John Lewis Espresso Bar - Kingston

by Bryony Harrison (subscribe)

The other day, Mum and I decided that it had been a long time since were were ladies who lunch in Kingston. Despite the bad weather, we put on our coats and thermals, and made the trip.



We decided to dine at John Lewis's Espresso Bar, which for a long time was our favourite place to eat. Over the years their menu has changed though, and they have now cut right back on the kind of food they serve. You used to be able to get the most gorgeous tuna panini there, but a change in chef or equipment sadly saw the quality drop. After a while, panini dropped off the menu all together.







Despite that, they still have some tasty smackerals. Whenever I go there, I am sorely tempted by the cakes on display. On this visit, there was chocolate cake, Earl Grey tea bread, and some Christmas cupcakes.



Also available were scones and tea cakes suitable for an afternoon tea. Mum and I both bought a cherry scone for £1.95, and I also ordered a spinach, tomato, and cheese filo tart for £5.95.



While Mum had her usual pot of tea (in a time honoured dribbly tea pot), I had a glass of water - well, I thought I was going to get it in a glass. It turns out that you now have to serve yourself your own water, and they only provide you with plastic cups.



We sat down in our usual spot, overlooking the church lawn, which is currently home to the Eden Crafts Fair. My filo tart looked very nice, but I think it was too expensive for the amount you got. I also discovered upon cutting into it that there was no spinach or tomato. Instead I had mushrooms. I was rather confused about this, because the tarts were pre-cooked, waiting on the counter to be served, and nowhere on the menu was there the option of a mushroom tart.

Even though I didn't get what I ordered, the mushrooms were lovely and buttery, and very enjoyable.



As I had my tart, Mum tucked into the side salad and then picked her cherry scone. But when she broke into it, she was disappointed to find that there were hardly any cherries inside. Often with John Lewis, it is the luck of the draw, and it just so happened that I got the prize. My scone was brimming with cherries all around the edges, and then when I broke into it, there were even more large pieces lurking. Mum watched me with jealous eyes. Don't blame me, she had first pick.

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Why? Good place for afternoon tea

When: Mon-Fri: 9.30am-8pm, Sat: 9am-7pm, Sun: 11am-5pm

Phone: 020 8547 3000

Website: www.johnlewis.com

Where: John Lewis, Kingston

Cost: Cakes & Scones between £1.95-£3, hot meals £5.95

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