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Le Chandelier
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By Jessica Cargill Thompson
It is inconceivable that a fancy tearoom on East Dulwich's main drag won't be an instant hit, so only a matter of weeks after opening, Le Chandelier is already full of buggy-wielding mums and freelancers piggybacking on the owner's wi-fi.
The latest place to quench London's current thirst for speciality infusions, Le Chandelier is Moroccan tea palace meets English tearoom, with delicate chinaware, wholesome baking, velvet sofas and a ceiling dripping with chandeliers.
Reading the tea menu is rather daunting for the uninitiated, especially anyone confused by the difference between black (robust, often drunk with milk), green (paler, good for the digestion), oolong (rich in essential oils), white (delicate, low in caffeine) and the rarer yellow (mild and refreshing) categories into which the teas are grouped. Flamboyant descriptions make for an entertaining read: the Yunnan Gold is 'dark, rich, tangy and deep with tapered liquorice spice notes'; the Jing Monkey-picked Oolong has 'mesmerising depths' and a 'unique peachiness' (and wasn't really picked by monkeys); and the Gold Tip Puerh exudes 'an earthy aroma like damp autumn leaves on a forest bed'.
Though our enthusiastic waiter was not yet fully up to speed on the intricacies of Camellia sinensis, his recommendation of Vanilla Black Tea was spot on (I had said I liked strong, sweet teas); it had an unmistakable vanilla taste that stopped short of being sickly. The Blue Sapphire Earl Grey was equally clean and refreshing, and far deeper in flavour than you'd expect from this genteel staple - and there was no snobbery about wanting a little milk with it either. Though the top end teas hit £4, each pot stretches to four splendid cups.
Pâtisserie, made on site, was far less successful. The miniature Victoria sponge (£3.90) was chewy, the Eccles cake (a commendable inclusion) nicely flaky on the outside but too dry inside, and the ham club sandwich not only unpleasantly thin and buttery but shockingly expensive at £8.50.
With more substantial food served in the evenings, a licensed bar, lunches, champagne afternoon teas, bread and pâtisserie to take away, and teas for sale loose, Le Chandelier might be spreading itself too thin to achieve perfection.Time Out London Issue 1937: October 3-9 2007
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 161 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8HX
- Area: East Dulwich
- Tel: 020 8299 3344
- Category: Cafes
- Travel: East Dulwich rail then 40, 176, 185 bus
- Times: Open Tue-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 12noon-9pm
- Price: Pot of tea £2.30-£4. Set afternoon tea £15
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Andrewoutdoors
Hi where do we start! I was walking over the weekend. It was a lovely sunny day and I thought it would great to be able to share this with someone....
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I recently arranged a party at Le Chandelier and I have to say they did a magnificent job. The food was excellent, the service was attentive but unobtrusive, and the venue (as ever) looked great – candle-lit, warm and welcoming. I had a great and very memorable night.
they do kedgeree to die for...
beautiful interior, delicious food, super cocktails and a relaxing atmosphere to boot. will definitely be going back for tea and cake!
Poor slow unhelpful and surly service. Lack of wi-fi. Won't be going back and I had considered for location work. It pays to be polite to all and not just those who bark and bray.
Great interior, miserable service. Waited over an hour for my order when having brunch there, and when it arrived it was awful and hopelessly overpriced. Typifies the growing arrogance of the East Dulwich set.
nothing but the best service, exquisite food, tea and champagne, great music and stunning decor... the prices are reasonable, you pay for what you get which his quality, the scones are great and very filling when teamed with jam, clotted cream and tea, le chandilier is a pure class in my opinion
£6.50 for a cream tea without clotted cream (they'd run out!). The tea was mediocre and the scones were tiny (about the size of 50p piece), they were also slightly over cooked....scones shuld be light and fluffy not crispy. I definitely won't be returning.
I have tried this local cafe three times now and the service is getting worse rather than better. I find the staff pleasing on the eye but either distant and dreamy or down right rude! The decor is gorgeous and I loved the brunch and champagne. But if I am to spend money like this (its not cheap) then I expect to be treated with a little more care.
Although the teas are lovely, and my mid-morning Eggs Benedict delicious, there is something not quite right about this establishment. The decor is beautiful, but the music was too loud, and something stops it feeling relaxed. Service was slack and without warmth. Most extraordinarily, despite being the first customers of the day, there were no pain au chocolat or croissants and the waitress refused to bring my companion a piece of toast instead - a bacon sandwich was the only other option! NO doubt it will succeed owing to it's location, but they need to buck up their service ideas!
Enjoyed it... eclectic, well presented and delicious food. Flowering teas beautiful to watch unfold... and most refreshing! Interior spectacular. Staff helpful. It deserves to succeed!