First stop...Waterloo

As the first post away from home, I happened to visit somewhere with an air of familiarity. Waterloo, London -> Waterloo Gardens Teahouse in Roath, Cardiff. Most Cardiffians will know about this teahouse and probably adore it for the friendly, laid back but proficient attitude. 

The menu comprises an impressive selection of black, green, white, fruit, oolong, rooibos and puerh teas. We ordered pots of the vanilla black tea, jasmine pearl green tea and, as it's approaching Christmas, a pot of Waterloo Christmas tea was a must.

Jasmine pearl organic green tea

Waterloo Christmas black tea: lemon & orange peel and cinnamon 

The barista explained how long to wait for the best brewing results for each tea when he served the colourful individual pots of tea and matching cups. Said cups are in the style of Chinese teacups: sans handle with a lip around the edge. You can probably pour three cups per teapot which is ideal for about £3.00 a pot. 

The cakes were also unbelievably good. Generous chunky portions but very light sponges. Most if not all of their cakes are gluten free and vegan options are available on request. The pistachio and rose loaf was surprisingly moist with the occasional burst of lemon juice coming through.

 Pistachio & rose loaf cake

The elderflower and gooseberry cake was pretty sizeable with sweet and light whipped cream sandwiched between fluffy sponge. Bliss.

 Vanilla black tea with elderflower & gooseberry cake

Waterloo Gardens Teahouse have a real community spirit and embrace local craft and art by displaying local artists' work as well as donating commissions to The Global Fund.

If you're not one for tea, coffee is given as much attention and you can order lunch too. As for my visit, when it hit 4pm the place filled up with people enjoying a hefty Afternoon Tea. It's no secret that I am a BIG fan of Afternoon Teas, therefore I shall be heading back there to devour the plentiful treats! I've also heard that around Christmas time last year they had a harpist in the house(!) and they might be making another appearance this year which would be a lovely touch.

Bea's of Bloomsbury - Afternoon Tea

I could get used to this Afternoon Tea thing...especially when having it at superb value!

Bea's of Blomsbury has been a hotspot for anyone who adores tea and all things baking since it opened in 2008, and it has sadly taken me this long to treat myself to a visit. Put the violins away I hear you say, so let's not dwell on my tardiness to the party, the main thing for me to stress is that if you haven't yet been along for a cuppa and lunch/a pastry/sweet treat, you are missing out! If you have been, then I'm sure you too have been won over by Bea's. 

It has a small and elegant interior with various dainty decorations and kitchenware and characterful crockery. It epitomises a tea party with a modern and charming panache.

Although you can come here for a variety of drinks and foods I went for the full Afternoon Tea for £15 per head (an option of tea and scones is available for £6 per head). They say their afternoon tea is their 'take on a British institution' and here's why. Firstly, we were each served three mini sandwiches with different fillings. There is an alternative if you are vegetarian.

The ingredients are fresh, and evenly balanced to enhance the flavours. My favourite was definitely the ham and brie sandwich which had a hit of wholegrain mustard underneath the ham.

There was no rush and once we had finished the savouries, it was time to bring out the big buns.

BAKED GOODS!

As the waitress placed the cake stand before us my heart and stomach leapt. Such a beautiful selection of crafted delights. On the bottom tier were scones with the strawberry jam and clotted cream as well as some passionfruit marshmallow. And the top tier was embellished with pistachio and chocolate macarons, meringue balls, brownies, blondies and blueberry and banoffee cupcakes. Heaven.

Most of my attention was spent on the moist banoffee cupcake which had a light cream frosting - rather than a butter or cream cheese - which offered the most sweetness; and the macarons with their crumbly pistachio shell and dark chocolate ganache. The scones were perfectly cooked and always a staple part of afternoon tea but the afore mentioned were particular highlights! I'd like to also point out that the meringues were spot on too, with a decent chewiness in the middle.

The rabbits on the cake stand were also a nice touch. You can just make out their little heads on the top tier looking like they're having an innocent smooch.

There was so much cake to be had that we couldn't finish it all. (I'm sorry). But the great thing is that you can take the leftovers home all boxed up and in tact. (No longer sorry).

There is a room available to hire for parties and Bea's of Bloomsbury also host baking lessons and special events. One of which is their Mad Hatter's Tea Party on 20th August with the promise of all you can "Eat Me" Bailey trifles, jam tarts, cupcakes and baked goods galore along with "Drink Me" tea. I'm sure it will be suitably jaunty!

Mrs. Marengo's

I love stumbling across places I've not been before, especially when they turn out to be better than I anticipated.


After having lunch at Cha Cha Moon (see the post below), I was after something sweet and a dose of coffee. So my friend and I wondered around Carnaby Street then Lexington Street for inspiration until we stopped at the end of the road with a large Pret a Manger on one side and Mrs. Marengo's on the other, and I was won over by the cake display in the shop window that it was a no brainer to step inside.


It's a vegetarian cafe and cake shop whose sister restaurant, Mildred's, is just next door. They serve savoury food as well, but I was more interested in the cakes!

And my what cakes they have - most of which are glutenfree, wheatfree or vegan. The brownie, the victoria sponge and the fruit, nut and seed slice were all very tempting, but I couldn't resist the pretty glutenfree cupcakes.


My friend, Dave, braved it and went for the devilish looking chocolate and raspberry truffle cake! This was very tasty but was served in a rather big slice which I personally would've struggled with.


The latte also hit the spot, but considering that they use Monmouth organic coffees, why wouldn't it?

If you're spending the day shopping in the centre of town, I'd thoroughly recommend popping into Mrs. Marengo's for a quick stop to refuel; or if you work nearby get some food to take-away. The only thing that's slightly niggling is their seating, which are all high stools. In which case, if it's a good sit-down lunch you're after, it's probably best to go to Mildred's next door.