What do you do when you have a collection of over 200 vintage china tea cups? Lulu Gwynne decided the best thing to do was to open Betty Blythe a "fine food pantry" and tearooms in Brook Green. Lulu invited me to come in for lunch one day and have a chat to her about Betty Blythe. Over a pot (vintage of course) of Slurpee tea this is what we talked about...
Stylish and charming Betty Blythe owner, Lulu Gwynne
Who is Betty Blythe?
We called the tearooms Betty Blythe as we are on Blythe road in Brooks Green and Betty Blythe was the name of a silent movie star in the 1920's.
What's on offer at Betty Blythe?
I try to keep the really popular products in all the time but I do love to flirt with different products. We have a strong focus on English products. In the morning we have lovely croissants, then at lunch time we move onto sandwiches and in the afternoon the kids come in for their treats. Groceries are available all day such as organic eggs, bread and milk
How did you become a tea room owner?
I have a background in marketing and events. It took me about four years to establish Betty Blythe and we have now been open for a year and a half. Betty Blythe is a great platform for events and we have a lot going on. We do afternoon teas (£15.50) with finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and unlimited tea. We also do hens parties and jewlerry making and afternoon tea parties for children.
Where do you stand on the pressing issue of when the milk should go in for a cup of tea?
The traditional way is to put the milk in first. I think this started when people used to drink tea from very fine china so putting the milk in first meant that there was less risk of cracking the china with boiling water.
Goodies on offer at Betty Blythe including sandwiches and gingerbread men
I tried one of Betty Blythe's sandwiches, which Lulu describes as "the type of sandwich you would like to make for yourself at home". It was filled with lovely thick ham carved off the bone and lettuce and tomato (£4.50). To be truthful I think it was a little bit nicer than the sort of sandwiches I make for myself at home.
Betty Blythe is a really charming little store, the only problem is that seating upstairs is very limited (there are only two tables) so if those seats are full you will be relegated to the seating in the basement seating which is a little dark and musty. It's probably a better option for a takeaway sandwich or a quick cup of tea from some of the lovely vintage crockery.
Essentials
Details: 73 Blythe road, Brook Green W14 OHP (Ph 0207 602 1177) Tube: Shepherds Bush
Damage: Reasonable
6/10
Links
If you liked reading this you might be interested in reading about afternoon tea at Sketch in Soho. If you want to make your own afternoon tea this recipe for berry tartlets would fit the bill perfectly.
Gourmet Chick was a guest of Betty Blythe.
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