Hello Happy Bunny

Lovely Christmas cards, plus some Christmas tea and hot chocolate from  teahouse in Bath keeping me warm and happy this winter!

On a Sunday afternoon, Latte and Lunch was quite busy, which shows how popular it is. Unfortunately, we had just missed breakfast so we decided to try a cream tea (£3.75 for one). With good quality tea and scone (would be even better if the scone had been warmed up), it makes for a tasty and inexpensive afternoon treat!

We arrived on a Thursday afternoon. Luckily for us, the sun was shining as we made our way to the Eteaket tea room on Frederick Street. Eteaket is famed for its teas, and they supply many local restaurants and other cafes. The tea room itself is quite spacious and full of customers, which shows how popular it is. As well as teas, light lunches and afternoon teas are also on the menu; something to suit any occasion. I opted for a high tea, with Royal Earl Grey tea. The high tea is priced at £8.45 and includes half a sandwich of your choice (I had Scottish Ham and Cheddar Cheese), scone (fruit or plain) and a mini cake (I think I had lemon cake). Tea is also included. Eteaket uses loose leaf tea, good quality and better tasting. The waitress also brough a mini timer. When the sands run out, the tea has brewed for long enough and is ready to drink after you remove the filter. What a beautiful cup of tea! The food was tasty and filling too, making it a great value high tea...

Quiche Lorraine with chunky chips. A tasty and filling lunch!

This week, I went back to Tea By The Taw and Barnstaple Coffee Shop. I tried a Tea By The Taw Breakfast this time. Breakfast is served until 11am. For £6.45, the breakfast includes two local pork sausages, double-yolk egg, 2 slices of bacon, mushrooms, tomato, and a slice of toast. Tea or coffee is also included. Good value and a good quality breakfast. Local produce is used, and the best of the best ingredients are used here. A very tasty and filling way to start the day! I also went to Barnstaple Coffee Shop to try the hot drink and cake deal - for £3.80, customers can get a slice of homemade cake and coffee/tea. I opted for a slice of chocolate cake (with chocolate cream, fudge and buttons on the top) and a cafe latte. A lovely way to spend an afternoon!

Tea On The Green ( www.teaonthegreen.com ) is a popular eating establishment for locals and tourists, situated just beside Exeter Cathedral. Serving hot and cold food, coffee and teas and fresh homemade cakes, it draws a lot of appeal. I ventured in about half past 2 in the afternoon, just in time for afternoon tea. On the menu, it states that no cream teas or afternoon teas will be served from 12pm to 2.30pm because the kitchen are normally busy with hot food orders, so I have arrived just in time! I ordered the "Exeter" - for £8.45, you get a pot of loose leaf Breakfast Blend English tea, salmon and cucumber sandwiches, and a slice of cake of your own choosing. There were so many that sounded good, but in the end I opted for the Bramley Apple Tart. Salmon and Cucumber sandwiches Bramley Apple Tart, served warm with cream! This is a good value afternoon tea, and I think it is great that you can choose your own cake. I really liked the apple tart, it loo...

It seems like lately I am doing a tour of Barnstaple's eating establishments, and why not? The town has many hidden gems. This time, I went to Barnstaple Coffee Shop, and had my favourite: cream tea. Fantastic food and good quality Clipper Earl Grey tea. I would like to return, and try one of their all-day breakfasts, or any pieces of cake which catch my eye...

Another place I have heard good things about is The Corner Cafe in Barnstaple. Situated at the end of the high street, The Corner Cafe provides hot food, cream teas and homemade cakes. It was very busy and both the top floor (which looks much nicer) and the ground floor was full of customers. I ordered an English tea and an FFLT (fish finger, lettuce and tomato, I think) sandwich. There was an incident in which I found a hair in my food, but the staff dealt with the situation very quickly and well, and offered to make me a fresh lunch. The food itself was a very big portion, very filling! The idea of a fish finger sandwich reminds me of when I was younger. The chips are also said to be homemade. The staff are very friendly and happy, which makes the experience very good. The food is not too expensive either - good if you are looking for a quick bite to eat whilst in town.