Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Pop in to an island of tranquillity in Long Street where it’s tea time all day long
CARYN DOLLEY
STROLL down Long Street and you could become overwhelmed by the wide variety of restaurants, dazed by scores of brightly lit signs and bombarded by countless chalkboards advertising cocktails and shots on special.
Step into number 213 and delicious, aromatic, wafting tranquillity.
Lady Bonin’s Tea Bar is an unexpected retreat in the centre of Cape Town’s bustling party hub. Cafe: Lady Bonin’s Tea Bar Address: 213 Long Street, Cape Town city centre Contact number: 021 447 1741 Operating hours: Weekdays 8.30am to 4.30pm Dish eaten: Tumeric Golden Milk (medium) and an Aphrodite tea cake Price: R24 for the tea, R20 for the cake
Ready-made teas are ordered to take away and there is a little courtyard where you can relax and sip.
A shelved wall displays items to please the palate of any tea lover.Clear glass teapots are perched on some shelves.
On the wall opposite is a tantalising menu – teas on tap include Rooibos Choc Chilli Chai Latte, Pumpkin Chai Latte and Hojicha Black Sesame Seed Chino (apparently meant to promote radiant skin).
These come in a medium or large cup and go for between R18 and R34.
A variety of little cakes and cookies are on offer. Think Rooibos Choc Chilli Chai brownies and Earl Grey Ginger cookies.
I settled on a medium cup of Tumeric Golden Milk, a combination of tumeric, spices, coconut milk and honey.
The wonderfully yellowy-gold concoction is intended to be an immune booster.
To go with it, I ordered an Aphrodite Tea Loaf. The Turmeric Golden Milk wasn’t sweet as I expected – it was mellow, yet spicy.
And it went perfectly with the superbly moist, sweet, deliciously spiced tea cake.
It was a match made in tea-infused heaven. I don’t need someone to read my tea leaves to know I’ll be heading back to Lady Bonin’s.