Northern Tea House, Huddersfield

I have discovered a little gem of a teashop in, of all places, Huddersfield. While you might not expect it at first glance, Huddersfield is actually studded with lots of gorgeous little places to eat and drink, of a surprisingly high standard.


One of these is the Northern Tea House. It has a very welcoming atmosphere, edgy décor that mixes industrial chic with a traditional background, and absolutely delicious cakes. It is bright, clean and cosy. I've only been once, and didn't have time for a full on afternoon or cream tea, but I did indulge in a sumptuous, moist slice of carrot cake.


I like the crockery - vintage feeling glass plates and pretty bone china cups. I am not so keen on the industrial-looking teapots - I would prefer bone china ones - but I have to admit that they work with the fusion of industrial, New York loft/traditional Cath Kidston chintz style. And I love the little mini milk bottles!

My visit was short and sweet, but I am already hooked, and will definitely be back very soon. Of course, I'll have to try a cream tea and review it, won't I?

Vintage Cupcake Kitchen, Uppermill

The other day, Mr CTC and I were entertaining the parent-types. We decided on a walk, followed by - you've guessed it - a stop in a teashop. Imagine my excitement when I saw the Vintage Cupcake Kitchen in Uppermill! It is, I believe, quite a young eating establishment, but it is already thriving and extremely popular. We went on a busy Sunday afternoon, and it was heaving! Luckily, the lovely sunshine meant we could sit outside on the dog-friendly terrace, so our dog was included in the fun.


Unusually for me, I didn't fancy a cream tea (I must have been coming down with something), but Mr CTC didn't let the side down. There was a choice of a 'deconstructed' cream tea - i.e.: how we normally have it with scone, butter, cream and jam, that you assemble yourself, or a 'made-up' cream tea, where the scone was already loaded with cream and jam. The addition of fresh fruit (strawberries or raspberries) was a thoughtful and welcome extra.


When the food arrived, I was shocked at the size of the scones! They were ridiculously huge! The scones were freshly baked, but cold and un-fruited. But, they looked absolutely delicious. The cream was perfectly clotted with a crust, and the jam provided in cute little jars. The already constructed cream tea was also scrumptious. It had to be eaten in wedges like a cake. The cream was fresh not clotted, but nonetheless, got the thumbs up from Mr CTC.

I am a real sucker for the retro styling and pretty napkins. The crockery was beautiful vintage bone china, and I thought that if I ever run a tearoom, I would do it like this. In addition, the other food available on the innovative and interesting menu was very good too. My mum had a soup and I had a cupcake (I couldn't not), which was as good as it looked. It was soft and creamy with lots of sweet icing. I definitely couldn't have two.

The Vintage Cupcake Kitchen is now on our map of tearooms, and we will be making a detour there again, hopefully very soon!



Betty's in Harrogate

Last month, I was easily persuaded by my best friend S to visit the Queen of Tearooms, Betty's in Harrogate.

It was for a slightly special occasion - any excuse really - so, we splashed out on a five course 'Lady Betty Afternoon Tea' for £39.95 each in the Imperial Suite. Betty's is one of my favourite places on Earth - a shrine to my favourite meal in the beautiful surroundings of genteel Harrogate. As you step in the door, you know you're in for a treat. It is both unpretentious and extremely smart at the same time.




We were shown to our table by the window, overlooking the beautiful Montpellier Gardens outside, and immediately offered a glass of champagne. Perfect. My friend doesn't drink champagne, so I had to have hers...

I was very impressed by the menu - a mix of the exotic and the familiar, an imaginative twist on the traditional afternoon tea.

When it arrived, we weren't disappointed. It started with an amuse bouche - an avocado prawn cocktail for me and a tomato salsa for S. It was light, creamy and divine. I loved the delicate bone china too - a lovely little touch, and different to the crockery served in the Café Tearoom.



Then the 3 tiered cake stand came out with the afternoon tea. We were delighted to see thickly filled finger sandwiches, scones and beautifully-crafted artisan cakes. The only complaint we had about the sandwiches was that there weren't enough of them! We asked for more, naturally, so we each could taste each type. I was very impressed with the fillings - traditional egg mayonnaise and coronation chicken. They reminded me of childhood picnics.



The scone course was very good too. My friend hates dried fruit, so I ate the fruited scones and she had the Yorkshire lavender ones. The scones were a little on the small side, but in keeping with the delicate, gentrified nature of the Lady Betty afternoon tea. I guess not everybody wants as hearty an afternoon tea as I do! Also, the scones were cold, which again is only a personal niggle. However, the jam and cream were flawless. Beautiful clotted cream and raspberry jam.

The cakes were amazing. I avoid coffee flavoured cakes as a rule, so was a little nervous about trying the coffee cream religieuse, but it was delicious! Creamy, sweet with a hint of tanginess. It may have converted me to the way of the coffee bean... There was a pink cake shaped like a perfect cube, the fresh berry meringue, which was soft and sweet, but there was a slightly dubious edge to it - an added green garnish which had an odd taste - coriander or dill or something incongruous. But the chocolate and praline slice was absolutely gorgeous.

Suitably satisfied and not overfull, S and I perused the beautiful shop, bought some little cakes for everyone at home, and eyed up all the amazing Easter chocolate creations. I will be hinting quite strongly at Mr CTC for a Betty's Easter Egg this year!

All in all, Betty's was fantastic, yet again! The company was wonderful, and the occasion was made super-special by an (almost) flawless, sumptuous, luxurious (but not pretentious) afternoon tea at one of the best tearooms in the world. Betty's still reigns supreme in my book.