One more Dunk and you're OUT!

This gave me a bit of a giggle this morning, brings back memories of a certain restaurateur in Darwin who used to go BESERK if a diner dared move the fake ‘rose in a vase’ centrepiece so they could actually SEE the person they were having dinner with. He used to also throw a hissy fit at anyone requesting a doggy bag and would slam an old plastic ice cream container down with all of the leftovers unceremoniously glopped together. He WAS good entertainment value though, and its sounds like the ‘Tea Cosy’ in Brighton is just as much fun. The owner of the seaside tea shop is taking 'tearoom etiquette' to a whole new level even going so far as to warn customers that they may face ejection for committing the cardial sin of dunking their biscuits in their tea. Other definite no no’s are daring to clink your spoon on the cup whilst stirring, putting your elbows on the table (my mum would applaud him for that one) and the use of mobile phones. Owner David Daly’s strict rules and regulations have sparked an online debate on Facebook with one entry even going so far as to describe him as ‘fascist’. Mr Daly says "I am just keen to teach people the joys of a civilised cup of tea. People have to obey the rules in my tea rooms and, if not, they are asked to leave". Obviously the tea must be good as customers keep going back. One regular recently braved concussion by deviously trying to carry on a conversation on his mobile underneath his table. Unfortunately Daly walked in and surprised him, no doubt he left with a bump on his head, lets just hope he learned his lesson!

Actually its not just all about the drinking of tea. Whilst Daly plays mother out front, James Green, the chef, cooks up a storm in the Tea Cosy kitchen. Everything from Portabella mushrooms stuffed with blue cheese, cheddar, breadcrumbs and pesto, to mini jacket potatoes with cream cheese, lumpfish black caviar and saffron and decadent desserts such as rose petal apple tart and hot chocolate cinnamon bananas. And you can rest assured their will be NO RIFRAF!