Martha's Pantry

Since we were going to Wellington I was determined to visit this little tea shop where they serve 'high tea' (bookings essential). I had read an article about it... old fashioned home baking, embroidered tray cloths, fine bone china cups, bursting with nostalgia and reminiscent of afternoon tea at Nana's place.

We located the tea shop on the corner of Karo Drive and Cuba Street. It was all I imagined it to be and more! The tea shop counter is like an 'old school' kitchen - all warmth and charm and homey-ness. The food was as gorgeous to look at as I'm sure it was to eat! We only had a wee pink, iced cupcake donned with teeny flowers and silver balls as we'd just eaten an enormous breakfast.

Darling Man read the NZ Herald while I enjoyed watching the people's open delight with their 'Martha's Pantry' experience. Seeing what women wear in Wellington is also interesting - a lot more coats and scarves and artful assecories. I then scoured the shop, taking in every delicious, dainty, domestic detail. There's lots of lovely things like fancy aprons and vintage household pieces to buy.

I also spoke to the owner who told me that when the Karo Drive Bypass roadworks were going on, 'burly blokes' would come in for a cuppa and home-baked goodies. They would say they felt like 'a bull in a china shop' but secretly they liked it. There were two regulars who would sit at the outside table cald in their fluro orange saftey jackets sipping from china cups! What is it with 'fine bone china' and home baking that can melt the hearts of the toughest Kiwi bloke?

Martha's Pantry is located at 276 Cuba Street, Wellington. Ph 04 3857228 Sadly, they don't yet have a website but honestly, it's one of those places that's better to visit in reality than virtually anyway!