Hello, darlings!
With a jaunty swing in one’s step, Miss Windsor meandered along the historical, cobbled streets of Cambridge, whilst she dreamed of devouring a freshly baked scone or two at Harriet’s Café Tearooms, 16 & 17 Green Street, Cambridge, CB2 3JU, England.
Of course, careful not to lose one’s footing due to an inappropriate choice of footwear – namely kitten heels, I came to an abrupt halt. And there I stood enwreathed by the clear blue sky above and captivated by the golden, sizzling hot sun rays that gently shimmered across the River Cam.
Having arrived in one piece (thank goodness!) at Harriet’s Café Tearooms which was established in 1999 by Harriet, and guaranteed to be A Truly English Experience, Miss Windsor and her assemblage were greeted by what appeared to be a blast from the past!
There stood before us was a beauteous figure of a lady, dressed in traditional black and white attire who kindly showed us to our table.
Darlings, it appeared that we had rolled back in time, to those days of starched white pinnies that were famously sported by the Nippies (waitresses) of London’s most renowned J.Lyons & Co. tea shops and cafes.
In fact, our English culinary marvel, Nigella Lawson, is a direct descendant of the Salmon family who co-founded J.Lyons & Co. during the 1800s – Well, what do ya know!
In 1932 Harriet’s beloved grandmother Mary celebrated her 12th birthday at the Lyons’ Corner House on Oxford Street/Tottenham Court Road. Apparently, she envisaged working there herself one day – as a Nippie one presumes?
Well, isn’t life just full of surprises! 67 years later and Harriet opens up her very own tea room – What a wonderful way to pay homage to Grandmother Mary!
As quick as a flash, one of Harriet’s very own Nippies furnished us with the menu, and with haste, I ordered the traditional afternoon tea pageantry – to be served with a piping hot teapot of Harriet’s Anniversary Blend Tea.
In fact, a good few years ago, and with a desire to satisfy some of their clientele’s richer palates (including Miss Windsor’s!), stronger flavoursome teas from Assam, Kenya, and Rwanda were fused together by a local tea merchant, Primo Coffee, thus creating this bespoke blend of tea.
Whilst waiting for the afternoon tea goodies to arrive I explored my surroundings, and I immediately spied a baby grand piano, but unfortunately, we had just missed the pianist’s last performance. Nevertheless, such a magnificent, yet elegant instrument glistened brightly beneath the spotlights; similar to the hard lacquered shell of a ginormous black beetle!
One’s beady eye then caught sight of a wonderful display of Harriet’s merchandise – gift sets, shopping bags, tea caddies, and so on. I say such exquisite products would make an ideal gift for that lucky recipient, or as a souvenir for your good self.
My afternoon tea medley arrived very promptly. Tiers of sandwiches, scones, and sponge cakes (cakes made locally by Tiptree). Of course, I couldn’t wait to split open one of the freshly baked scones, which are baked in-house every morning.
The thick, velvety, Cornish clotted cream spread oh so easily onto the fruity and surprisingly bouncy texture of the scones. Followed by a couple of generous dollops of strawberry jam, bestrewn with large pieces of fruit.
Now moving onto something one describes as short, dark, and handsome – the rather ravishing Chocolate Sponge! Delightfully sexy, with a squidgy melt-in-the-mouth texture that entered one’s cake-hole with ease (Oh, I say!).
Miss Windsor’s truly chocolatey, yet self-indulgent brief affair with Mr Ravishing turned out to be the ultimate ending to her afternoon tea experience at Harriet’s Tearooms.
Darlings, if you thoroughly enjoyed my review, one presumes you fancy a jolly good brew? or maybe a sweet treat or two?, then Harriet’s Café Tearooms is just the place for you.
If you’re lucky enough to bag yourself a table at Harriet’s, then Miss Windsor highly recommends a munch on Mr Ravishing (naughty!), a scone or two, plus a quaff of Harriet’s Anniversary Blend Tea.
Cheerio for now,
Great pics and love the gondola moment