afternoon tea from the list of delicious looking teas sadly it took quite a while for anything to get to us. The Vegetarian Afternoon Tea, when it arrived, was a beautifully laid out triple-layer stand full of crustless wholemeal bread sandwiches (a surprising number of who’s complicated contents included pesto…) gorgeous warm fruit and plain scones and an array of desserts decorated with flowers. The tea also came with a second, smaller stand of three unopened jars of jam, strawberry, raspberry and blueberry.

Everything was delicious, especially the scones, which were so lovely we ordered a few more when asked. We had to wait a while for them (and our drinks) to arrive though, so long, in fact that the waitress came over with a worried look on her face and asked if we’d had them yet. After going off to track them down… they arrived at our table and when our waitress returned… she brought more! Though we couldn’t eat twelve scones, no matter how tasty, luckily, along with what was left of the jam (yes, the whole jars, even the one we didn’t open) and a slice of cake of our choice each from the cake table, we were given the rest to take home with us in a lovely box and bag.

A lovely time in this truly elegant tearoom with delicious food and great drinks, the only one thing that bothered me was that when we attempted to order one (rather expensive) tea to share, we were told that they “don’t do sharing”. I think this is a real shame as the teas are plenty to share, especially as they fall over themselves to refill your plates and the price is quite a bit more than I would usually pay for an afternoon tea making it a very special occasion, doubling the price when we arrive because they “don’t do sharing” (making it over £100) seems unfair. Apart from that, in the packed room, we can’t blame them for the slow service and the staff were so lovely and apologetic, I don’t mind spending a bit more time in this beautiful room!

I would recommend Fortnum and Mason to anyone looking for a much nicer (if more expensive) traditional tearoom experience in this beautiful building.

Instagram: fortnums

Twitter: @Fortnums

Wedsite: fortnumandmason.com

Address: 181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER

Nancy's Beauty and the Beast Afternoon Tea - Tonbridge

I wrote about this beautiful tearoom last year (yes, last year, and I only posted it this month… don’t ask) and if you read that post, you may remember me mentioning their upcoming Beauty and the Beast Afternoon Tea (and being really excited about it!) Months later I finally decided to check it out and I took along a fellow Disney lover and we had a great time!

As I mentioned in my original post about Nancy’s, this tearoom is exactly what I imagine mine would look like if I had a tearoom of my own and this themed afternoon tea makes it even more perfect, (bringing to mind ideas of loads of Disney themed afternoon teas and how I would do them!) It’s so lovely here that walking back into this space is like coming home. The big difference this time is that a table has been laid out in preparation for our afternoon tea, complete with decoration; a red rose – the enchanted rose – in a glass dome surrounded by red, heart-shaped lights (a little valentines-esque for me but beautiful all the same.)

The first things to be brought to our table are two Mrs Potts teapots full of gorgeous breakfast tea, which we chose at the counter on the way in. I’m loving this already! Unfortunately the spouts of these are more true to character (not a bad thing!) than good for pouring and I ended up spilling a fair bit of mine on the table! (Sorry!) Next to arrive are tiered stands of small sandwiches which we chose at the counter on our way in, along with the tea. There are also some extra fillings to add to the sandwiches, should we choose. These were lovely, fresh and delicious. We moved onto scones next, one huge scone each, covered in ‘magic’ (edible glitter) they were so lovely and warm but very filling and came  accompanied by two Chip mugs, one full of jam and one full of cream. By the time we ordered another pot of tea each and moved on to the last course, a very large slice of cake of our choice and some small cakes, we were full and had to order most of it to go. (Unfortunately, I left the box full of cake out on the kitchen counter at home and the cat got to it… no cake for me…)

Altogether this was a really lovely experience for me and really made my day. As a tea lover and huge Disney fan, I enjoyed the details, such as the ‘enchanted’ rose and the appearance of Mrs Potts and Chip and despite his mild embarrassment, I think my friend really enjoyed it too! Perfect for kids and big kids, I recommend this gorgeous afternoon tea for everyone, now I’m off to watch the film again!

On my way out I was told that the next special afternoon tea they are doing is ‘unicorn’ themed, so watch this space!

Facebook: /nancys-tearoom

Address: Lamberts Yard, Tonbridge, TN9 1ER

To book a table for one of the special afternoon teas at Nancy’s drop them a message on Facebook or give them a call on 01732 668055

Beyond the Grounds - Tonbridge

A short but really beautiful walk from my last Blog, Nancys, is Beyond The Grounds. This modern-looking café really puts you on the riverside with the customers who are sat outside sitting right next the wall separating the path from the river, in the glorious sunshine. With my pale skin though, I think I’ll sit inside!

The brightly coloured inside of this coffee house/café is not what you’d expect from its black and white exterior. The mix of purple, grey and green is modern and stylish while still being comfy and inviting. I’m shown to a lovely little table in the corner with a great view of the riverside outside and the rest of the room inside, perfect (exactly the kind of table I love to have!) I’m happy to see, from the collection behind the counter and in a cabinet next to me, that the Teapigs epidemic is growing, they are wonderful teas and the proof of that is in the increasing number of places using them!

As its warm I forgo my usual pot of tea for a lovely cool sparkling elderflower, another favorite of mine and get up to take a look at the cake table… and look…and look...they all look so good! From a lemon and poppyseed loaf to a chocolate Oreo cake with actual Oreos on top which looks too good to miss! Which it is, one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever had, in fact (the only problem I have is that the Oreo on the top has gone soft…) and the Fentimans elderflower is delicious.

It looks like a lot goes on here, just the full name of the café, ‘Beyond the Grounds Café and Meeting Place’ suggests that they want it to me be place for the community, with quiz nights, antenatal classes and a felt workshop on the way soon, I can see it working. This is the perfect place for a casual meeting, to have lunch with friends or to sit alone and think (or write!)

A truly flexible and gorgeous place, perfect for anyone and anything and a fantastic centre for the community.

Twitter: @beyondthegrounds

Instagram: beyondthegrounds

Website: beyondthegrounds.com

Address: 1 River Walk, Tonbridge, TN9 1DT

Nancy's - Tonbridge

I missed this amazing little tearoom when I was in town for Finch House and The Bakehouse at 124 because its tucked down a little side street off the high street, hidden from view. However, the best and tearooms always are and Nancy’s is certainly such a treasure.

Having only been open for 8 months (at the time of this visit), I am massively impressed with how gorgeous and well put together it is. I think if I had a tearoom (a personal dream) it would look something like this. Set out in bright whites, creams and bare woods. The upstairs room which also functions as a private hire room is full of tearoom knick-knacks. A small tea-chest opposite me holds a lovely Aynsley tea set and other pieces for the tearoom’s Beauty and the Beast themed afternoon tea (which, as a massive Disney fan, I am super excited about!) Bunting hangs across two of the walls but the back wall is the statement piece, covered in wallpaper that makes it look like a full bookcase, stunning!

I opted for a cream tea and while the tea itself is delicious, the presentation is what I really love. Served in a beautiful tea-for-one set (the teapot sat in the cup, sat on the saucer) covered in a golden swirls design. I want tea served to me like this all the time! The warm, home-made scones are lovely too and melt in the mouth perfectly.

If you’ve read any of my posts you’ll know it’s always the little things that I love, here it is  the beautiful ramekins for my jam and butter which are shaped like little origami boats (so sweet!), the walls are dotted with little canvases showing pictures of tea, birds and butterflies and most of all the lovely fact that Nancy’s is named after the owner’s daughter. With these things and everything else about this tearoom (but for the screaming child downstairs, which can’t be helped) I think I’ve found heaven.

Boasting a menu full of pastries, hot and cold lunches and not one but two delicious-looking afternoon teas and with really lovely, friendly and welcoming staff, I would recommend Nancy’s to people of all ages for any celebration (or is it just me that celebrates everything with tea?) any meeting or lunch with friends and family. Nancy’s, I will certainly be back to ‘be your guest’ again soon!

Facebook: /nancys-tearoom

Address: Lamberts Yard, Tonbridge, TN9 1ER

The Bakehouse at 124 - Tonbridge

This lovely café resides in a gorgeous Tudor building with bare beams, wooden floors and large working fireplaces. I could sit here for hours refilling my tea and the gorgeous lemon cake I had last time I was here or the tasty-looking croissant I have this time! (that lovely cake unfortunately missing today.) This building is truly beautiful and it’s well worth sitting upstairs and getting a look at more of it. The atmosphere up here is like going back in time to the gorgeous house this must once have been. With the window open next to me, the noise of the traffic and the modern chairs around me are the only things that tether me to the present day as my mind whirls off into what it must have been like back then.

The tea is really lovely and following the trend of ‘teas I’ve never heard of before’ this ‘Kandula breakfast tea’ is really tasty, full of flavor and just a little spice, the best tea I’ve had in a while (even if I almost covered myself in it due to a wobbly table!) I love a croissants but this one is just a little tough and greasy for me (a matter of taste, I’m sure) and makes me long even more for that gorgeous lemon cake from last time.

As always, it’s the little details that catch my eye, jugs that look like tiny milk urns, butter twist-wrapped so that it looks like sweets (don’t eat it whole though!), the hooks in the bathroom made from bent spoon handles attached to the door by their flattened bowls and the way this café still feels like a house, not just a building.

Honestly one of the most beautiful cafes I’ve ever visited, The Bakehouse at 124 has a lovely homely feeling and just oozes charm. I cant blame them for a wobbly table when they have original floors! However I was a bit disappointed by the food this time, having been so happy with it last time is was here.

This is a lovely place to come for brunch, have a meeting or just hide away from the world with several cups (hem… pots…) of tea for a day.

Twitter: @bakehouseat124

Instagram: thebakehouseat124

Website: thebakehouseat124.co.uk

Address: 124 High street, Tonbridge, TN9 1AS