Miss Marple's Tea Room - Emerald

It was cold and raining when we arrived at Miss Marple's. We appreciated the roaring fire and cosy surrounds. Unfortunately the seating arrangements are squashed like sardines. The tables are so close together that a lady on the table next to us draped her coat over the back of her chair and the coat slid into our bowl of chips and salad! You can clearly hear conversations on other tables. We ordered two pies but you have to order salad and chips separately. The pie was bland and we had to saturate our food with salt to give it some taste. The salad was presented nicely but the salad dressing had sunk to the bottom of the salad rendering it dry and tasteless. The chips were nice and not greasy. The waffle was edible but not spectacular. It was a very expensive lunch and you are paying more for the "novelty" of a Marple's theme tea room. The staff member who directed us to our table was not friendly but the two waitresses who served our table were friendly. At check out the staff member did not smile or make eye contact. Unfortunately Miss Marple's Tea Room lacks 'soul'.

Had to wait 1,1/2 hours for a table. So as it was into the middle of the afternoon we settled for a Devonshire tea. A BIG mistake. The scones were more like a cake cooked in a large baking dish and cut into squares. Not like a traditional scone at all. We also ran out of jam and cream so had to leave 1/2 a scone. Ordered 2 HOT STRONG coffees and they were neither. Went cold before we were halfway through them. Next table ordered Pastie and salad, $16 plus for a pastie and a bit of salad on a small plate. With so many places in the area offering the same sort of meals without the long waits we certainly won't be going back.

Have reviewed this place before, but this time I ordered Scones with jam and cream. I was faced with two tall cake like structures. When I queried the staff, I was told they were made like that in "Middle England". I assume they mean the midlands. I've never been served anything resembling this anywhere in the UK. They just weren't scones as I expect them, no crunchy exterior, and they were a bit doughy. Order something else!!!

This place is certainly warm and cosy on a winters day. But it is so cosy the only way to sit at some of the tables is to move the table out, sit down, replace table and heaven forbid if you need to move during the repast.The menu is a little unusual and the food does not live up to it's descriptions. there were three of us and all felt the food was ordinary. The service is both friendly and efficient, shame about the food.

Arriving at Sassafras, I saw Miss Marbles.The first which struck me was the old design of the building, inside the tablecloths covered tables give a beautiful touch to a great selection of beverages and light meals.The Devonshire Tea is my favourite. The disadvantage is, it's so popular that I suggest to get in early to avoid the crowds