Tea Box

Just got home from having afternoon tea here with a friend. We were really enjoying ourselves until I had the temerity to ask for some hot water to dilute my portion of our shared pot of Earl Grey. "What are you going to use it for?" asked the rather too patronising waiter, before lecturing me on the fact that the Tea Box does not usually allow customers the extravagance of extra hot water. He went on to ask us if we were to become regular customers, because if we were, we should have done as we were (patronisingly) told at the beginning and removed the tea from the pot when the desired strength was reached. But he did condescend to bring me my water, as I explained that I preferred a weaker brew than my companion, and this met with his reluctant approval. When we subsequently sent back a rock hard scone, we were informed by the same waiter that "because the scones were home made, they can never be consistent." Funny, we were under the impresssion that we were paying customers in a professionally run and staffed tearoom. Not so, we were told, so we should not expect uniformity in the baked goods at the Tea Box. All of this is a real shame, because our sandwiches were very good indeed. Next time we feel the need for a little abuse and/or correction of our tea etiquette, we shall return.

Amazing tea and a lovely, relaxing place to sit and have a chin wag! The Moroccan Mint was fabulous! Great change from the boring world of Costa Coffee!!

Just visited the Tea Box - what a great place. I love tea and it's so exciting to find a place that is tailored towards serious tea drinkers for a change. The friendly owner recommended the Russian Caravan tea and it was delicious - just what I wanted. If you love tea - go!