29 May 2009

Lisa Higginson

Charming café The Art of Tea is serving up something a little stronger alongside its Earl Grey and English Breakfast brews. For the quaint East Didsbury teahouse is now fully licensed and open late in the evenings for customers swap their Chai for a Chardonnay should they choose.

Nestled among a handful of shops on Barlow Moor Road, The Art of Tea may be just a stone’s throw away from Didsbury Village’s cluster of big name bars and café’s, but it is worlds apart in concept.

Owners Ryan Thompson and Karen Schofield opened the humble haunt just over a year ago in a bid to bring a little character to the area. Drawing inspiration from their time working in bars around Manchester’s Northern Quarter as well as their experiences of Europe’s café culture, the duo dreamt up a concept for The Art of Tea – to create a comfortable café bar, exhibition space and live music venue with a laid back aura.

Here, tea is poured from delicate pots into china cups, antique cake stands boast homemade baking and filled bagels, salads and light meals are prepared lovingly throughout the day. There is also a second-hand bookshop tucked away at the back for all to peruse.

Ryan explained: “We wanted to create a good honest café first and let it grow organically. A late licence was always in our thoughts from the start and now we feel it’s time to take the next step.â€?

A selection of specialist beers, wines and spirits from around the world are now on offer alongside an evening menu of freshly prepared food. The later opening hours will bring more evening events and live music and the Art of Tea will also continue to act as a canvas for local artists, who are invited by Karen and Ryan to showcase their work.

The current exhibition - Spring - runs until August 6 and is a showcase of young photographers and illustrators who are each at different stages of their career.

The Art of Tea, 47 Barlow Moor Road, East Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6TW
T: 0161 448 9323
W:www.myspace.com/theartoftea
Monday – Saturday: 9am to 11pm
Sunday: 11am to 10.30pm