Maison Bertaux is brilliant. But it polarises (read all the comments here). For some it's rude, for some it's characterful. I believe it's the latter, and I'd forgive it anything because they do fabulous cakes and a lovely cup of tea.
It's the full pot of tea, strainer arrangment which makes you feel like you've had a bit of a ceremonial moment, without being too old lady and shortcake tea-room. It's a very good place for watching the odd bits of Soho go by, I didn't go inside this visit but I plan to go back. The interior is tiny and lovely (and probably too small and dark for me to take decent discrete pictures)
This flower sums it up. Nice. Elegant. And a tiny bit worn.
i think i'll call in on friday. first trip into the city in a long time, and it's conveniently next door to frith st!
Posted by: damien | April 24, 2006 at 03:40 PM
i went yesterday, and was thoroughly confused. the shop to the right of the cafe that has chairs outside it - are they part of Maison Bertaux? there was a strange, very pimp-esque man loitering at the entrance of his minicab doorway nextdoor, but after you got used to him he added to the environment.
when my tea arrived, it took me a while to work out why i was given hot water - i assumed that after the first cup, you poured the extra hot water in to make some less-strong tea. it worked well for me, even if thats not what it was intended for. i did find the tea especially strong, and did feel a little queazy later on (i take it black)
however, the cafe seemed to have an especially "london" charm about it (something my swedish friend and myself (irish) had not yet encountered in our 9 months in the city. a conversation that started in the cafe literally went on for 4 hours as we aimlessly walked around london
i thoroughly recommend this cafe.
Posted by: damien | April 29, 2006 at 04:13 PM
I have just started an MA project on interesting cafes and have visited a couple in your archive. I particularly enjoyed Maison Bertaux because of its quirky decor, scatty but lovely owner and fantastic array of pastries- and I was allowed to take photos! There were some interesting types in there aswell, which made my time there thoroughly enjoyable! Will definitely be going there again.
Posted by: sarah | May 14, 2007 at 08:27 PM
Maison Bertaux, is a great Tea shop / Cafe, after reading Damiens recommendation, how could you not rush for a pot of tea.
Its a greet place to meet up and have a cuppa and a cake, and yes you do get a pot of hot water, and they even have pastry forks...
London Living at its best.
Sam
Posted by: Sam | August 05, 2007 at 07:30 PM
I have been a Maison Bertaux fan for more than 20 years, partly for the proper tea but also because the pastries are so scrummy. The tables upstairs are too close together, the man in front of the minicab shop next door (he seems to have been there for ages) is a strange addition, but the whole place works. One of my favourites, because of the quirks; my last raspberry tart from MB had 25 raspberries on it, which certainly was a plus as well. Yum.
Posted by: Marybeth Richards | August 16, 2007 at 07:18 PM