For Afternoon Tea Week - Top 5 Teas IMO

Especially for Afternoon Tea Week and after saying that the Scoff & Banter Tea was in my top three,  I've since been asked what are my top five teas - obviously I haven't yet been to every Afternoon Tea there is but I'm working on it ...

So what do I consider an Exceptional Afternoon Tea ? For me of course it's partly the food-  both taste and how it looks and a good choice of teas but that's really not enough to make it special. It also needs to include service that shows an understanding of the tea experience, the surroundings - the room, maybe a view, the furniture and also the crockery and cutlery really score with me, as a does a nice crisp white table cloth. Value counts too but I also don't mind paying if it really is outstanding.  
A place can lose points for jam in pots, cold scones, curly sandwiches, teabags or packets of sugar. They also need to have endless tea (and the offer to change blends if required) or coffee offered and the venue needs to have pleasant toilets - even better if there's quality scented handwash and hand lotion in there !! 

So after much debate with  myself and making myself hungry looking at old pictures, here are my top five, so far!

At 5…. Conrad St James (was the Intercontinental Westminster)

The Silverware 

Alice in Wonderland Tea 

Chelsea Flower Show Tea

Having been there five times, I couldn’t really leave it off my list. The fact that you can have unlimited champagne also helps but I’ve had that at other places and they don’t always concentrate on the other details whist topping you up. The room is beautiful and has a relaxed feel with comfy plump sofas and chairs, and the times we have been have never felt rushed out or hurried. The food is always exquisitely presented, plentiful and delicious. What’s also great is how they change the menu often according to seasons and events. It won’t be my last visit as its perfect place to take a group of girls for an early evening tea and drinks – £35 without champagne or £49 with - if you have ever ordered a bottle of prosecco or champers in London you will know what good value this is !

http://yummyandscrummy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/alice-in-wonderland-tea-conrad-st-james.html



At 4..The Hotel Café Royal, Regent Street, London 

admiring the savouries!

This was my last birthday treat and was hard to beat for the sheer opulence of the room –the service which was outstanding and the food which was beautiful and delicious. The savoury selection of not just sandwiches but goats cheese puffs, smoked salmon bagel, wild boar and crackling bun among the delights on offer – we also liked that the different “courses” were brought separately, with an amuse bouche and explanation of each tray brought out. Plus of course were served on gorgeous crockery with shiny cutlery. A glass of champagne finished off the feast.

Check out our experience here

http://yummyandscrummy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/amazing-afternoon-tea-for-birthday.html



At 3… Scoff & Banter Tea Room, Oxford Street, London 

We are both still reeling from the gorgeousness of this recent tea which totally epitomises what a tea experience should be about – it’s not super expensive but the attention to detail in the food , the Tea Room and the service is very special.

http://yummyandscrummy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/high-tea-time-how-very-british-scoff.html



At 2 BG Restaurant, Bergdorf Goodman, New York 

This is one that was special for lots of reasons, it was part of a fabulous girls trip to New York , but also was in a stunning room overlooking Central Park, again with fantastic attention to detail and a real desire to create an “Authentic” British Tea, sandwiches and savouries were great (we ordered extra platefuls so good were they) and a great choice of teas all served on duck egg blue crockery that toned with the room, and served by white coated but friendly staff

Read and enjoy the pictures here ! http://yummyandscrummy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/afternoon-tea-at-bergdorf-goodman-5th.html



At 1 The Savoy, London 

This still remains my top tea – have been to the hotel a few times for drinks, we go for an annual black tie event and even stayed there once, but not since 2011 for tea. Really must get back there. Its pricey , even without a champagne option, but it is beautiful, very traditional, superb service and you really can sit there for hours and keep ordering more sandwiches cakes, tea (or at least we could in 2011)

Our last experience is here http://yummyandscrummy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/savoy-hotel-thames-foyer-afternoon-tea_14.html

So readers, what are your top five teas ?

We would be especially interested about out of London ones! 
And what do you think makes a good tea turn into a great afternoon tea?

I suspect that my next visit to Brighton and intentions of having tea at the Brighton Grand, may well push one of the above off the list but who knows? 

Schmootiful Treatments in the spa – Tea not so schmootiful

Waterhouse Restaurant, 

HILTON BRIGHTON METROPOLE

KINGS ROAD, BRIGHTON, BN1 2FU

This was our Afternoon Tea week treat -  a trip to Brighton with treatments in Scmoo by the sea followed by an Afternoon Tea in the Waterside Restaurant. Both of us have had great Afternoon Teas in Hilton hotels before so were really confident before we went that it would be great – and having looked at the menu were really looking forward to it . This was a deal for £99 for two so was a bargain, and we were aware that our treatments were mini ones but perfect as a precursor to Tea and walk in the bracing Brighton air along the pier.

First of all our Treatments in Schmoo by the sea (also in the Hilton) were great – a mini facial and paint and file of toes for me and a massage and fingers filed and painted for my friend. Lovely little spa, charming therapists, gorgeous sofas and chairs and really exquisite treatments with their own organic products which smell and feel divine. Definitely will be going back there for longer and can thoroughly recommend their treatments. We had entered the spa with some trepidation as there is quite a lot of renovations going on in the basement but once inside it was lovely. I believe we could have used the pool in the Living Well area of the hotel too but no time for that yesterday.

So we floated upstairs for our tea to the Waterhouse Restaurant – and after a good few minutes of being ignored (not very busy and quite a few staff milling about) were greeted, our no pork dietary requirement noted and were shown to our table which wasn’t very big but did have nice comfy chairs. We were given an Afternoon Tea menu and told to “choose” by the rather abrupt if efficient waitress. We weren’t entirely sure about what we were supposed to be choosing but looked at the two choices of afternoon tea menu and only THREE teas on offer – english breakfast, assam and another I can’t remember and chose one of each tea menu and a tea each. We also requested not to have pork in either tea then it’s easier to share.

Jam Stand and Sugar bowl

Chrome teapots containing TEABAGS 

My heart was already sinking at the cups on the table which are the sort you drink out of in hotel rooms, and the jam in jars (although the stand for them was quite cute) and the pot of sugar and sweetener packs on the table, paper napkins, it kind of felt like a buffet breakfast was about to be introduced.

So our tea came and was plonked in front of us in metal tea pots rather unceremoniously (although actually was a very nice cuppa) and was made with teabags. Oh dear. 

After about 15 minutes our cupboard of food arrived.

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-brighton-metropole-BSHMETW/dining/index.html 

Above is the picture on the hotel website of the tea by the sea – this is what we got .

We had ordered one traditional and one Tea by the Sea - when it was put down were told – “there’s no pork on that side” and there seemed to be bits missing – where was the lamb burger? the Sussex quiche ? Hummus and grilled peppers finger sandwich ?

My friend went to get a menu to check and sure enough we hadn't dreamt these items-  so we queried it and were told that as we were on a spa offer we didn't get the full tea and in fact we’d been “given more than people normally got” on the spa deal.  I should point that at NO point had that been explained to us – even when we ordered our food. I get that it’s an offer but I go on lots of offers and you either get the food as advertised in the hope you will spread the word, a specific menu for that offer or at least should be told ! Why would you hand us that menu, ask us to choose and then not give us what we chose? 

So accepting it was what we were getting, we settled to eat as hadn't had lunch. Sandwiches were fine, obviously freshly made.

We did have a bit of an issue with the scones – for a start there was only one each (see above picture of advertised tea) and it did say scones plural on the menu. 

I can’t be sure of the two next things but as an experienced eater of scones (and a waistline to prove it) I think they were out of a packet as were a bit too uniform to be homemade, and although warm, they were soggy. So either they were microwaved or had sat for a while. Either way they tasted fine but weren't the crispy outside fluffy inside they should be. Very generous pots of jam and cream – sadly not enough scone to put it on !

Cakes were very mixed – a very alarming bright blue cheesecake that tasted soapy, an apple? cake that was already in pieces on the tray , mini doughnuts (delicious), macaroons (not home-made) and other bits. We hadn't had the food explained to us - which is a really important part of the tea experience - so didn't really know what we were eating.

By this time I was needing another cuppa, so found another menu on a table where they had other interesting teas like Twinings Russian Caravan – I asked for it (the waiter had never heard of it – Waiters MUST know their teas at an afternoon tea surely !) but gamely offered to go and find one . 

Didn't manage to but did bring me a pot (much nicer than the first pot) of hot water and a tea bag – although was this Golden Darjeeling (quite pleasant but rather weak so shouldn't be drunk with milk) and nothing Russian about it at all. The tea pot of hot water was missing its knob on the lid if you look closely- my friend did go and tell the waiter who couldn't see the problem and demoed how you could prise the lid open with your fingers! 

They also brought us some fresh cups - which bizarrely had a packet of biscuits tucked into each cup ! I must admit by this time we were nearly hysterical with laughter. The waiters were very sweet and willing but we could see were totally untrained about afternoon tea and how to serve it.

We were left feeling very glad that we hadn't paid £17.50 for the tea – in fact with the treatment deal we had it was almost free, but not what we would expect from a Hilton hotel and isn't really the point.  There was a couple of ladies having the full price tea on a table next to us and sure enough they did seem to have more choice of cake but the service and presentation was still the same.

On the www.afternoontea.co.uk website there is also a picture of the Twining’s tea selection (on the shelf under the picture ) and the special teapots

and timers like they have at Green Park (Click here to read about it) there was no evidence of those in use.  I have honestly had better food and service in a garden centre (see here)

When we left it was raining so we dived into the Grand Hotel next door for a drink. We lucked out with happy hour cocktails being served but also ended up with Extreme Tea Envy. For £23.50 ( £6 more) one could get a proper tea, served in proper teapots, on a handsome teastand, with white napkins, your choice of tea and food explained to you in a beautiful conservatory. 

The food was acceptable (except the blue cake)  but there is no sense of occasion which is a shame as your setting is great - comfy chairs, a lovely seaview, really nice dining room with pretty floor and walls, it just didn't work as a venue for tea as it was served up like a buffet breakfast. We have, between us, been for tea at Hilton Deansgate Manchester, Hilton on Park Lane and Hilton Green Park and were thoroughly impressed by them, so feel you are letting the brand down. 

As it's afternoon tea week I had high hopes for the one tea we had time to take this week and it wasn't great.

Please Waterhouse Restaurant – send your waiters next door with £5 note each (happy hour starts at 5pm) they can sit in the conservatory with a drink and see how it should be done.

Guest Blog from Helen Wignall - Afternoon tea at the Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield

The Crazy Bear, 

Old Town, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 1LX 

http://www.crazybeargroup.co.uk/beaconsfield/menus/afternoon-tea/

Having enjoyed the Chinese Dim Sum afternoon tea in the Fitzrovia Branch I had been intending to get to Beaconsfield to try their offering there. 

Helen beat me to it and has shared her thoughts here : 

Afternoon tea at Crazy Bear was an amazing experience. I'm not sure if the food or decor comes out tops but I'll start with the food. There is a choice of traditional afternoon tea for £29.50 champagne tea for £39.50 or Chinese afternoon tea, with 12 dim sum pieces, for £29.50. 

We opted for the traditional tea with a glass of Prosecco. 

There is a choice of 16 teas including flowering amaranth and lemon verbena but we opted for Earl Grey and fresh mint leaves.

This was served In a glass infusion tea pot. There was enough for at least 2 cups and we were offered more. The coffee drinkers did have to ask for a refill but no extra charge was made for this. 

We were offered a vegetarian sandwich  selection as well and opted for one of each. Everything was beautifully presented and we had a long discussion on how to make tear drop sandwiches! The fillings were delicious and included coronation chicken, ham hock and grain mustard Mayo, smoked salmon and herb mascarpone. All very tasty. Personally the vege fillings didn't wow me but the non meat eaters were happy. 

We had a plain and fruit scone each (not warm though) but with plenty of clotted cream and jam. The purists among you might object to jam in a jar! ( I would - Tea Lady_Rebz)

The cake selection covered all tastes and we're all scrummy.  My only suggestion would be to serve 1 each of a smaller selection as we had to either share or negotiate our favourites! We couldn't finish everything and the attentive waitress asked us which ones we each wanted before the left overs were wrapped for us to take home.

Now for the decor! If you haven't been to a Crazy Bear, put it on your bucket list. The decor and furnishings are beyond description and hard to photograph to full effect but these pics will give you an idea. 

Tea can be taken in the restaurant or on the terrace. As it was a sunny afternoon we were led through to the terrace which was like being transported to an exotic location.

Tables were set under a canopy beside the hotel pool (only residents of the hotel could enjoy a dip!) it was a beautiful setting for a girly afternoon. 

The decor had a Middle Eastern flavour with comfy colourful sofas. The atmosphere was enhanced by Frank Sinatra crooning in the background. 

A final mention must go to the toilets - no names on the door so use the one on the right! Everything inside was mirror mosaics. Take a seat in the armchair and you get an interesting view! 

Helen August 2015 

What do you think? Have you been there ? Are you tempted? I know I am ! Shame about the cold scones and jam in a mini jar (Tut Tut Crazy Bear) but I was inspired by Helen's guest blog entry and have managed to persuade him indoors to take me for lunch in a few weeks - he's still not quite convinced by Afternoon Tea ! 

High Tea Time – How Very British! Scoff&Banter Oxford Street

Scoff & Banter Tea Rooms 

350 Oxford Street, London W1C 1BY

Last week I was lucky enough to be one of the “50 for 50p” guests at the soft launch for the tea rooms Scoff & Banter have opened on Oxford Street in the Radisson Blu hotel behind Debenhams. 

My sister and I already had tickets to the theatre for that night, I was working in London during the day, so the opportunity seemed too good to miss. We were very taken with the unusual menu –the savoury options do make it a High Tea rather than an Afternoon Tea- and the fact that you can choose your own two items from the savouries, sandwiches , scones and pastries http://www.scoffandbanter.london/d/scoffandbanter/media/New_menus/J303629_FB_SB_A4_Landscape_TeaRooms_Menu_Web2_a4ff3f.pdf - much discussion had ensued on the way there about which choices we would make! 

  

When we arrived we were greeted at the door of the hotel and whisked upstairs to the stunning wood panelled tea room, a glass of Prosecco was placed in our hands and we were shown to our table. It was so exquisitely set with a white table cloth and Bombay Duck chinaware (long been a favourite of mine) – we were by the window , which although the view wasn't spectacular of the side of Debenhams it was a good people watching spot of both outside and inside the restaurant!

We were given our choice of teas, explained in detail by the charming Justas, and chose our sandwiches, scones and desserts. I chose a delicious lavender based tea.

As it was a soft launch, we were given the chance to taste all of the hot savouries which were being served canapé style by the staff circling around.

Oyster Rockefeller

Caramelised onion tart 

Scallop

Sticky Beijing Beef

Teeny Tiny Eggs Florentine

I would be hard pressed to say which my favourite was – but I especially loved the spiced scallop with a little battered cauliflower topping, which melted in your mouth, and the Oysters Rockfeller and the sticky Beijing fillet of beef was a hit with both of us. In fact we enjoyed all of them and I would struggle to choose just two!   

We were then brought our three tier tray with our sandwich,  scone and desserts choices

Rare Venison with Gin & Tonic Relish

We both chose the same sandwiches: rare venison with gin & tonic relish and Smoked salmon, crayfish and dill crème fraiche on a toasted bagel – I do like finger sandwiches but it was great to have a choice of unusual sandwiches on different bread. The sandwiches were utterly delicious – I loved the gin and tonic relish, and the fillings in the bagel were very generous.

By this time we were struggling and quite glad we hadn’t had lunch.

We chose a mix of scones between us, which worked out well as we had two mini ones of each of our choices so could mix and match, Pecan and apple Maple syrup and sultana, Seville orange, Valrhona chocolate – there was also a Vanilla and Cheddar cheese option. 

How adorable??

One of my highlights of the table setting was the adorable serving dishes for the Devon clotted cream, the strawberry and rhubarb conserves, my sister had to tell me to stop lifting the lids!

Ta Da!

This definitely was High Tea as we then had desserts not pastries – again we chose a mix to test them : Chocolate whisky cake with candied orange,  Lemon meringue with  blackberry compote and lime syrup,  Sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream and  macadamia nut brittle and last but not least Poached rhubarb and custard with a gingerbread biscuit.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Poached Rhubarb and Custard 

Sadly we had to go to the theatre  - we could have spent at least another hour sitting there, enjoying the food, drinking more tea (and prosecco !!)  but had to rush off – but we had sat there for 90 minutes and didn't quite finish our food.

It’s not a cheap option (£34 /£39 with prosecco /£42.50 with champagne) but is reasonable compared to some of the big London hotels. It is so special that’s it’s the perfect place to have a celebration and the high tea was enough food for lunch and dinner. 

The location is great too just behind Debenhams on Oxford Street- great place to take the weight off after a busy day of shopping. Normally I agree with the Duchess of Bedford in that afternoon tea is for the ladies but unusually for me I think it’s a fantastic place to take a man – (or a man to take a lady) my husband would have really enjoyed the hot dishes , variety of sandwiches and savoury scones and the quantity of food.

I take Afternoon Tea a lot (as readers know) but this is without doubt up in my top three, it is exactly the right blend of interesting and unusual foods and traditional fare, the setting is beautiful and the service faultless – not over fussy but just a raise of an eyebrow and someone would be there. We also got to meet the Manager, Mike , who had issued the invitations – great job Mike, of training your staff, and managing such a splendid place with such attention to detail.

Would I go back ? Definitely – and have several volunteers that want to come with me having seen my facebook pictures.

Do make the effort to go – well worth it !