Joanna'S Boutique Tea Room
Tuesday: 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 09:00 - 17:00
Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
About Joanna'S Boutique Tea Room
Offering a wide selection of homemade cakes and sandwiches as well as lunches, afternoon tea and much more! - PLEASE CALL TEAROOM TO MAKE RESERVATIONS
Joanna'S Boutique Tea Room Description
Before opening her new Tearoom in December 2015, Joanna Chadwick could visualise how it would look.
She knew that the décor would be based around a grey and pink stripes colour scheme; that her father’s Welsh rarebit would be on the Specials board; even that the staff would all wear matching white Converse trainers.
However, Joanna did not know what to call her fledgling business. . .
“I was speaking to my friend Claire, who ran a florists, and she told me that her biggest mistake was not naming the business after herself. “So I thought, that’s it then; Jo’s Café! ”
After a sprinkle of refinement and a spoonful of marketing nous, Joanna’s Boutique Tearoom opened in the winter. Tucked away up a driveway, it’s barely visible to passing traffic on Storrington High Street, with only an A-board to notify people of its whereabouts.
Which makes it all the more remarkable that the tearoom has been a resounding success.
With two months to go until Joanna and long-term partner Luca Belenchia celebrate one year in business, regulars know they need to book ahead at the tearoom that’s been described – by one customer at least – as ‘a slice of The Savoy in Sussex. ’
Carrot Cake Revolution
The idea for the business evolved - as so many do - as a result of Joanna’s previous catering experience.
Whilst running the front of house at Smith & Western restaurant in Horsham, Luca took some of Joanna’s carrot cake to work, to share with his colleagues. The cake was so well received that the restaurant owner asked Joanna if he could add it to his Desserts menu.
Joanna said: “As a result of that carrot cake, I was soon producing 250 desserts for Smith & Western restaurants every week. “I also make their home-made lime posset, chocolate brownie and caramel cheesecake, under the name ‘Made with Love’.
“Initially, I was baking at home, but now I have a strong team behind me and we do most of the baking at the Tearoom kitchen, starting at 4am, so the deliveries are made long before we open the doors. Gradually, demand grew and I started supplying more cafés and restaurants including Proper Cycling & Coffee in Hassocks.
“We also supplied kits for vintage tea parties. We have had to limit what we make, due to the success of the Tearoom, although we are still baking for businesses as far afield as Tunbridge Wells.
Creating a Destination
A successful home-based catering business might have been enough for some people, but it was a lifestyle decision that led to Joanna considering the idea for a tearoom. With Luca working long nights, and Jo baking early mornings, the couple wanted to open a café where they could work together.
They came close to taking on the former Christian Cafe and Bookshop in Horsham town, before Joanna’s head was turned by a small, charming unit in Storrington.
With no kitchen or bar, much work needed to be carried out; a job taken on with love and attention by Joanna’s father.
However, it was Joanna who envisaged the location’s potential; even if others needed convincing! I didn’t mind which town or village we were in, provided the setting was right, ” she said. “I knew we would eventually become a ‘destination’ venue.
“Before we opened, I brought my friends and family here and some thought I was mad.
“I had no doubts though. I could picture people walking up the driveway and discovering this little hidden oasis, with the conservatory doors open in the summer and people sitting outside too.
“I could see people of all ages coming here; parents with children popping in for a treat after school, or elderly friends coming here for afternoon tea. I was 100% sure it would work. This is my passion; entertaining and looking after people, and Luca is no different. Everything about this location felt right. ”
Storrington Proves the Right Choice
Having established a successful catering business, Joanna and Luca invested time and money into creating a beautiful tearoom, which now attracts customers far and wide.
For much of the summer, the tearoom has been fully booked, although outside tables are available for walk-in customers.
Joanna attributes such popularity to the detail of the décor, with distinctive pastel grey and pink striped wallpaper creating a certain elegance, especially when complemented with chandeliers, polished cake trays, vintage tea sets, freshly cut flowers and even a shiny bucket of Nyetimber sparkling wine perched on the marble worktop.
“For me, it’s all about eating with your eyes, ” says Joanna. “Before customers even take their first bite, I want them to be enjoying themselves. Customers are always warmly greeted by Luca or one of the girls, and we keep the place immaculate. Because we make the effort, customers do too, with some even dressing up for their visit.
“As a result, the tearoom has become a destination venue, and I hope an asset to the village. Storrington is a lovely place and people like it as the parking is free and there are lovely antique shops and quirky stores, as well as Waitrose of course. I want everybody’s business to succeed here, because it will help mine too, so if more people are coming to Storrington, it will be better for us all. ”
From Salmon to Bacon and Eggs
It may be the elegance of the tearoom that draws in customers. However, some of the credit must go to the beautifully presented food, including Joanna’s elaborately-decorated cupcakes, which you might even feel a little guilty for biting into!
“We have a bit of everything on the menu, ” says Jayne Lovett, who works closely with Joanna and Luca. For breakfast, customers can enjoy anything from smoked salmon to croissants to a full English breakfast, with sausages from the local butcher’s. We also have healthy options, including granola and yoghurt.
“Our sandwiches and ciabatta are presented on a wooden serving board with salad garnish and home-made crisps, and we also offer jacket potatoes, salads and a Ploughman’s lunch.
“Naturally, we have a wide selection of cakes and savoury treats, including Joanna’s delicious sausage roll, which is something of a speciality. Afternoon tea is very popular, and many regulars love Joanna’s dad’s Welsh rarebit too. Along with the carrot cake, it’s probably our best-seller!
“We are licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, so some people like to come in and enjoy a glass of Champagne or Pimms in the summer. ”
Florist Adds Some Extra Colour
Joanna’s Boutique Tearoom will soon be introducing a new menu. As a result of customer feedback, it’ll feature even more local produce including tomatoes from the Nutbourne Nursery, Sussex Charmer cheese from Rudgwick, and a new range of jams and chutneys made by Joanna and her team.
For 2017, Joanna and Luca may expand the brand with a second tearoom, perhaps in another Sussex town, but there’s also been a significant change at Storrington in recent months.
Reviews
Join us for our Joanna’s Special Festive Afternoon Tea throughout December.
https://www.facebook.com/events/828689633 921802/
Christmas Party Nights Menu
Friday 30th November Saturday 1st December Friday 14th December... Saturday 15th December
The evening will include candle-lit tables, a three course meal, crackers and novelties.
We welcome individual and group bookings, but if you would like to have exclusive use for any evening (maximum of 50 guests) then please contact us for more information on 01903 742226 or email us at joanna@joannasboutiquetearoom.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/255333675 319332/
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Breast Cancer Now's wear it pink day
On 19 October we will wear pink, raise money and make life-saving research happen.
Why? Because breast cancer is still here. It’s still tearing apart the lives of families and it’s still taking the lives of the women we love on a heartbreaking scale.
... We will be wearing it pink in October. Will you join us?
About Breast Cancer Now This year, 55,000 women will hear the words “it’s breast cancer” and around 11,500 women will die from it.
Research holds the key to a future where all that changes. A future where women get to watch their children grow up, creating a lifetime of memories with the people they love. A future where, by 2050, every woman who develops breast cancer lives – and lives well.
To make that future possible we’re supporting nearly 450 of the world’s best researchers across the UK and Ireland. Together, we’re working tirelessly to prevent breast cancer, stop deaths from the disease and improve the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
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Thank You For All Your Kind Words...
Afternoon treat: Cherry and Almond Bakewell tart and a nice big cup of tea!🍒
Wishing Luca & Jo An Amazing Wedding Day
Just A reminder,
Friday 14th - 16th September 2018
We will be closed on the above dates but will re-open on Monday 17th September from 9.00 a.m. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Look Out For Our Offer In The Horsham Food & Drink Guide 2018/19
Book An afternoon tea and receive a free glass of prosecco per person.
Friday 14th - 16th September 2018
We will be closed on the above dates but will re-open on Monday 17th September from 9.00 a.m. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Christmas Party Nights At JOANNA’S
It might seem like it’s a long way off but the dreaded “C” word is just around the corner! Many of our customers have already started talking about it and organising their Festivities.
With this in mind we are delighted to announce our diary is now open for the evenings of Friday 30th November, Saturday 1st December, Friday 14th December and Saturday 15th December.
... Menu
Starters Homemade Soup Roasted Butternut Squash flavoured with a hint of warming Ginger, accompanied by Rustic Breads
Trio of Seafood Seafood Cocktail, smoked Salmon with Crème Fraiche & Dill, complemented by our Homemade Mackerel Paté served with Toasted Rustic Bread
Camembert Individual Baked Camembert served with Rustic Breads & Cranberry Port Jam
Homemade Paté Duck & Orange Paté served with Balsamic Pickled Onions, Festive Chutney & Toasted Rustic Bread
Mains All served with Seasonal Vegetables and fluffy Roast Potatoes
Traditional Free-Range Turkey Breast Served with Homemade Caramelised Onion & Sausage Meat Stuffing, Pigs in Blankets, Cranberry Jelly & a Rich Gravy
Luca’s Steak & Ale Pie Shortcrust Pastry filled with Organically Reared Steak, slow cooked in a Rich Gravy made with lashings of Local Ale
Christmas Vegetable Wellington Squash, Mushrooms, Chestnuts & Spinach seasoned with Christmas Spices, wrapped in Golden Puff Pasty
Salmon Baked Fillet of Salmon topped with a Homemade Parmesan & Pesto Crust
Desserts Trio of Desserts Prosecco Jelly, Salted Caramel Profiterole & Yule Log
Chocolate Fondant A smooth Chocolate Delight served with Double Cream
Traditional Christmas Pudding Accompanied by Brandy Butter & Clotted Cream
Cheese Board A Selection of Fine Cheeses served with Biscuits, Figs & Festive Chutney
Tea & Coffee served with Mince Pies £32.00 per head
The evening will include candle-lit tables, a three course meal, crackers and novelties. �We welcome individual and group bookings, but if you would like to have exclusive use for any evening (maximum of 50 guests) then please contact us for more information on 01903 742226 or email us at joanna@joannasboutiquetearoom.com
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This year we will be supporting The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 28th September.
Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer.
So join us for a slice of cake and a cup of tea to help raise money for this very great cause.
The Tearooms will be closed this coming Bank Holiday, Monday (27th August). We hope you enjoy your weekend🥂
This Week Is Afternoon Tea Week, So Why Not Indulge In One Of Our Joanna’s Special Afternoon Teas From £22.50 Per Head Call Now To Book 01903 742226 #AfternoonTeaWeek #TreatYourself
Unfortunately our email system is currently not recieving messages. Please contact the tearoom on 01903 744426 instead. Happy Sunday!☀️
Yesterday we organised a surprise baby shower for my best friend at your beautiful place. I cannot thank the stuff and management enough for all the help and excellent service. You have all been absolutely amazing and the food was simply delicious �...thank you so much we will be back � xxx
Went today for my friends birthday treat.. both never been to a proper afternoon tea before and I can say i would go back over and over. Friendly staff, amazing food, expected prices.. was amazing.. also thank you for squeezing us in at short notice
Went to Joanna's yesterday for my birthday afternoon tea. Lovely food and the tea room was beautiful. Sat outside but next will try inside as it was so nice
We were a group of 10 which included 3 children. We had mixed menus as well as 6 afternoon teas. The food was excellent as was the service and staff. Well done 👍
We visited here today for my sisters birthday for afternoon tea and what a gorgeous place it is! The staff are so friendly and welcoming! The food is yummy too! Will most definitely be visiting again soon xx
We absolutely love “Joanna’s”. It was the chosen venue by our granddaughter for her 21st Birthday lunch on June 6th. We most certainly will be returning. We had such a happy 2 hours there yesterday. Thoroughly recommend the vegetarian club sandwich.
Visited for a Mother’s Day afternoon tea and nothing more to say than AMAZING! The food, atmosphere and service was fantastic. Nothing was any trouble for the staff and we were made to feel so so welcome! Thank you so much to you all for what was such a special Mother & Daughter day. We will most certainly be back soon!
Very friendly staff, great atmosphere and beautiful decor. The special afternoon tea really was “special” with the unique addition of homemade cheese straws, sausage rolls and Welsh rarebit and the scones were just perfect. We drive 45 minutes for our visit and it was well worth it. Can’t wait to return.
Treated my mum to a pre birthday yummy tea after so many of my clients have recommended Joannas.
If you haven’t been then get yourself there. Such a gorgeous atmosphere, brilliant service & such scrummy food. Perfect to celebrate the big 70. Thanks for making her feel so special xxx
The tea room is pretty and well presented. I cannot fault our afternoon tea, all the food was fresh and tasty, washed down with as much tea and coffee as we required. The staff were friendly and efficient.
Such a lovely welcome when we arrived,a very charming tea room with lovely staff nothing was too much trouble,I've had plenty of cream teas but this has to be one of the best a lovely selection of sandwiches,savouries and carrot cake to die for.We couldn't manage it all but were given a doggy bag to bring home.Definatly recommend this jewel in Storringtons crown.
Just visited for the first time Joanna's Boutique Tea room in Storrington this is a delightful tea and coffee shop, so pretty !
A Courtyard outside with pretty tables,stunning inside tea room!
Coffee and cake delious!Definitely will be back to try lunch ,well done owners you should be very proud of such a lovely venue !�
Everyone that knows me knows that’s Joanna’s is my favourite place to go. After yet another visit yesterday, my feelings have grown ever greater! A couple of friends and I went to Joanna’s for my pre-birthday breakfast, and of course the food was superb as always (only downfall is no swaps on the breakfast). And without even telling them, the lovely staff treated me to a brownie, candle and glass of bubbly as a birthday treat!�It will continue to be my favourite cafe and thank you so much to everyone at Joanna’s for always making my visits worth it every time!
Absolutely beautiful tearoom and delicious afternoon tea. We couldn’t eat it all and they packed up the leftovers for us to take home. We sat outside as it was a lovely sunny day, it was packed inside and we enjoyed being outdoors and it being a bit quieter! Would definitely go again. The florist attached had the most beautiful bouquets and they were very good value too.
We had the loveliest afternoon here with delicious (& plentiful) pastries, sandwiches and cakes, sipping tea and really good coffee in the clean, crisp cool setting of the tea room. I was with my 7 wk old daughter and 10 wk old niece - we were made to feel relaxed the whole time with buggy’s , breastfeeding and a little bawling �! Thank you ladies for the perfect birthday treat for my aunt today. You even arranged the � sun!
Scones were a bit dry and crispy otherwise would have been a 5�
Visited Joanna’s tea room for the first time today, a gift from a friend! Was such a beautiful setting, food was amazing and the staff were so welcoming and friendly. Being a savory girl myself there was so much selection as well as all the gorgeous sweet cakes and scones. Only slight criticism would be when we asked for a top up of tea they literally poured more hot water into the same teapot, which made our tea really weak so had to ask for another tea bag. Really petty some might say, but non the less i Really enjoy it. Will definitely come back and was well worth the 50min journey. So will be recommending to my family and friends x
Lovely Tea room, nice atmosphere, lovely food and accommodating with fussy diet! A little disappointed that we were not offered a fresh teapot with our afternoon tea, I asked for more tea and water was topped up, no extra milk given and no fresh teabag, so like dishwater...... Spoilt it a little.
We had a table booked for tomorrow for my friends 40th birthday, a group of girls at 3pm. Because we are not all ordering afternoon tea and some people where going to order tea and cakes instead, they have cancelled our table today, the day before we are meant to be going! They have had a better offer of a group all ordering afternoon tea so our custom wasn’t good enough. We have found another venue at this short notice and a lot of stress. They are very welcoming to our custom. This will not ruin my friends birthday and none of us will be returning. Such a shame as we have always have good service in the past.
I was really excited to come here, being on a dairy and soya free diet through allergy they said that they catered for it and was no problem..... that was until I turned up! I was given my afternoon tea at an extortionate £28 only to discover they had given me a cheese sandwich!! The waitress came over and alerted me to the fact that I had one on my plate to then bring me other sandwiches and just leave the cheese one there! They had also run out of dairy free scones (even through we pre booked) and I was offered a marshmallow..... yep a marshmallow!?!? All in all I was thoroughly disappointed and would have kicked up a stink if it wasn’t for the fact that I was there for a baby shower and didn’t want to create a fuss. That night I also had stomach cramps and an upset tummy so there was obviously some dairy in something else, luckily I’m not anaphylactic but if you are be warned! I paid £28 for some sarnies, nitnof salad and some cake.... oh and the marshmallow with a pot of tea!
More about Joanna'S Boutique Tea Room
Tuesday: 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 09:00 - 17:00
Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
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