BEST TEA IN LONDON

The secret is, folks, that the best cuppa is one served to you by loved one in the privacy of your own parlour. Failing that, its best to make it yourself, and therefore, if you screw up, you only have yourself to blame. But if you find yourself in dear olde London Town, destitute and desolate and desperate for a cuppa, I suggest heading for the few surviving 'greasy spoon' type cafes that have been all but wiped out thanks to those ghastly fast food chains.

These emporiums can usually only be found in the back streets and Industrial areas. Run by generations of mainly Italian families, they employ the old fashioned stainless steel urns and steam puffing plumbing that, through a time honoured industrial tea producing process, stews and brews the tea in a real teapot for that full fabulous flavour. None of that 'teabag dumped in a cup' nonsense. No polystyrene cups either, you get the complete mug and spoon blow-out, cute sixties decor, and charming service. You can also get a cardiac Fry-up or home made cooked meals that complement a cup of Tea perfectly.

Sorry. I was coming to that. My favourite greasy cafe of all time, Alfredo's of Islington, has sadly been slightly gutted and ruined. I used to love going there for the tea and decor. I now have to refer to other options. Go to my links page and follow directions to the Classic Cafes website. Or, simply walk the endless streets of London, as I do, until you come to a sign saying 'Cafe'. Peek through the window, and make sure it's an old style greasy spoon, in other words, a great British cafe. If it is, go inside, and say to the bloke behind the counter "Cup of tea, please". Then sit down and drink it, whilst watching the world go by outside.