The English Tea House
As I type an article on my laptop, the finely dressed waiter delivers a plate of scones with strawberry jam and cream to my table, accompanied by a pot of tea. It starts to rain outside. I’m staring into space, wondering what comes next, but like my mind, the window in front of me is fooging up, obstructing the view of the garden. It might be time to pour a cuppa.
I’m not in England – I’m in Lahore. Nor is this pre-Independence, this is 2014. This is the English teahouse, where you can buy all manner of English cakes and desserts, whether you’re feeling homesick or just looking for a more upmarket cup of chai.
English Tea House’s Grilled Chicken
Grilled Lamb Chops and all sorts of Anglo fare is on offer here; I order the Grilled Chicken served with Mash and Sautéed Vegetables. It’s presented elegantly, although not in a typically English-home kitchen way – but that’s fine by me, because it looks gorgeous.
Scones and tea English Teahouse
And of course I order a scone with a pot of tea. The scone, truth be told, is a bit too hard for my liking, and the tea is disappointingly two Lipton bags hanging in a pot. I do wish I had been served leaf-tea, complete with a strainer and doilies, just to complete the English tea house experience – the scone and tea are something of a let-down, after the delicious main I had just polished off.
The English Tea House’s Garden
That said, the English Tea House (connected with Yum Chinese and Thai Restaurant) remains popular with the well-to-do, and I sometimes see foreigners there – although I haven’t checked if they’re visiting for the mains or for tea. The traditional English Breakfast (sans bacon, of course) is meant to be good here, but Lahore isn’t a city which eats out for breakfast much – at least not in Gulberg. I wonder then if the English Tea House is the type of place which thrives on its name and its surroundings, sheltered from the main road and set behind a small but pleasant garden. If you can look past the teabags, it’s not a bad place to while away a couple of hours in pleasant surroundings, secluded from Lahore’s busy streets outside.
Details
Food: 6/10
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Cost: Mains Rs. 700 – 1,900
24 Sir Syed Road, Gulberg II, Lahore
(042) 35715535
Monday – Friday: 8am – 12am
Saturday and Sunday: 8am – 1am
It’s simply outstanding to know more about the English Tea House from your informative blog. It beautifully covers all the details of Tea House depicted in your piece of writing in a literary way. Your writing register i mean code reflects the tenant and skills of a writer as you are.
Thanks for reading Umbreen! And thanks for your kind words too! You should go there sometime, it’s lovely!
My pleasure! Yeah i will visit the beautiful place to have the English-like taste and culture 🙂