It was raining steadily and I was beginning to feel like a drowned rat when I spied the Tiny Tea Pot in Epworth Market Place. I decided to go, have some soup to warm me up and investigate the cakes. Hopefully it might also give me chance to dry out.
It is an attractive old fashioned tea room painted out in warm red and magnolia. Tables have red covers with white painted chairs. There were small vases of pink carnations on the tables. Those overlooking the Market place are eagerly sought after. There is a small counter displaying a good range of cakes – coffee and chocolate cakes, Victoria sandwich, lemon curd cake, carrot cake as well as scones , almond slice and millionaires shortbread. There was also a gluten free chocolate cake. For those wanting something lighter they also serve toasted tea cakes and crumpets.
The homemade soup was a choice of tomato and basil or broccoli. I chose the broccoli. I was warned there would be a twenty minute waiting time, but in fact the bowl of steaming hot soup arrived in about 15 minutes. It was a good size portion and was thick, creamy and tasty. The generous size wholemeal roll was soft and fresh and came with two pats of butter. Life was beginning to look better.
I followed this with a slice of chocolate cake. This arrived quickly on a pretty china plate. It was a light and fluffy sponge with a good cocoa flavour and not too sweet. There was a thin buttercream filling, enough to taste but not too much to be sickly. There was more buttercream on top, again well flavoured with cocoa powder. On the top was a soft caramel filled chocolate heart. For those wanting tea, it comes in tea pots with hand knitted tea cosies.
The soup was £3.70 and the cake £2.30. I felt this represented very good value. So much so, I called in again later. I told myself this was purely on the grounds of research to sample another cake. This time it was the coffee cake. Again it was a light well flavoured coffee sponge with butter icing filling and topping. It was nice but unexceptional. The chocolate cake was better.
The Tiny Teapot serve a range of breakfasts which smelt and looked very good and came with plenty of toast. They offer a range of filled rolls or sandwiches which are served with salad and crisps. There are toasties and toasted bagettes (from £3.40) as well as jacket potatoes (from £3) and omelettes (£4.50).
Staff are pleasant and quick to clear tables which are properly wiped down. You pay on your way out. Gluten free food is available.
I may not have dried out much but I enjoyed the food and surroundings. I’ll be back. This may not feature in the “North Lincolnshire Teapot Trail”:http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/your-council/about-your-council/news/archived-news-stories/follow-the-teapot-trail/ but deserves to be.
