Tea Smith

John Kennedy’s specialist emporium is a showcase for extremely fine teas, & part of the pleasure of dropping in to sample & buy are the shreds of knowledge you pick up in the process – especially if the man himself is around. The delicacy with which premium teas from China, Taiwan & Korea are served here is a marvel to behold, from the handmade Japanese ceramics to the William Curley patisserie. You can call in for a single cup of nutty, creamy-tasting roast oolong or Japanese sencha, or embark on the afternoon tea-tasting menu (£25), which matches exquisite pastries & chocolates with three distinguished Chinese brews. The shop is filled with intriguing paraphernalia & beautifully packaged goodies, but it’s more therapeutic than that; spending a little time at the counter pondering the euphoric effects of an aged Yunnan Pu’er is guaranteed to relax the most uptight soul.