Date visited: Monday 29th April 2024
Lazy Graze it situated at the back of Montpellier Courtyard, which describes itself as a “haven of independent boutique shops, stores and eateries”. Sited on the first floor of the courtyard with level access from Montpellier Street, Lazy Graze rather less pretentiously describes itself as a place to ‘Relax & Unwind’.
Lazy Graze has quite a modern style, without most of the traditional trappings common at many tearooms. It has between seven and nine tables indoors for those taking tea. On the day I visited there was just one outside table, but many more were stacked away ready for days with better weather. Each wooden chair came with a blanket draped over the back. Each table featured a pair of salt and pepper pots in the form of a different animal – at my table they were a pair of sheep.
The tea room serves breakfast until 11.45 am, with cooked options extending beyond the traditional English breakfast, and also sandwiches, croissants and teacakes. Lunch is then served up to 3.30 pm with a choice of several different sandwiches or salads, but only limited hot food. The cake selection is quite extensive, with thirteen on display when I visited. There’s a choice of nine teas and tisanes as well as coffees, smoothies, hot chocolate, and soft drinks. Most of the teas are leaf teas, but the one green tea was highlighted as being teabags.
A salmon sandwich, a slice of pear and chocolate cake, and a pot of green tea came to £13.80. The rather tasteless Twinings green tea was served in an unusual clear teapot. Unfortunately the lid of this pot was not attached as securely as it appeared, leading to a minor accident towards the end of pouring the tea. The smoked salmon sandwich came with pickled cucumber in the sandwich, and with salad and crisps alongside. Sadly, no cutlery was provided for the salad. The pear and chocolate cake was a pleasant combination of pear with chocolate chips, and firm but sufficiently moist.
Although there weren’t many choosing to ‘relax & unwind’ when I visited on a Monday afternoon, there did appear to be a steady trade of pre-ordered takeaways. And, despite some poor aspects to my meal, this was overall a pleasant experience with cheerful service and where, if I’d had a little more time, it would undoubtedly have been possible to relax and unwind.
At the time of visiting, Lazy Graze was open Mondays to Saturdays from 8.30 am to 4 pm.
