BEAUTY, HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE
Experience something special.. My fondest childhood memories include many trips to our local tearoom with my favourite grandmother. I can still hear the chink of the silver teaspoons stirring sugar lumps into steaming hot tea poured from silver teapots, the hushed voices punctuated by laughter as friends and families exchanged stories over sandwiches and cakes, and the beautiful music playing quietly in the background.
The highlight of this very special treat was always the arrival of the cake trolley creaking with an abundance of freshly baked cakes as it was wheeled over by kindly waitresses clad in black and white uniforms. These precious memories were well and truly stirred on a recent visit to Gillian Wesley and the Catwalk Cafe in Knowle. This quaint business, sited in an old Victorian haberdashery shop, marries a fashion themed cafe with an in-house design studio and boutique. This unique cafe, complete with sweeping red catwalk carpet, is just the place to meet for coffee, catch up over lunch, or treat someone special to a divine afternoon tea. Unfamiliar with Knowle, I investigated the website prior to my visit and was delighted to find six free car parks all within easy walking distance of the Catwalk Cafe. Located just off the high street this unusual business was easy to identify by its corset image painted on the side of the cottage-like building. The shop windows were captivating with corset-clad mannequins sporting skirts of cascading chiffon. Vintage... with a modern twist! I bravely pushed open the shop door as an old fashioned tearoom bell announced my arrival. My hesitation was completely swept aside by a smiling
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waitress dressed in a traditional black and white uniform. Once inside the full impact of this jaw dropping venue hit me. The sweeping red catwalk carpet is complemented by vintage style black and white floor tiles. With exposed brickwork and vintage furniture completing the look. The cafe stood right infront of me, with an enticing boutique to the right. The warm welcome continued as I was guided to my table and I immediately knew this was going to be an enjoyable experience. I sat alongside what I can only describe as a Victorian style arcade shop. Peering through the glass into what must have been the original haberdashery shop, I could see a collection of wedding dresses that looked as if they had come straight off the set of Downton Abbey! Something else caught my eye in the reflection of the glass... a cake trolley! Loaded with home baked cakes this extravaganza was a sight to behold! My eyes couldn’t help but follow it as it was wheeled from table to table. I noted with interest that it was even possible to have a little slice of everything! Oh boy! I ordered a glass of Champagne and the daily special... Seafood Linguine, and continued to digest all that I saw