This cosy little teashop has just opened at the top of Bath,
along a narrow pedestrian passageway called Saville Row. The property has been
empty and unloved for ages so it was with some excitement that I noticed
somebody was starting to refurbish it – and what a good job they did. The
freshly-washed windows let in great floods of sunshine, making the
newly-painted butter-yellow walls glow, and the whole space feels light and
airy. Tables are spread with embroidered cloths and set with mismatched flowery
china; your tea comes with a silver strainer and your cake with a silver cake
fork. The whole place has a feeling of tranquillity and unaffected elegance.
There was a fine selection of freshly homemade cakes to
choose from, as well as more substantial toasted sandwiches, quiches and other
tempting offers. I went for Devil’s Chocolate Cake, which was a fabulously
moist sponge with rich chocolate buttercream on the outside and the proprietress’s
wonderfully delicate homemade strawberry jam in the middle. I washed it down
with a cup of Yellow Oolong tea, which was a very exciting discovery – it’s a
beautifully subtle golden tea which tastes like fresh-cut grass smells. It was
summer in a teacup.
The service was swift and very friendly, and the prices were
surprisingly reasonable. I have to say, in fact, that there are many places in
Bath where you could pay a lot more for a cup of tea and a piece of cake, and
get a lot less for your money…
