Saggs and the City: Tea buds

A cup of tea solves everything.

(age-old British saying)

For a nation that consumes a staggering 165 million cups of tea per day (surpassed only by water), refusing a warm cuppa, when proffered, would almost be considered a sacrilege.

To the English, Tea is comforting, Tea is therapy, Tea is the happy pill for a bad day, Tea is the anti-depressant, Tea is be all and end all of British life.

The consumption of Tea is an experience in itself, and can be heightened by dunking shortbread, rich tea biscuits, hobnobs, digestives, or buttery biscuits. Better yet, Tea is perfect when accompanied by a selection of delectable tea-time nibbles - assorted finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, cupcakes, and the like.

Tea is also better shared with a friend. Friendships can be developed over a hot, milky, comforting cuppa.

After Makiko & Dan returned to Japan, Cheeks and I cut down our visits to tearooms and cafes. It was only when we got to know Val and Luke - who seem to share a similar passion - that we rekindled the weekly jaunts to some cafe-out-there-not-Starbucks.

Together, we began trawling London's best-loved tearooms and cafes. With a greedy vengence!

For the past 3 'playdates' (more like teadates for the mummies, really), we've been to different tearooms/cafes around London. Between sips and chomps, we catch up with each other. And we've kinda begun DVD swopping with each other, mostly tear-jerkers or heart-warming classics. What a bunch of sentimental sops we are!

2 Fridays ago (1 Feb), we caught up at Shipp's Tea Room in Borough, nearish London Bridge. Cozy and exceedingly quaint, the old-fashioned tearoom exudes warmth with its pastel hued walls, country-styled tablecloth, and wooden furniture. I loved the ceiling with its white chandeliars, and pretty array of teacups suspended near the shop entrance. Against the walls were rows of shelves and display cabinets stacked with bone china tea sets. It had the perfect ambience as tearooms go - charming, and inviting.

Then last Fri (8 Feb), we popped over to Ottolenghi, a swanky cafe located in Islington. With its modish interior and vast selection of pastries and savouries, I was sold at the shopfront. Once inside, the cakes did not disappoint. The apple vanilla cake I ordered and Val's chocolate rum were divine.

My teensy weensy grouse on the place? That it lacked a certain...'soul' - something I found more evident at Shipp's Tearoom. Perhaps it was a tad too pristine, too tailored for young, fashionable yuppy types? So whilst I found the pastries pukka, I still prefer a comfy spot to nestle in and while away the afternoon. But I doubt it'll be long before I drop in at Ottolenghi again though. Afterall, I did say the cakes are DIVINE, did I not? :)