PERMANENTLY CLOSED: 07/03/2019 – Sadly this week I learnt that the tearoom is no more.
My friend Helen and I meet up maybe a couple of times a year, although it seems like we’ve seen each other only yesterday, it’s that kind of friendship. We keep meaning to try out Elsie’s Tearoom together – we have visited with other friends in the past – and back in December we finally managed it.
We arranged to get there just before 12 as it can get busy. They don’t take bookings and it only holds around 22 people. As soon as I walked in (surprisingly I was early for once) I was greeted by a friendly waitress and shown to a table. Helen followed not long after.
There are plenty of sandwich fillings to chose from on the lunch menu, served on granary or white bread which can be toasted. Also on the menu were jacket potatoes, a ‘soup of the day’ which sounded nice, spicy root vegetable & lentil served with bread & butter for £4.80. Afternoon tea is available from 11.30.
We both chose prawns in Marie Rose sauce on granary bread with a handful of crisps and a little salad garnish. I chose a cold drink, one of my favourites Fentimen’s Rose lemonade.
The sandwiches were very nice, fresh and tasty with plenty of prawns and sauce, with me making rather a mess of it as usual.
We were sat near the counter and had all the cakes in our view, homemade by the looks of them. We chose two to share, red velvet and cranberry & white chocolate ganache.
The red velvet was nice although towards the edge it was slightly dry, not stale I don’t think, just not moist. Nice enough though. We particularly liked the creamy centre and topping.
We both much preferred the cranberry & white chocolate ganache. This was a three tiered sponge cake with a butter cream filling. We think there may have been almonds present (because of the texture) but weren’t too sure. On top some white chocolate shavings and a frosted cranberry. The edges of the sponge were a little crunchy which we liked.
Inside Elsie’s is sweet, some pinky bunting tied between the walls, beamed ceiling, glass chandeliers, mirrors, pictures, signs and as it was near Christmas some decorations, most from the lovely little shop across the road, Abode.
You can have the place to yourself for a private party – best check on Facebook before visiting in case they have one on. No reservations are taken but you can wait outside and they’ll let you know when a table is ready. Oh, and they don’t take credit cards.There’s a free public car park not far from the tearoom although you do have to get a ticket.
Ambience 8
Value 7
Service 8
Quality 8
Return? Yes.
Living life, loving cake
A x