The Light Factory Gallery Tea House

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Posted 2012-12-02 by Nadine Cresswell-Myatt ⇒ follow

I had heard from friends that this was the best place for a Devonshire tea in the Eltham radius, so went for a taste check.

I couldn't have been more delighted.

is at the back of the Light Factory Gallery, an important local gallery that opened in Eltham in 2010.

Chris was chief cook and washer upper on the premises on the day of our visit.

The fact that the tea house was strewn with Gourmet Traveller magazines seemed a good sign. Plus the menu looked enticingly gourmet.

Items such as baked field mushrooms stuffed with semi-dried tomatoes, goats cheese parsley and oregano $14.50, penne Alla Fiorella's - (mum's italian tomato basil garlic sauce) $16 or baby pizzas with salad. Choices included goats cheese, caramelised onion and pesto or roast pumpkin, fetta, caramelised onion and thyme. (Both $14.50)
To top it off, there were lots of home made cakes such as middle eastern orange and almond meal $6.50, citrus tart $6.50 and Chris' famous chocolate brownies $4. These would have to wait for next time because we went for the scones and would not be deterred. There was quite a selection including plain and date and a first for me, blueberry scones.

All were high and fluffy and served with whipped cream and delectable berry jam.

Chris has been asked for his scone making secrets so many times that he now runs scone making demonstrations which are followed by patrons sitting down to his freshly baked scones.

The experience only takes an hour and is well worth it. This must be pre-booked.

Afternoon tea comes on a lovely jumbled assortment of crockery. Chris said people simply donate bits and pieces and they bring in some gems.

The premises are delightful. There is a slate floor, high beams and a cosy fireplace for winter. Yet because the tea house is solid brick it is cool (as well as air conditioned) in summer. So the perfect place to escape to, whatever the weather extremes.

There are comfortable couches and quiet corners plus seating in a gorgeous courtyard outside, which has a constantly changing display of outdoor sculptures and art work.

You can also make an afternoon of it and wander through the gallery which has an ever changing display - mostly of local artists.

Fittingly for a building with regional artistic connections it was designed by Alistair Knox, who is often described as the father of the mud-brick movement in the region.

The artwork photographed is all for sale and is by various local artists. There is an ever changing display, including those in the outside courtyard, so that each time you visit you arrive to a fresh artistic experience.

Chris also does high tea packages for a very reasonable $29.50, but you need to book ahead. He promises three indulgent courses and if his scones are any example, I am sure you will be suitably delighted.

Oh, and if you want to work off your Devonshire tea, the Light Factory Gallery is only minutes from walking and bike trails that cover around 30kms of the local scenic area.