Guest contributor, Nathalie Jochum shares one of her secret destinations ...
For me, a trip to Salisbury isn't complete without a stop at the Boston Tea Party cafe. It's fantastic - fresh cakes, hearty soups and sandwiches, the welcoming smell of coffee and a big menu written up on a blackboard.
The mismatched furniture sets the mood perfectly, making it feel homely and yet still stylish. As a result there's a truly relaxed atmosphere and everyone from young kids and their grandparents to business folk and students sit comfortably along side each other.
And my personal favourite - the white hot chocolate, you MUST give it a try.
Although the cafe isn't a one off, it is one of only seven branches and the owners like to think of themselves as a happy cluster rather than a clunky chain. In striving to achieve this effect, each cafe is individual and nurtures close links to the surrounding community, supporting local artists, charities & businesses by using the cafe's space & community notice boards to promote events & organisations.
In
the tea-room, smart-suited men show people to tables and traditionally-attired
waitresses scurry here and there bearing vanilla slices, fruit cakes, caramel
chocolate hearts and “plump and fruity Fat Rascals, with bright cherry eyes and
cheeky almond grins” on silver-plated three tier cake stands.
And
of course as a Swiss chocolatier, chocolates had to feature heavily too. So you stretch the experience by taking away
a few little treats for later.
All images (c) Betty's of Harrogate
