A Cup with Sorcha: Café Gourmand, Lexington Street, Soho, London

This week our Lady in London headed out to Soho's Café Gourmand for a little taste of France.

Café Gourmand

The intimate setting, lodged between two soho boutiques just off Carnaby street, is a fitting backdrop for a tiny but delicious coffee and a freshly baked croissant. 

The wooden furnishings of Cafe Gourmand compliment the pristine white crockery. The coffee is rich, smooth and is served at drinkable temperature with a leaf design tastefully poured on its silky surface. Cafe Gourmand upgrades the traditionally French Coq au Vin and Croque Monsieur, by displaying them as masterpieces in their own right, on a shining golden hot plate behind a glass cabinet. Two smartly dressed French hipsters with lovably complicated accents, smile occasionally and come to refresh your water glass from a old, green wine bottle when ever it is empty.

Coffee Break

 Buzzing with couples, suited fellows in business meetings and East London student types on days out with their mac’s, it seems that Gourmand’s vibrancy will suit most occasions where coffee is craved. The sweet window seats with wooden benches offer the single diner a chance to drink tea and watch the bustling disorder of soho happen in its usual fashion.

Tea (Importantly!) comes succinctly and stylishly compact in one sleek glass cylinder comprised of three parts- the vessel, the filter and the lid. Gourmand offers an array of loose leaf tea’s, one of which when ordered is generously pressed into the filter and brewed on your table. The tea is seen as the beverage’s main player, the focus, a minimalist tea feat. The fragrancy of the Jasmine tea is especially refreshing.

Yum!

Sourdough breads, served on raw wooden platters are not to be resisted after the cheesy, rich smell from the kitchen wafts through the cafe, making noses prick up and mouths water. Cafe Gourmand, with only 10 tables, offers each individual set of diners a special and personal experience.

Quality bakes as well as nurtured cooking make Cafe Gourmand the perfect, warm, bijou getaway from the February rain.

Sorcha-Mae Stott-Strzala is a videographer and live artist whose practice involves capturing moments of quotidian and the everyday. Her work in hospitality and the food industry combined with working in the arts, has lead to a diverse range of performance and video, exhibited in and around London and Manchester. More information about her current project TINATA (This Is Not A Take Away) can be found at: http://thisisnotatakeaway.com/
Twitter: @TINATA12

The 'Baking Mad' Challenge - Afternoon Tea Menu Ideas

A few weeks ago we were challenged by our friends at bakingmad.com to attempt an Afternoon Tea challenge using recipes from their website.

Tea for Two

Being fans of all things Afternoon Tea, we couldn't resist this opportunity and so headed over to their site to see what was on offer. The choice was quite substantial - offering everything from cupcakes to pastries - but after lengthy discussions we decided to go for a simple yet elegant tea of Bite Size Brownies, Butterfly Cakes and Tea Time Scones

Two Tiers of Treats

These recipes were quick, easy to make and perfect on a budget - The whole thing cost less than £7 (plus we still have plenty of ingredients left over to make it all again!)

Check out their website for information on how to make cupcake recipes and more.

Yummy Gooey Brownies

How do you think we got on? Do let us know if you try any of the recipes above, we'd love to know what you think!

Love

Laura and Caroline

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Cake Break: Ben's Cookies, Carnaby Street, London

Located in London's über cool Carnaby Street (So cool in fact that Irregular Choice shoes have their own shop - I know!) the aroma from Ben's Cookies turns a desire for the designer into a craving for cookies.
This cute mini cookie bar is decked out with bold red furnishings and shiny hearts that drape across the windows. Gorgeously romantic and also very British with Quentin Blake style artwork infused into its signature look - ideal surroundings for a Valentine's treat!

The cookies themselves are something else. Soft and gooey with huge chocolate chunks, in particular the white chocolate flavour. There are also raisin options and brownies on offer along with a selection of hot and cold drinks.
A spacious outdoor seating area puts Ben's Cookies at the top of our list for perfect summer coffee stops!

(Laura)

Our Lady in London

...Now covering London

For the last twelve months The Afternoon Tea Club has dealt almost exclusively with the lovely and varied establishments of the North West, sampling their teas and reviewing their cake to great effect. However, the time has come for us to spread our wings and fly down south (once a month) to explore the wonderful teas of London.

To assist us with this challenge we've recruited a brand new guest blogger, Sorcha Stott-Strzala, who will be reviewing on the site once a month, offering an insight into the London Tea scene. With a background in high-end Afternoon Tea, we know that she's going to make an excellent addition to the team - Welcome Sorcha!

Check back soon for the first instalment of 'A Cup with Sorcha'

Love

Laura and Caroline

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Lunch Break: Watergate Tearooms, Hebden Bridge

When in Hebden Bridge, Lunch is an absolute necessity, and with so many different places to choose from you can be really spoilt for choice. On my most recent visit to the town, I decided to venture into the Watergate Tearooms (which have long been tempting me) to sample some of their lovely fare.

Scone and Jam

Offering extensive menus, which include both full afternoon and cream teas, this little cafe has something for everyone. The scones in particular are delicious, served warm with lashings of jam and cream - the perfect winter warmer by itself or with a cup of tea. Similarly the sandwiches are presented to a high standard, made using good quality products and garnishes.

Ham Baguette and Salad

However, there is one small downside to this cafe. On the day that I visited the service was particularly slow, with us being left waiting for the best part of an hour to be served our tea and sandwiches. In fairness, I must note that they were particularly busy, but I feel that even when considering this, the wait was a little longer than I would have otherwise liked. I wouldn't say that this is a reason not to pay them a visit, but just something to be taken into account if pushed for time.

Otherwise, lovely food and very pleasant staff!

(Caroline)