A proper English afternoon 'high tea'?

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 18:28

anywhere round Girne etc? Does anyone know if any of the hotels do one/that they tried and was good?

With triangle sandwiches and scones with cream and jam and Earl grey or Darjeeling tea...mmmmmm am going to London next wk anyway but just wondered if they had anywhere here I could take my local friends and partner etc for them to experience it!

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 18:47

Try Cornwall LOL

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 18:51

mmm exactly! Probably won't be the same here, may have to re-create my own version here, bring back a few scones from UK ;0)

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 18:59

Hi NatAless,



I am thinking of opening such an establishment when I go to live permenantly in the TRNC next year. Do you think the expats and tourists would frequent it and would it be a good business to set up? I have many years experience of cooking and baking for families as I have worked alongside my husband in private households.





The butlers wife.

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 19:11

I have always thought every single time I am living abroad, Spain Italy etc that people never do it and should!

They always do fish and chips but some people may not know & be curious about the ritual of a traditional English afternoon tea, ok so a lot of foreigners always say that typical English people stop everything & drink tea at 5pm every day! But they might not know about the cucumber, salmon, ham etc assorted sandwiches, tea cakes, scones and all different types of tea etc also once I had it in the Ritz hotel in London and we had champagne high tea which was also lovely, some champagne before the tea... In a relaxed environment with lovely music playing, elegant decor (or cosy whatever style you prefer) I think it can really work! I see it as a meal as often you get those cake stand things full and you can have your tea re-filled as much as you like for a set price, I have never managed dinner after it!

Good luck & am sure a lot of the ex pats (like me) miss it and would go!

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 19:13

I'd like to come and work for you but don't let me have too many cakes on my 'tea' break, I'll become a whale

lol!

Jo Valentine


Joined: 10/02/2008
Posts: 508

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 19:15

Why not?

In Madeira, Reid's still do it and unless it's changed in the last couple of years, it was always necessary to book well in advance.

Go for it!

Jo Valentine

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 19:17

Yes & I think even tourists would go as even in England there aren't so many places that do it anymore, it would be perfect as people are always a bit peckish after a day on the beach or pool swimming etc

Mindy



Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1210

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 19:38

A Tea Room sounds a nice idea, think there used to be one next door to Unwins in 2004/05. If you take in to account the cost of renting premises you would need to sell more than tea and scones to make it viable. if you go to the Chateau lambousa on Saturdays there is all kinds of home made baking on display, some a little pricey but some not bad value for money and convenience of course. I have started baking my own scones and cakes due to the cost of items here. I do think it would be a popular venue particularly in the summer time.

Good luck

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 19:42

Mindy - yes, just remembered the Tea Rooms next to Unwins - didn't realise it closed down that long ago!



I never went in, although it looked nice and very traditional from the outside. I'm not sure there would be a market for such a place, although perhaps it might depend on where it was situated?



J

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 19:55

Hi Jo,



Reids in Madiera, that brings back lovely memories for me and yes afternoon tea was an experience there. Something I would like to repeat in the TRNC if I thought there would be enough interest.





The butlers wife

briggus


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 20:50

http://www.bettys.co.uk/



See link this is a popular "up north" and is very successful. Their website may give you some ideas.



Good Luck

rolly


Joined: 12/03/2009
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 21:16

tea rooms it was called la de dars not bad but a bit too far out of town its closed down last year.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 21:27

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any thoughts as to where such a place might be successful?



Rolly - yes, I agree, not the best position for a place such as a Tea Room.



We have one here in Bury St Edmunds, part of a big chain - Harriet's - which does a roaring trade. Not much help, I know, just an observation



J

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 22:58

heard there was a place doing teas in Karmi, anyone aware.

cypwine


Joined: 09/05/2009
Posts: 177

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 23:17

lovely one in larnaca, home made scones with clotted cream, & a cake of the day, todays was lemon drizzle, served outside at tables with blue check table cloths, the english lady also sells bone china pots & handmade cards etc.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 23:34

If there is a need we will do it. Afterall we do panninis etc. Guido makes the best scones. Food for thought for me now xxxxxx

cypwine


Joined: 09/05/2009
Posts: 177

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 23:37

arbee



forgot about that one can`t remember the name ??? but it had a great write up in the mail mag.

cypwine


Joined: 09/05/2009
Posts: 177

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 23:54

another one i just remembered but havnt visited yet is in napa, cream teas & real cornish pasties yummy

cypwine


Joined: 09/05/2009
Posts: 177

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 00:04

as far as i know it is, The pie shop, also now do eat ins. again i havnt tried it, prefer my local foods, but for a treat a scone & a cup of earl grey go down nicely

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 00:56

Hi all,



I think it would go down well in this luxury hotel that Tommy is going to build east of Kyrenia. If it goes down well in Reids in Madeira why not here?





The butlers wife

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 01:01

Hi the butlers wife we await you when this NEW complex is up and running ???? xxxxxxxxxxxx

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 01:39

So, Tea Rooms are popular in Pafos (Paphos) and Pyla? How interesting. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I thought these were in ROC?



I have already said that, in my humble opinion, there would not be a call for them, but, if there was, surely existing businesses could cater?



What next - perhaps a pie, mash and eel shop in TRNC to make it feel a bit more like "home" for us Londonders?



Lilli - absolutely right - I, too await the inclusion of a Luxury Tea Room within Tommy's new complex. Lilli - the scones and jam are on me! LOL

J

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 04:06

IMO It would be so popular with ex-pats, tourists and even the indigenous population. It would be unique. There was a programme on TV recently about a couple in service who opened one tea room and went from strength to strength opening many. So that says something about the niche market. I tried to research this but unfortunately couldn't remember the name of their shops. However, I came up with this.

http://www.rosestearooms.co.uk/tearoompages/suppliers.shtml

Unique in the concept that they source their products from organic/animal welfare/humanitarian organisations and that (in my book) is a winner.



Good luck to you for the future. I think you will do well. x