http://harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/
Green Street
Fare: breakfast, paninis, afternoon tea, cakes
Price: £-££
Service Tips: n/a
Harriet's Tea Room is a lovely little place sequestered between Sidney and Trinity Streets, just down from Sainsbury's. For me, their biggest selling point is their tea: loose leaf, with a few black tea blends unique to Harriet's. Their biggest drawback, on the other hand, is the price. I wouldn't go here for breakfast (the Copper Kettle is cheaper and has a better view), but do go for the afternoon tea. The waitresses all wear the stereotypical maid's outfit, with the cute little black dress, white apron, and white hairpiece (there's probably a name for it, but I have no idea what), and they're usually quite pleasant, although the service can be a little slow. They seem to operate on a principle of bothering the customer as little as possible, so if you haven't been able to snag them for the bill, just go up to the register, since you'll have to pay there anyway.
You have a few options for afternoon tea, from the simpler cream tea, which is a pot of tea and two scones with clotted cream and jam, to the full afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and, with the "special afternoon tea," an assortment of cakes. If you're sharing the cream tea with someone else, you may want to order a second round of scones--they're smaller than the ones at the Orchard, and nobody wants to skimp on the scones.
Ultimately, Harriet's is a slightly pricier spot for a nice, quiet afternoon tea with a friend, so if you don't think you'll make it out to the Orchard or you like a more refined experience, check them out.
Showing posts with label afternoon tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label afternoon tea. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Fitzbillies
Website: www.fitzbillies.com
Corner of Trumpington and Pembroke Streets
Fare: coffee, pastries, afternoon tea, desserts, sandwiches, dinner
Price: £
Service Tips: one side is the cafe, other side is the bakery counter and table service; all takeaway espresso drinks are 8 oz
Fitzbillies is a must for any student staying anywhere near Trumpington Street, especially if it's early in the morning and you're desperate for a caffeine fix. Fortunately, your nearest coffee shop, aka this one, is fabulous. To be fair, Caffé Nero is a bit less expensive and more spacious, but you have to go to Fitzbillies at least once, and I highly recommend being there between 8:45 and 9AM when the chelsea buns are made available. Rumor has it that you might be able to get one while it's still warm from the oven, although this doesn't always work, and if you get there too early, they may not have them at all. For the uninformed, chelsea buns are like sticky buns, except they have thinner dough, so there are more spirals to fill with cinnamon-y goodness, plus they're packed with currants. The syrup tastes like it might be sweetened with honey. In other words, it's the perfect complement to a cup of coffee, although it is not for the faint of heart.
As far as the coffee goes, their espresso drinks are all pretty well done, and they actually serve iced coffee all year round. Word to the wise: all of their drinks come in one size, but the size is specific to the drink, so if you want a smaller espresso + milk beverage, you should order a cappuccino, and if you want a larger espresso + milk beverage, you should order a latte. That works if you're staying in, but all takeaway drinks appear to be 8 oz. The jury is still out on what exactly a flat white is, at least Fitzbillies-style. Whatever it is, it looks and tastes identical with a cappuccino, so let me know if you discern its true nature.
As food goes, their grilled cheeses make a great takeaway option, and their scones are pretty good. All of their food prices go up pretty quickly if you're staying in, so don't be too surprised if you end up spending an extra pound or two that way. Generally, it will be a little more expensive than some places, but it's a nice spot and the coffee and food rarely disappoint.
Corner of Trumpington and Pembroke Streets
Fare: coffee, pastries, afternoon tea, desserts, sandwiches, dinner
Price: £
Service Tips: one side is the cafe, other side is the bakery counter and table service; all takeaway espresso drinks are 8 oz
Fitzbillies is a must for any student staying anywhere near Trumpington Street, especially if it's early in the morning and you're desperate for a caffeine fix. Fortunately, your nearest coffee shop, aka this one, is fabulous. To be fair, Caffé Nero is a bit less expensive and more spacious, but you have to go to Fitzbillies at least once, and I highly recommend being there between 8:45 and 9AM when the chelsea buns are made available. Rumor has it that you might be able to get one while it's still warm from the oven, although this doesn't always work, and if you get there too early, they may not have them at all. For the uninformed, chelsea buns are like sticky buns, except they have thinner dough, so there are more spirals to fill with cinnamon-y goodness, plus they're packed with currants. The syrup tastes like it might be sweetened with honey. In other words, it's the perfect complement to a cup of coffee, although it is not for the faint of heart.
As far as the coffee goes, their espresso drinks are all pretty well done, and they actually serve iced coffee all year round. Word to the wise: all of their drinks come in one size, but the size is specific to the drink, so if you want a smaller espresso + milk beverage, you should order a cappuccino, and if you want a larger espresso + milk beverage, you should order a latte. That works if you're staying in, but all takeaway drinks appear to be 8 oz. The jury is still out on what exactly a flat white is, at least Fitzbillies-style. Whatever it is, it looks and tastes identical with a cappuccino, so let me know if you discern its true nature.
As food goes, their grilled cheeses make a great takeaway option, and their scones are pretty good. All of their food prices go up pretty quickly if you're staying in, so don't be too surprised if you end up spending an extra pound or two that way. Generally, it will be a little more expensive than some places, but it's a nice spot and the coffee and food rarely disappoint.
Monday, February 24, 2014
The Orchard
Website: www.orchard-grantchester.com
Mill Way, Grantchester
Fare: afternoon tea, desserts, lunch menu
Price: £-££
Service Tips: they have a cafeteria set-up where you go through a self-serve line, but you can order sandwiches, salads, and hot drinks at the end where you pay; sugar is not set out on the tables; there are signs outside about table busing if you sit in the orchard
This charming tea spot is a 45-minute walk from Pembroke if you take the paved walking path out through the Grantchester Meadows along the River Cam. The Orchard is sort of a historical landmark and is especially famous for hosting the likes of Rupert Brooke, Sylvia Plath, A.A. Milne, and a variety of other creative and intellectual figures who've haunted its lawn chairs and taken tea amid the rambly old trees from which it takes its name. If you happen to go on a wet or chilly day, never fear: they have plenty of indoor seating, and it's spacious enough that even when it's busy, it probably doesn't feel too cramped.
While Harriet's or Auntie's are much closer, the Orchard is the place to go for huge, fresh scones, scrumptious clotted cream, and some seriously good honey. Harriet's has better tea, because they use loose leaf and have their own blends, but the scones, which are baked fresh in house, more than make up for any lack on the Orchard's part. Plus, it's a bit less expensive than the places in town, and it's positively bursting with character. If you fancy a look around before heading back, there's also the Brooke Museum, and probably some other interesting bits besides.
Mill Way, Grantchester
Fare: afternoon tea, desserts, lunch menu
Price: £-££
Service Tips: they have a cafeteria set-up where you go through a self-serve line, but you can order sandwiches, salads, and hot drinks at the end where you pay; sugar is not set out on the tables; there are signs outside about table busing if you sit in the orchard
This charming tea spot is a 45-minute walk from Pembroke if you take the paved walking path out through the Grantchester Meadows along the River Cam. The Orchard is sort of a historical landmark and is especially famous for hosting the likes of Rupert Brooke, Sylvia Plath, A.A. Milne, and a variety of other creative and intellectual figures who've haunted its lawn chairs and taken tea amid the rambly old trees from which it takes its name. If you happen to go on a wet or chilly day, never fear: they have plenty of indoor seating, and it's spacious enough that even when it's busy, it probably doesn't feel too cramped.
While Harriet's or Auntie's are much closer, the Orchard is the place to go for huge, fresh scones, scrumptious clotted cream, and some seriously good honey. Harriet's has better tea, because they use loose leaf and have their own blends, but the scones, which are baked fresh in house, more than make up for any lack on the Orchard's part. Plus, it's a bit less expensive than the places in town, and it's positively bursting with character. If you fancy a look around before heading back, there's also the Brooke Museum, and probably some other interesting bits besides.
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