Helen and I stumbled upon Gracie-Ann’s quite by accident whilst walking around Port Solent near Portsmouth. We happened to pass a sign pointing us to a new tearoom. Well, how could we resist? Up the spiral staircase took us to Gracie-Ann’s and after having a quick look at the cakes decided to sit down and have a bite to eat. The menu has something for everyone. For example a full English breakfast for £5.50, boiled egg & soldiers – goodness it’s been a long time since I’ve had them – soup, sandwiches, baguettes, jacket potatoes and of course, delicious looking cakes.
We weren’t starving so decided to share sandwiches and a cake. The staff are all young and friendly and we got chatting to the girl serving us who has been there for 3 weeks – the tearoom has only been opened since the middle of December I believe – and was thrilled that this was her first job after searching for months since leaving school.
There were plenty of cakes and I recognised a few of them, especially the strawberry & white chocolate cake and I found out that most, if not all are made by Beceries. Beceries had the tearoom back in October but sadly closed after only a few short weeks – we didn’t even get round to writing their review although we had visited on three separate occasions and really liked it. Luckily they continue to bake tasty cakes and can also be found in Southsea once a month at the Hampshire Farmer’s Market.
We enjoyed Prawns in a Marie Rose sauce with fresh granary bread, a small side salad drizzled with balsamic glaze and a little coleslaw.
We couldn’t decide what cake to share. I fancied the strawberry & white chocolate cake, carrot cake or the lemon drizzle cake but we had to make a decision on just one unfortunately and the carrot cake won. It was very tasty and packed with fruit, it could have been a little moister around the edges which is strange as I’ve not had that before with Beceries cakes. It had a lovely sweet creamy frosting centre and topping.
The cappuccinos were lovely and large, Helen had one with toasted marshmallow syrup. Too sweet for me but she loved it. The place is nicely decorated with fresh colourful tulips upon the white tables, pretty bunting strung up, duck egg green counter – I do like that colour – cupcake pictures on the walls and light music playing in the background. If you’re lucky, grab a seat by the windows which have lovely views of the yachts. By the time we left the place was full.
We shall definitely return to Gracie-Ann’s, well I shall along with friends and my husband as Helen is off today on her travels back-packing around Asia before settling in Australia for who knows how long? A very exciting time for Helen but a very, very sad time for me. I shall miss her dearly.
Living life, loving cake
A x
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