FOOD&DRINK

It’s easy to find tea in Bristol. From street vendors and independent shops to established café chains and artisan delis, tea is brewed and sipped on every corner throughout the day. But what do we really know about tea? Are we drinking the right kind? Do we have a reliable tea haunt in the city that we turn to when the usual cup of PG tips gets a bit dreary? If you’re in the market for some overdue tea knowledge and a dependable tea-only spot to make it all happen, Lahloo Pantry is the one that beckons.

The first outpost of Bristolian tea company Lahloo Tea, Lahloo Pantry is a self-proclaimed modern tea room with over 30 loose leaf teas on offer. All of the teas sold here are organic and fairly traded, brought to you directly from some of the world’s finest small tea producers. A member of the cheery and well-informed staff – referred to as ‘infusionists’ – will walk you through the differences between an oolong and a green tea, as well as which black or white tea to select when pairing it with buttered crumpets or a light salad. Pu-erh and herbal teas are also available for those looking to go macrobiotic or to curb their caffeine intake, respectively.

Taking the “modern” of “a very modern tea room” seriously, Lahloo Pantry does more than just tea and biscuits. On any given day you’ll find yourself with an array of breakfast, brunch and lunch options on the seasonal menu prepared daily in the basement kitchen. Items like mini pizettes with fig, mascarpone and prosciutto and lemon Victoria sponge cake keep hunger satiated while teas revitalise and comfort. (For traditionalists, a classic afternoon tea is available every day from 3-5pm for £13.50 a person.)

The décor is decidedly minimal – the colour scheme is mostly white with splashes of bright Lahloo red paired with wooden floors and clean lines. Edibles are artfully arranged on the main counter on glass cake stands and rustic wooden boards, while oversized Lahloo Tea tins line the upstairs wall. On the Tuesday afternoon I visited, I was guided through the unfamiliar blends by a knowledgeable infusionist and recommended the White Whisper – a sweet Kenyan tea with a trace of apricot – for my first official Lahloo brew. Coupled with red peppers stuffed with quinoa followed by a slice of freshly baked banana bread, it made for a surprisingly healthy teatime. Lahloo Pantry delivers on its promise – the afternoon made for a memorable modern tea room experience. (Rosa Park)

LAHLOO PANTRY 12 KINGS RD, BRISTOL, BS8 4AB, TEL. 0117 329 2029, WEB: WWW.LAHLOOPANTRY.CO.UK

Copyright Rosa Park 2012