Just Tickled Pink

As the name may suggest this tea room is girltastic. I must award my male companion points for not running screaming from the extreme pinkness and general frou-frou of the decor. In some ways, with its mismatched chairs and furniture this tearoom reminded me of The Butterfly and Pig. If you are planning a girly get together then this is definitely one for your list. The unremitting pink is partially subdued by a number of black and white Audrey Hepburn prints, and the proprietress seems to be an icon of Audrey style as well. This did make me wonder if Audrey, who was known for minimal chic style and wearing mostly black, is spinning in her grave as a result of being juxtaposed with all this extreme pink.

We had booked high tea for a Wednesday afternoon so predictably things were very quiet and we were the only customers. Apparently they do a roaring trade here on the weekends and they also cater and provide cupcakes for weddings and other functions. We sat at a rather uncomfortable table that was too low to fit our legs under on rickety mismatched chairs. As at the The Tea Room we missed a comfortable armchair or sofa in which to lounge. There was a good sound track though to make up for the lack of live music.

We were offered a glass of (predictably) pink champagne on arrival. We unfortunately had to decline as we were both suffering somewhat from an excessive weekend, but it was a nice touch. Just Tickled Pink model their sandwiches slavishly on those of the Ritz in London. They were excellent. Some of the best I have ever tasted made from fresh multi grain bread with the crusts removed and with fillings like cucumber and mint, salmon and lemon butter and a wonderful ham with a horseradish mayonnaise. The charming pièce de la résistance of the sandwich plate was two cheese sandwiches cut in the shape of a teapot.

Our tea took a long time to arrive and when it did was poured at our table from a grand looking silver teapot. We weren’t given a choice of tea, which I found disappointing and I also prefer to be left with the pot to hand so I can refill as and when I desire. The actual blend has been specially made for Just Tickled Pink by the wonderful Adelaide T bar. It was a Ceylon, Assam and African blend that tasted a little too smoky for my palate. The owner told us it was best drunk black, but I added milk regardless.

After the superb sandwiches we had high hopes for our next “course” (I did miss the wonderful tiered cake stand which gives you an idea of what more is to come and therefore an opportunity to pace yourself somewhat!)

However I have to admit to being disappointed by the sweet offerings of the day. Firstly there were no scones, which in my book is a crime against the very institution of High Tea. The proprietor told us that High Tea didn’t involve scones but afternoon tea did. I have since researched this statement and found that in fact High Tea was originally a working class meal served at 6pm involving cheese on toast, crumpets and kippers along with cake and (yes sometimes scones) and tea to replace the evening meal. The classier version is simply afternoon tea, taken at around 4pm and introduced by the Duchess of Bedford who got peckish waiting for the very late evening meal and asked some friends around for sandwiches, scones and patisserie.

But I digress...

Just Tickled Pink specialise in cupcakes and so instead of scones we were given a plate of sweet miniature cupcakes, one of which was apparently modelled on the Sex and the City red velvet cupcake. The cupcakes were accompanied by a very good, homemade, lemon curd tart with a blueberry on top and (and this is where things went badly wrong) some Belgian truffles of the sort one buys in any supermarket and some still wrapped Lindt squares of chocolate. If I want Lindt chocolate or a pre-packaged Belgian truffle I am quite capable of going to my local supermarket and buying said items. We go to afternoon tea for things we might find difficult to make at home and for patisserie. Neither of these were available at Just Tickled Pink. I found the cupcakes all tasted the same and the icing was too sweet for my taste.

It was a pity after such a brilliant first course that this High Tea was let down when it came to the sweet plates. Friends have told me that they have had scones here before and perhaps the chef hadn’t bothered to come in for such a slow day. Still I went home mourning my absent scone and missing my patisserie.