There is nothing more fulfilling than hard work paying off and your dreams becoming a reality. 

This is true for Saima Syeda who has come a long way from having her first pop up at Thornton Heath’s CR7 market in December last year. Qualified pastry chef Saima has opened Croydon’s first vintage tea room in the House of Fraser in Croydon’s centrale shopping centre. 

Here Aisha Jade, Chronicle food reviewer enjoys sampling tea and cake.

The tea room looks very pristine with clear white floors and pastel green, pink and floral chairs.

I was greeted with a welcoming ‘Hello’ from Saima herself as I looked at the display at the front on the main counter offering bake well tarts, lemon drizzle squares and red velvet cupcakes to name a few. 

Test tubes of the 20 teas that were available were presented on the two front tables for customers to view. A concept that I found to be rather cool and unique. Exciting flavours such as apple and ginger green tea, Christmas tea and Jasmine tea were in these tubes.  

I chose the sensational Bora Bora tea: a blend of English breakfast, Earl Grey and mixed fruits. I also decided to go with the Ferrero Roche cake slice. 

My order came in a beautiful flower designed tea set. Once poured the tea gave a off a lovely sweet scent. Not to mention the rich vibrant cerise pink colour of the tea. 

My cake slice came garnished with a Ferrero Roche chocolate on top and had just the right amount of sweetness and the slice was the perfect size. 

Afternoon tea is also available which I found to be a bonus. What’s more is you get a bundle of sweet cakes and tea all for under £20!

On a whole I was greeted with smiles, the bakery was well designed and I enjoyed my tea and cake. I could see Saima’s tea room expanding in to a chain, being in other House of Frasers and even luxury stores like Selfridges. 

AISHA’S RATING

Service 3.7

Atmosphere and setting 3.5 

Food quality 4 

Food presentation 4.5 

Overall: 3.9