Afternoon tea can be a very swish affair; the starched, white tablecloths, the silver spoons, delicate china and impeccable, glossy patisserie. Sigh, I'm a sucker for it...bye bye £100. Talk of Tea in Brighton however, is none of those things. Despite having the city's largest tea list with some incredibly refined options, it is very much an "everyday" venue (their words). And it suits Brighton to a, well, tee.
Located right in the centre of town just off Western Road, it's an intimate little space, decorated with little trinkets, mismatched lanterns, fluro orange walls and charming it is too. There's also a sweet little yard with hanging seats for when the sun shines.
The tea menu lists Temi Tea (A Royal Tea from the only tea garden in the former kingdom of Sikkim), Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls and some fine organic Darjeeling. They have a superb green tea choice and many flavoured teas, including some rather unorthodox blends, Limoncello or Witch Blend anyone?
I had the Milky Oolong which is unlike any other tea. Refreshing, sweet and fragrant with an unmistakable milky taste. I can't get enough of it.
Unlike the extensive tea menu, the food on offer is more simple. You can pop in for a sandwich or a slice of cake for just a few pounds or have the full afternoon tea with a choice of sandwiches, scones and a slice of cake.
Cake gets a big shout out. They are made in-house and are all gluten free, not that you'd know it. The enormous slices of chocolate & raspberry and carrot cake were both super light. I sometimes find gluten free options quite cloying and dense but these were anything but. And although they don't cater for vegans, you can call in advance and they will make something specially.
I would have liked the scones to have more height but they were pleasant and sandwiches simple but delicious enough. They could probably tweak it here and there—cut the crusts off and the like—but this is all very relaxed and everything feels about right. This is a pleasant afternoon tea that won't be breaking any banks (£10.95 for 1 person or £19.95 for 2 people).
Being so close to town it's a handy one to know about for a pit shop and quick bite or a lingering tea-fuelled lunch with the ladies. And with piles of games, magazines and books, it's the place to spend some time if you have it. They are so friendly here and welcomed my two crumb making kids but I think it's not the best place for a meet up with the children in tow if they are very young due to the size of the place, lack of highchairs etc. Look, before I had kids, I wouldn't have been keen to have my quiet afternoon tea hijacked by some squarking little ones. Even though I could take my 4 year old boy confidently to a fine dining restaurant for a 3 hour meal, well the 18 month old girl is cut from a different cloth!
Now more than ever with the increase of the chain restaurants and coffee shops in the city, we should really make the effort to celebrate and support our independent places, as after all, they are what makes Brighton Brighton.
talkoftea.co.uk
26 Spring St
Brighton BN1 3EF
talkoftea.co.uk
26 Spring St
Brighton BN1 3EF
I was invited to review Talk of Tea, words and thoughts, as ever, are my own.
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