With a stunning window display of some of the most gorgeous looking cakes you have ever seen, Beas of Bloomsbury is a delightful bakery-cum-teashop that deserves a closer look.

The Venue
Very dinky, but decked out in extremely sophisticated teal and chocolate, Beas of Bloomsbury is as neatly decorated and just as appealing as one of their delicious cakes. Luxurious feeling in a very vintage way, the velvet chairs and the dark brown tables, combined with the storm grey walls make for a very comfy and cosy interior. The long glass fronted bar that runs the length of the cafe contains a veritable cake feast with cheesecake, cupcakes, muffins and cakes on cake stands and even a selection of American sweets and chocolate on display. Behind it stand smiling staff who are happy to explain to you what everything is and share your sweet-toothed delight at the cakey bundles of joy within.

The kitchen stands at the back of the cafe up some steps and partially obscured by an old iron street grill that bears the legend Borough of Camden. You can see the bakers busily doing what bakers will, with flour and cake mixture, and generally making the delicious treats that are on sale in the cafe. Lodged to the side of the kitchen and with a cake or two perched on top of it, is an upright piano; but given the quaint, vintage style of Bea’s, this strangely doesn’t feel out of place. Maybe a Bea’s baker’s shop quartet is in order?

The Atmosphere
This is most definitely the kind of place that is just perfect for visiting on a cold and grey day, where you can huddle inside with a steaming pot of tea and a selection of cakes to quietly read the paper and pretend that you are Virginia Woolf. The atmosphere is of quiet hustle and bustle, and this is a definite stop off for ladies that have time to lunch. Surely one of the nicest places in London to come and contemplate a wedding cake while trying out the muffins, Bea’s has a distinct air of vintage sophistication with a load of cake based fun thrown in for good measure.

The Food
If you think that Bea’s is all about the cakes and nothing else, then you would be wrong. There is a wonderful selection of different items on the menu, with plenty of choice for meat eaters and veggies. The chestnut mushroom, spinach and gruyere tart is extremely tasty, with creamy cheese, strong hazelnut-like mushrooms and extremely fresh tasting pastry. Caramelised pear, goat’s cheese and hazelnut salad is an unusual combination, but delicious none the less. The pear is sweetened without loosing any of its bite, while the creaminess of the goat’s cheese sits perfectly alongside the firm nuts. Frisee leaves top off the combination with a peppery sweetness.

With the menu changing everyday you can be sure that there will always be something freshly made, organic and locally sourced (if possible) to entice you in. The red lentil soup with coriander has a very pleasant kick without being too spicy and is just hearty enough to leave room for more. Served with a hunk of bread, the soup is just right for a quick warming lunch or for a prolonged, relaxed sitting with a salad or quiche on the side.

One cannot visit Bea’s without trying at least one cake, and given that there are so many to choose from you could be contemplating for a very long while. The cupcakes are what the bakery is renowned for and with very good reason. A good size, and with generous amounts of icing, the Red Velvet is an American classic that just demands to be eaten quickly and with very little reserve. A dark red coloured sponge with a slightly bittersweet taste, the pale creamy vanilla icing makes for a very pleasant combination.

The Drink
There are plenty of drinks on offer to keep your cake company here, with a variety of coffees ranging from Boliva, Peru and Sumatra. Teas are also in good supply with the classic Earl Grey making the perfect accompaniment to the more traditional cakes. Cool beverages come courtesy of the Luscombe Organic range of which the wild Elderflower bubbly is very refreshing with a pleasant acidic zing.

The Last Word
An extremely pleasant place to visit for lunch, afternoon tea or morning coffee, and a with a plethora of cakes and pastries enough to please Augustus Gloop, Bea’s also has a very ethical stance on its food sourcing and strives to recycle wherever possible. Giving the lie to the view that all green cafes are full of hippy art and tie dyed table cloths, this is one delightful place to eat and drink, and know that everything has been done to make your visit as environmentally friendly as possible.

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