I had one last voucher after my mad spending session over
the past few months. I’m talking about Groupon and Living Social Deals by the
way. I always seem to find things and then buy the vouchers, before I know it I've
got like ten to use. I then use them just before they run out, or normally on
the last day if I’m cutting it fine.
This one was for Mrs Pumphrey’s Curious Leaves Tea Bar. I paid £10 and got a
voucher for £20 to spend in the shop on whatever it was that I fancied. Having
never been before, I didn't know what to expect.
Curious Leaves is a gorgeous antique looking cubby based in the Grainger Market
in Newcastle. If you've never been to the Grainger Market before then what the
hell are you waiting for? It’s been ages since I went and just from going the
other day I've found so many cool and eclectic places that I just have to
visit. Among them was a bakery, cake shop and a place selling authentic Turkish
street food. My mouth is watering just thinking about it all.
As soon as I spotted Curious Leaves, I fell in love instantly.
It is the tiniest little shop. One side has a gorgeous looking tea bar. High stools
sitting against a counter-top, rustic shelves in the background showcasing teas
and quirky tea pots and cups. The other side has tables and chairs, not just any
old chairs though; no these were like miniature church pews. It was part little
school house, part café. There was a fridge with sandwiches and cake and
things too.
Above all of that though, Curious Leaves is about the tea.
Their menu was extensive. I’m not really a tea drinker, but I do enjoy the odd
cup of herbal tea. (Or I force myself to enjoy it anyways. I think the more you
drink it the more you start to like it.) I love chamomile tea now. They had
guides on the wall about how to brew the perfect tea. You could make your own
tea blends too.
I went with my mam for a little girly catch up. We both
ordered some carrot cake. She then got just your average cup of tea and I went
for chamomile tea (shock)
The carrot cake was amazing, so moist and tasty. Sometimes
you go places that specialise in one thing and the other things they sell aren't
up to scratch. That definitely wasn't the case here. My chamomile tea was
something else entirely. It came on a little wooden tray in a clear tea pot.
You could see the flowers inside. There was a timer too and a flask with more
hot water in if I needed it. The lady that served us was so friendly and
helpful. She told me the recommended brewing time of the tea and when it was
ready the timer would go off. It was such a nice touch and made the trip for
me.
What we ordered came to about £7 ish. Since I still had a lot to use from the voucher I decided to get one of those all in one teapot and mug things. (Not using proper English at all there, but you know what I mean.) It has a cool retro design on it and I hope it's going to help me get into drinking more tea.
The shop filled up quite fast when we were in there so its obviously a popular place, which I don't doubt for a second. I definitely want to go back to Curious Leaves. Maybe I'll be more bold next time and try one of the more 'out there' flavours.
Opening times are 09:00-17:00 Monday to Saturday.
Have any of you been to Curious Leaves before?
