One of Pembrokeshire’s hidden gems is reopening this weekend after an absence of seven months.
Cha-tŷ Mari’s Japanese Tea Room offers a genuine taste of Asia in rural Pembrokeshire.
It is located at the Dovecot Barn at Lampeter House, Lampeter Velfrey, just minutes away from the popular town of Narberth.
The tea room is usually open three days a week, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Every week owner Mari prepares one delicious Japanese dish, served with a couple of sides for a very reasonable price.
A superb selection of homemade cakes and speciality teas and coffees are also always on offer as well as maccha ice cream and other goodies.
Cha-tŷ was forced to close in December for personal reasons.
However, this weekend Mari reopens her doors, just on Saturday and Sunday, before resuming Friday, Saturday, Sunday opening from July 17.
The tea room has the same name as an establishment Mari ran for several years on the Mumbles near Swansea.
Wanting less time in a closed-off kitchen and more time with her customers, Mari relocated Cha-tŷ to the Dovecot Barn at Lampeter House.
The tea room is described as a ‘labour of love’ and everything, from the main meals down to the drinks, is prepared with meticulous care by Mari, in the open kitchen.
Overhead teapots, cups and saucers and an innovative light installation hang from the ceiling while Japanese art adorns the walls and simple flower arrangements combine East and West.
The café even has a grand piano and I have been there when customers have put on impromptu performances.
Mari always offers a warm welcome, alongside Lampeter House's owners Mami and Julian who sometimes help out.
The atmosphere is friendly and inviting.
On a nice day, you can also eat outside in the gardens of Lampeter House, which are always lovely for a stroll around post-lunch.
Mari is not sure when she will need to return to Japan but says: "For now, however, I would like to reopen the café and look forward to seeing familiar faces again and having a chance to catch up with you all.
"Thank you very much for your continued support and understanding.
"I look forward to welcoming you back to the café soon."
Cha-tŷ is definitely a great spot to visit, whether you are new to Japanese food or want a culinary trip down memory lane.
To find out Mari’s dish of the day, visit Cha-tŷ's Facebook page.
The café gets busy and is staffed solely by Mari so patience and booking ahead is definitely recommended.
Cha-tŷ's opening hours for this weekend are Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
From next week onwards the café will return to its usual opening hours of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
