Ditchling Tearooms, East Sussex

Afternoon tea? A lovely and elegant tearoom situated in the quant village of Ditchling in East Sussex.

We entered a dainty looking cake shop, with windows and display counters deliciously decorated with a wonderful selection of cakes. We followed the building round and entered a room, which felt like I was in my grandmother's living room. It had a cosy cottage-like feel, with a warm friendly atmosphere. We sat by the fireplace in the back room and looked at the menu.

The cosy, traditional fireplace we sat next to.

The menu consisted of what one would expect from a tea rooms. Afternoon tea, sandwiches, cakes, scones, but also cooked food such as fish and chips. I decided to go for my favourite Sandwich; Prawn Cocktail. The sandwich came with a nice salad garnish and a handful of Sweet Chilli flavoured Kettle Chips. My partner enjoyed a Coronation Chicken Sandwich, described as ‘lovely’. I enjoyed my sandwich too, I must admit you can’t really go too wrong with a Sandwich, but this was very tasty.

After our Sandwiches, we just couldn’t resist going to select a slice of cake. We went back out to the shop front and we were met with a difficult decision, which cake? I decided to choose a tempting slice of Sponge cake.

It may have become clear by now that I am a fan of cake. The picture may actually say more than my words, but the cake was exquisite, obviously home made and well produced. The cake had three delicious layers, illustrated with tasty butter icing and jam. We enjoyed this gem, with a pot of good old British Tea for two.

My partner and I served a very dignified afternoon with pleasant conversation over afternoon tea, in atmospheric tearooms, and I couldn't be more relaxed. The service was good and the food excellent, a really good choice for a nice quiet spot of Afternoon tea.

Ditchling Tearooms

01273 842708

6 West Street


Ditchling


Hassocks


BN6 8TS

Fancy an Indian? Banana Leaf Restaurant, Sevenoaks.

For a friends Birthday we went out for a curry. It was a big table with 15 people. 

The menu was fairly extensive, had all the favorite and regular curry dishes, as well as a whole extra menu dedicated to the house specialties. 

 

A friend and I shared a selection from the menu, Chicken Korma, Pilau Rice, Onion Bhajis, Peshwari Naan and Poppadom and Chutney selection.

The Pilau rice wasn't its usual bright yellow shade so as I dished some into my plate I wondered whether it had been mistaken for a plain boiled rice. I cautiously piled my fork with the rice and as soon as I gave it a taste and it had all the taste and aroma of Pilau rice, just not the colour. It made the rice taste and appear more wholesome; to have the nice Pilau taste and perhaps no added colours.

Chicken Korma is a standard, mild, creamy curry, and as much as I like my curries, I'm not a fan of the spiciness, which is why a korma is my perfect and always a regular choice. This Korma had the generic, yellow and creamy look to it. Some curries can be quite heavy, but despite the creaminess of the curry, it was really light and was full of the mild coconut flavour.

I myself used to work in hospitality waiting on tables, so I know how challenging big tables can be but the staff were efficient, attentive and very friendly. The Birthday girl was happy claiming, "it's the best Indian I've ever had. I’ve never been to Sevenoaks before, but the restaurant seemed to be in a nice area, away from the town, but with plenty of on-street parking. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you fancy Indian Cuisine in this area.

Feel inspired? Or hungry? Visit their website;

http://www.bananaleafcuisine.com/

All pictures copyright © 2012 Banana Leaf Indian Restaurant | Seven Oaks | Kent | United Kingdom