Casual but GREAT tea ???
 

Will only be in London for 48 hours and will be out going from place to place all day.<BR>WOuld like to have a GREAT tea but we will NOT be dressed up - jeans probably.<BR><BR>Where can we go and not feel out of place ----- yet have a very nice tea?<BR><BR>Or am I asking for too much?<BR><BR>Thanks

Hi<BR>I've had pleasant and tasty afternoon teas at two branches of the Richoux chain: the one across the street from Harrods, and the one (street name escapes me) on the side street one block behind the Grosvenor Place hotel, also near the American embassy.<BR>However, recently someone wrote here that Richoux, at least some branches, have gone a ways down hill.<BR><BR>My other suggestion would be the Fountain restaurant on the ground floor of Fortnum and Masons. Convenient location, very good tea foods. I don't know that I'd call it great, but good enough for a casual afternoon.

Hi<BR> You mght have a pleasant, but you will never have a *great*, tea if you insist on wearing jeans.

Hi<BR><BR>you could try a &quot;char and a wad&quot; at one of the cab teastops ?<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR>

You may want to try The Orangery at Kensington Palace. I've seen several people wearing jeans, seems like a casual place for tea. I've enjoyed it myself a time or two.

Here's a thread on &quot;ordinary tea&quot; that you may enjoy:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1346445

Second Elaine's suggestion. Maybe my comment she is referring to on Richoux - I now view it as a pretty place which is a bit of a rip off.

Thank you for the suggestions.

Great tea is available all over London but jeans limits your access to the kind of traditional afternoon tea served at Browns or the Savoy. Fortnum and Mason is probably your best choice for the more traditional tea.<BR><BR>Otherwise, consider Patisserie Valerie (44 Old Compton Street)...wonderful coffee, tea and to die for pastries in a very artsy and european setting. Definitely casual.

Try also Maison Berthaux (sp) which is just off Old Compton Street in Soho, next to a (infamous) pub called the Coach and Horses. It is really old and higgledy-piggledy, and has been the haunt of many a London legend. Sorry I don't remember the street, but I can just picture it now. (I have been there several times and is good.)