SOUTH Manchester is the spiritual home of all things organic, independent and bohemian, so a new teahouse making an ‘art of tea’ is a fitting addition.

But though the southern suburbs have on occasion been accused of smugness and pretension, Didsbury's The Art of Tea is the very antithesis.

Yes, it is a stylish and independent teashop, boasting china cups and fresh flowers but The Art of Tea is also like a home from home.

The café, which opened in early September and was signed up to take part in the Manchester Food and Drink Festival by October, boasts a comfortable and laid back charm, with the feel of an olde English teahouse spliced with a Parisian café. Deep green walls, wooden floors and dark wooden beams give the place charm and character.

The menu ranges from traditional English – sandwiches with sausages fresh from Axon’s, the award-winning butcher next-door-but-a-few – and continental European fare.

Impressed

I had a scrambled egg and salmon bagel, with fresh salad, £3.90, and was impressed how the simple ingredients were so full of flavour. The eggs were deliciously light and fluffy and perfectly peppered, while melted butter oozed generously over the plump bagel.

He had pitta bread and home-made hoummous, £3.95, which had a lovely thick texture and garlicky kick.

Of course, I rounded it off with a fair-trade cup of tea, £1.20, in a slightly rescued looking but quaint teacup.

Gentle music played throughout our meal – probably borrowed from Zeros record shop, which is at the back of the café – couples relaxed hunched over newspapers and children grabbed at cakes with sticky fingers. Owners Karen Schofield and Ryan Thompson have been successful in creating a welcoming atmosphere for families and southern suburb students alike.

And by night there are plans afoot, for live music and film nights, a welcome move away from boozy chain pubs. Tea has a reputation as being the new rock and roll, well perhaps now, it is the new jazz or soul.

The Art of Tea, Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury. Tel: (0161) 4380211.