I liked the atmosphere inside, rather low lit, and eclectic, with a hotch potch of random art works scattered about. The duplex table layout leads to a well stocked bookstore. At the end of the bookstore is a windowless, over lit extention to the cafe, which I assume people are happy to sit in when the main cafe is busy. The eggs benedict I had was good, perfectly cooked eggs, capers good. Bacon could have been less carbonated, but ok. The tea however wasnt served in a standard teapot, but in a glass jar type thing, so it went cold too quickly. The quality or portion size of tea leaves wasnt adequate, given the name of the establishment. Never really fully 'brewed' as a cuppa, despite swirling, steeping etc. All this was tolerable, pleasant even,...overall. But what marred the whole experience was the unstinting hostility of our waitress/ server. My guest commented a few times as to whether we had annoyed her inadvertently, or if we had transgressed in some unknown way the ettiquette of this place. We tried a few times to smile, and 'gee' her up by being over nice, so as to get things back on track - maintain that unwritten social contract in polite English life, but it simply wasnt happening. In the end I asked for bill, tapped machine silently, didnt look at her, walked off with no interaction and thought " thank goodness for that, never again". I wouldnt rush to return, the Tea wasnt out of this world ( it should be the best) and I dont like being made to feel im some kind of a**#@le when I'm not. Not sure if I tipped, as I needed to get out pronto. Hopefully I didnt. The gentleman working there seemed pleasant enough however, but unfortunately he didnt serve us.
The Art of Tea – Didsbury