Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tea!

So back at the Chesterfield - I last went maybe 6 years back for a chocolate tea with the ladies but was delighted niece number 4 was finally ready to come out for tea with Aunty Tea Lady Rebz for her 7th birthday.  Combined with a matinee performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory it seemed the perfect birthday treat.

The hotel were very accommodating on booking, being happy for us to have tea at lunchtime and my sister in law to have lunch as she didn't fancy afternoon tea.

From the moment we arrived the staff made a fuss of the birthday girl, taking her coat and calling her the birthday princess, she was so thrilled

I thought  had booked for midday but in fact they were expecting us at 12.30 so we went in the bar to have a cheeky bottle of champagne (well why not ….)

Bless her she was so excited she couldn't drink anything just kept wondering when she would get her big stripy lolly (more about that later) or an everlasting gobstopper…

We were soon brought through to Butlers restaurant which is a very opulent dining room with columns, arches,  mirrors and paintings on the walls red velvet chairs and white cloths on the exquisitely set tables.

After we all stood and admired for a few seconds we were seated and presented with our fizzy pop - which really did fizz on your tongue and tasted of bubble gum.

We were then given our tea choices - we were still enjoying our champagne but I did also indulge in a marvellous flowering jasmine tea - we were fascinated watching it flower in the clear glass jug.  My brother had an english breakfast tea served in a beautful china teapots and the birthday girl had a lemonade.

Then we were given our tea stand and she was given her Oompa Loompa tea plate - with plenty of reassurances that anything we particularly enjoyed we could have more of.  

Our first layer was a feast of fresh bread with generous fillings: honey roast ham with cheddar cheese and tomato chutney on onion bread,  roast chicken with mustard mayonnaise and nibbed almonds on white bread,  smoked salmon with cream cheese on brown bread,  free range egg mayonnaise and watercress on basil bread, and of course cucumber and cream cheese on white bread. The Oompa Loompa Tea had Peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

We were offered some extra sandwiches so we did take them up on that  - E loved the jam sandwiches and we had a few extras to share - the chicken and mustard sandwiches were my favourite. I’m always impressed when extra sandwiches are given - let alone when actually offered, so many places charge extra.

So onto the scones - fruit and chocolate chip - fabulous - crispy outside, crumbly in - the chocolate chip scones - oh my ! Served with clotted cream and strawberry  jam they were a feast for the eyes and the tongue.

The oompa loompa tea also had one of each scone with jam but she was mostly excited about her green icing cupcake and the wonka bar.  

The patisserie layer was a real treat - there was only one of each but we were told if there was something we liked especially to ask for more - we didn’t as were full to bursting by now.

As a final treat the staff presented my niece with an activity pack, a Chesterfield Bear and we all got our golden envelopes - to be opened next time we came back !

The only small disappointment was that she had been looking online and seen the giant lollipops on the website (see pic below) and was waiting to get one - but was cheered when she was invited to take some chewy lollies and gobstoppers they had in jars.

It was a great experience for both the adults and child - and at £36.50 per adult and £17.50 for the Oompa Loompa tea (plus 12.5% service) good value for money bearing in mind the extras that were offered. It set us up beautifully for going to see the show although we were a bit late as it was a bit of a traffic nightmare from there to the theatre - we went in a cab but had to get out and walk (run) the last bit , but good to burn off some of that sugar!

Now we just have to find time to go back before March 2017 when our Golden tickets run out !

Quirky afternoon tea at the Buddha-Bar ... not a scone in sight!

Buddha-Bar London

145 Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7PA

9^th May 2016

This was our annual outing with three of my lovely nieces- a Pan-Asian afternoon tea at the award-winning Buddha Bar in Knightsbridge. To be honest we weren’t so worried about the award winning but thought we might spot a celeb or two …
We were taken by the fact that our afternoon tea would include a selection of savoury dishes and a glass of Champagne each!

We met at Harvey Nicks for a quick cocktail (as one does) and then wandered over to the Buddha Bar  - it was a 3 pm tea so very quiet as lunchtime rush was over but we liked the look of the very shiny funky bar and were immediately presented with our perfectly chilled glass of champagne and choice of teas which were asian inspired and very enjoyable.

Our first course was quickly brought – not a sandwich in sight but a delightful selection: Hoisin duck steam bun sandwich, a tuna tartare on toasted fennel bread vietnamese vegetable summer roll and crispy black cod and seafood wonton which we all agreed were excellent – my favourite was the hoisin bun.

But ….. it wasn’t quite enough – we knew weren’t getting the usual in between bit of the scones and having had tea and champagne (and the cocktail before) we all felt we needed more savouries,  so did order a platter of sashimi – which was amazing – it definitely filled the savoury gap. 

The sweet course was just as delicious as the rest: a macaroon crisp outside and chewy inside, a chilli chocolate mousse (my favourite) a fruit tart and green tea cheesecake.  

We then felt we needed another cocktail after dessert so chose from the HUGE drinks menu – a couple of pages of cocktails and then almost any spirit/wine/liqueur /bubbles you could think of - and a few we’d never heard of . We had a Flaming Ghost (mine – an amazing spicy concoction with a chilli on the side)   a Green Tee , and The Don.

Overall we loved our afternoon but it wasn’t tea – more like a lunch and it certainly wasn’t a bargain:  ended up paying an extra £100 for the sashimi and cocktails on top of the £106 we had already paid for the tea for four through a BuyaGift.com voucher. But it was our choice to have them and it WAS Knightsbridge darling - we enjoyed every mouthful so I didn’t feel too hard done by, and it was undeniably an experience venue. The service was slick and charming.

Would love to go back and have a proper meal - the sharing platters looked so amazing 

Crazy Bear English Afternoon Tea

The Crazy Bear Beaconsfield

Old Town, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 1LX

A big birthday celebration for my friend Helen’s birthday – she has been before (see her GuestBlog here) and I've had the dim sum tea in Fitzrovia but she was keen for the ladies to experience it.

When you arrive it feels a bit like going into the Wonderland rabbit hole – its décor is amazing - full of crazy wall hangings and stuffed animals everywhere. 

The bar area was very shiny and very busy (It was a Saturday -  every table packed) but we were quickly shown to our table by one of the attentive staff.  I think  this was in the marquee which looks like it could be open in the summer onto the pool area.

This was great – each table had a heater, low sofas, lot of cushions and throws and fabric draped walls  and more wild ornaments and we were immediately brought our champagne, which is always a good start to any occasion I feel!

We were then invited to order our tea with a choice including the usuals:  Assam breakfast, Earl grey, etc but also some flowering teas : amaranth, osmanthus, jasmine and lily, and some fresh leaves -  whole chamomile flowers, Lemon Verbena, fresh peppermint leaves etc. I ordered a flowering amaranth , Helen had a fresh peppermint and others had coffee as they don’t like tea so everyone was happy. I did love my cute glass teapot.

Our tea stands arrived – not especially fancy plateware considering the surroundings, but very artfully arranged food.

We did love the sandwiches – not just the shape but the generous filling – due partly I think to their shape – but very flavoursome. Everyone had their favourite from Coronation chicken, (my least favourite – never understood the concept - sultanas and cold curry ???) ham hock with grain mustard mayonnaise,(my favourite)  egg mayonnaise with watercress, smoked salmon with herb mascarpone (close second for me )

Very good quality of moist bread too.

The scones were good, but as often happens being brought at the same time as the sandwiches,  weren’t warm anymore and we were slightly disappointed not to have homemade jam rather than small jars but they did pass the TeaLadyRebz test of crispy outside and fluffy inside so could almost be forgiven for the jam pots. 

There was a fine selection of pastries and mini cakes  the chocolate cake with the gold leaf was delicious, and the fruit tart with super fresh sweet berries was a winner for me. Although one pair of the group had to ask for more cakes as theirs had melted under the heater, this was brought willingly and apologetically. 

as they were...

Spot the cupcake  Brulee effect! 

One small silly thing was when we asked for our leftover cakes to be boxed up ... they came back like this... 

.... which is a bit of a shame as a cake box isn't too much to ask for . 

We did go on a Group On offer so can't expect to be a totally 5 star experience, but the staff, although busy, were very efficient fun and helpful. The place has a very relaxed feel as well as having  very comfortable seating.  However I was glad we weren't in the bar which looked lot less laid back and comfortable to have tea in.

As at the Fitzrovia branch the toilets need a special mention - all mirrored and sparkly floored - with a shared basin area with the boys toilet - no peeking ! 

I would definitely go again - next time in the summer and would LOVE to stay the night sometime - the postcards we were given of the bedrooms look amazing. 

Thanks Crazy Bears - we had a lovely girly afternon ! 

A Chocolate Affair at the Rubens Hotel at The Palace

Rubens Hotel, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PS

http://www.rubenshotel.com/food-and-drink/afternoon-tea 

I was lucky enough to have been bought this tea as a birthday gift by my son who was keen to find out what this was all about, and wanted to join me for a proper posh tea. So we figured sitting opposite the Royal mews would fit the bill, and on a sunny but cold February Thursday, we met after work in Victoria station and trotted the few minutes’ walk to the hotel.

Unfortunately for them there are huge roadworks going on outside which is such a shame as the restaurant does indeed look over the entrance of the Royal Mews, we were shown to our window seat and given our menus for choice of tea and drinks by the very charming Maitress D, and if you could ignore the diggers and dumpers out of the window it was a charming spot to take tea!

The tables were really well set with white linen, silverware and ribbons, with comfortable armchairs and sofas to choose from. There were a few others also having Afternoon Tea which did cause a bit of delay in us ordering but we weren't in a rush and they were very polite and apologetic. We ordered our tea – I went for a chocolate and hazelnut blend and my son asked for green tea – we also decided as it was a late birthday treat to ask for cocktails, so also ordered a Cosmopolitan and a Mai Tai. The staff were, (unlike our last slightly disappointing afternoon tea hosts) very concerned about whether we had the tea, cocktails or food first - we decided on having tea first then cocktails, which were very delicious and very strong.

When the tea was brought I was persuaded to try mine with a bit of hot milk and a lump of brown sugar and a promise – if you don’t like we will change it – and it was actually lovely – it tasted like a liquid Ferrero Rocher.  

The Afternoon Tea stand was brought along and explained - very traditional and beautifully presented.

The sandwiches were Egg and Cress, Smoked Salmon, Ham and Mustard, Cucumber and Cream Cheese and a Chicken and almond bridge roll. We were really impressed with the sandwiches – very generous fillings, and very good quality fresh moist bread and to my delight were offered more sandwiches without asking. We declined,  as the scones were calling and my son had lunch before he came (as he’d thought there wouldn't be much to eat!!)  but I was tempted to ask for more of the chicken roll and the smoked salmon. 

The scones were small but very fresh with the requisite crispy outside and fluffy middle with plenty of clotted cream and jam to spread.

I did then move to breakfast tea with my pastries which were mostly delicious. The theme of the tea was "A Chocolate Affair" and that was a key ingredient all of the choices, chocolate éclair with coffee cream, orange and chocolate cupcake and so on.    Although I wasn't keen on the dark chocolate meringue tart,  my son loved it, I adored the chocolate and pistachio millefeuille and both of us really enjoyed the dark and white chocolate mousse with passion fruit glaze …oh wow !

Sadly I have to say the cakes did defeat us: we did sit for a bit in the hope we would find inspiration to eat more but alas no -  they kindly packed it in a box for us and we took it home where my husband enjoyed the selection very much.

Overall this was a very splendid affair – we had a nice chat at the end with the manageress who was interested in why my son chose to bring me there and also in other teas I had been to- she told us they were changing their tea next week as they do regularly and would be offering the “Royal Tea” from next week. Sigh, so many teas so little time !

This felt very special and the ambience,  décor and service were spot on.  We also enjoyed watching the comings and goings at the Royal mews – all the Bentleys and blacked out window cars going in and out.

Definitely one to recommend if you are visiting Buckingham Palace or fancy saying you have taken afternoon tea at the palace. 

Feb 2016