Lovely afternoon tea with excellent service at Corinthia hotel London

 On Sunday I went to my forth and final Birthday afternoon tea. 

This afternoon tea was on Instagram a few months ago and when I saw it had a cake trolley I just had to go. So my mum took me there for my birthday treat....and it was such a lovely treat at that !!!!!

It is priced at £60 each or £70 with a glass of champagne

The hotel was large and very nicely decorated. Afternoon tea is served in the crystal moon lounge which is in the middle of the hotel. Once you see the big light hanging down from the  domed glass ceiling you will understand why it's called the crystal moon lounge. The huge light is made up of 1001 crystals with just one single red crystal.  It's such a statement light and something that I will always remember about this hotel. 

We was shown to our table which was nicely laid with expensive china and glasses. I know it was expensive as they sell it in the hotel lobby shop. The champagne flutes cost £350 for 2 and the cup and saucer is around £100 for both pieces. The china is black and white checked design and they also have the same in  red . The manager explained during our afternoon tea that each table has just one place setting in red to go with the single red crystal in the light. 

The tables were small and low down to go with the comfy leather armchairs. It had a very relaxing feel about it. Music was playing in the background which later changed to live piano music which was very nice. 

Once seated we has handed the menu and offered tea or coffee and champagne . As it was my birthday I had a glass of Laurent Perrier in the lovely champagne glass . 

The waitress asked if we had any allergies and then brought out a silver tray each with 5 different sandwiches on . She placed them on a little side table next to us. 

They all tasted very nice 😋 I liked the coronation chicken one and the beef one best. 

When we had finished the waitress brought over a tray with an assortment of sandwiches for us to choose extra ones if we wanted. I had another coronation chicken one and beef one. 

Then a wooden box was placed on the side table along with 2 pots of different jams and a pot of clotted cream. There was a strawberry jam and then a rhubarb jam . I tried both of them but preferred the strawberry one. We got a plain scone and a fruit one each . They were still warm and light and fluffy inside..... delicious 😋

Whilst tucking into the scones we ordered another coffee each and then along came the cake trolley packed full of lovely looking cakes. 

The waitress brought over a tall 3 tier cake stand which was placed on the floor next to us. 

She then explained what the cakes were and served them onto a plate on the stand. We got 1 of each of the 4 types. She then put 2 different flavors of Marshmallow , coconut macaroon and chocolate nut cluster each onto the 3rd plate on the stand. So much food to eat and I was already feeling full after the scones !!!!!

The cakes were all nice but our favorite was by far the chocolate hazelnut one. Very rich and  chocolatey with the crunch of the nuts. 

By now we both were feeling rather full after eating all the cakes and did not expect what came next 

The waitress brought over a large cake in a glass bowl stand with a candle in and happy birthday plaque made of chocolate.  Thankfully they did not sing happy birthday to me. 

The cake was a traditional German style cake with a cheesecake filling in the middle and little shortbread biscuits plus lots of blueberries which I love. There was also white chocolate shards on the top. I noticed that every table got one of these at the end not just for birthdays.  We cut the cake in half . It was really nice but I could only manage a little bit of it as I felt so full up. 

It was such a lovely afternoon tea in a lovely hotel. The service we received was excellent and the manager was constantly walking around the tables chatting and making sure everyone was ok . 

There was plenty of food on offer and nice that extra sandwiches are offered. I am sure that   we would of got extra scones or cakes too if we had asked. 

Glad I saved the best afternoon tea till last for my birthday....

 

Nearest Station : Embankment  underground  station - about 5 minute walk

Best bits : The service and quality of the food. Also the lovely German cake in the bowl at the end 

Worst bits : Nothing to mention all very nice  

Value for money : It was expensive but worth it  for the luxury feel and service  

would I go back? : Yes I would for a special occasion 

Very nice Sopwell house afternoon tea and spa- St Albans , Hertfordshire

 Finally got to use the voucher my husband got  me for Christmas two years ago. 

It was a spa day with afternoon tea at Sopwell house in St Albans , Hertfordshire. 

We spent 2 hours in the spa before the afternoon tea at 4pm. It was nice as we could go to it in our white bath robes and slippers provided by the spa. 

The brassiere was nice and Cosy looking with doors leading out to seating in the lovely garden area. It was not warm enough for us  to sit outside. 

After being shown to our table we was handed the menu which included the hot drinks. It did not go into details of the food you get with the afternoon tea just the prices. Traditional afternoon tea priced £29.95 each weekdays or £34.95 weekends. If you want champagne afternoon tea it's about £10 more each. 

The voucher was for traditional one but we decided to order a glass of champagne each. My husband got a shock when we got bill at end as it was Tattinnger champagne £13.95 glass.....it was nice 

 The waiter took our drinks order and said we could have more tea or coffee if we want. The afternoon tea stand arrived and I was pleasantly surprised. 

We had 4 different sandwichs each in nice flavoured bread. There was a egg mayonnaise one, smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese and a chicken one. They were all nice and very fresh. Once we had eaten them all the waiter asked if we wanted anymore. We decided not too as wanted room for rest of the food. 

The scones were very generous in size and freshly baked. We got a plain one and fruit one each with a pot of jam and clotted cream. They tasted very nice and light and fluffy inside. I asked for some more cream and jam to go on my last scone and the waiter brought this over along with two more warm scones. My husband who is not really a scone fan had another one as he even said they were really nice too. 

By now I was starting to feel rather full however managed to squeeze in the 6 cakes on the top tier. We cut each one in half so we could both try each one. Good job really as would not of been able to eat 6 whole ones each !!!!

My favourite one was the rich gooey chocolate square and the Battenberg cake. 

The waiter did however ask if we wanted anymore cakes and I noticed that they gave another table an additional plate of cakes so they could have one each. They were so generous and kept asking if we wanted anymore food . Its a shame that the 5 star hotel I went to on Saturday did not do the same as they never asked if we wanted anything else !!!!!

I was so impressed with this afternoon tea the food was all very nice . 

Nearest Station :  Not sure as we drove there   

Best bits :  Lovely food all very fresh and tasty. Also the service and fact we got offered more food and hot drinks . 

Worst bits : Nothing all good 

Value for money : Yes considering we could have more food

would I go back? : Yes I  would maybe in the summer just for afternoon tea so we can sit outside in the garden 

Rubens at the Palace hotel disappointing afternoon tea - Buckingham Palace Road , London

 My 2nd birthday afternoon tea and was disappointing. 

So looking forward to this as a five star London hotel and not in been before. I booked the bottomless champagne afternoon tea priced at £75 each however I only paid £45 each as brought a buyagift voucher when they were offering a discount. I never pay full price unless I have to !!!!!

The hotel was lovely but the service let it down. 

We was greeted by smartly dressed doorman who asked us to wait in reception as we were about 15 minutes early. Whilst waiting I went to the bathroom which was impressive and very nice. 

Our table was small and facing the window which out looked onto the street and the palace mews entrance. Great seat for people watching but at same time had our backs to rest of the restaurant lounge. 

We were given the menu and asked if we had any allergies. The waiter then took our order for hot drinks and poured us a glass of champagne. I was rather disappointed that it was unbranded champagne and not Lanson as marked on our glasses and  on the menu should you order per glass. For £75 each I would expect Lansons brand. 

The menu sounded very nice especially the honey and white chocolate scones 

ROYAL AFTERNOON TEA

SANDWICHES

Smoked scottish salmon & horseradish cream cheese
Coronation chicken & toasted almonds
Ham, cheese & tomato chutney
Egg & watercress
Cucumber & cream cheese

SCONES

Traditional plain & honey & white chocolate scones served with homemade seasonal fruit preserve & clotted cream

PASTRIES

Gin & tonic macaron a gin & tonic is the queen’s tipple of choice. This macaron has an uncanny g&t flavour without the addition of alcohol
Lemon & elderflower cube an ode to the duke and duchess of sussex’s baby archie: the royal couple’s wedding cake flavours showcased in a baby box
Peach mousse grown in the orchards at windsor castle, peaches are queen elizabeth ii’s favourite fruit
Earl grey & chocolate orange crown jewels our earl grey cheesecake and chocolate mousse crown jewels are a homage to her majesty, the queen’s love for tea and especially earl grey tea
Seasonal Rubens éclair inspired by prince charles’ sustainability farming

When the afternoon tea stand arrived it was very tall and placed on the floor next to our small table. The cakes on top looked very fancy.

We wasted no time in tucking into the sandwiches on flavoured breads, We got five different ones each and they were all very tasty and fresh. I liked the coronation chicken and the ham and cheese one best. 

The restaurant was getting busy now and our champagne glasses had been empty for about 20 minutes so we had to ask for a top up and also another glass of tap water.  For a 5 star hotel I expected better service as they did not even offer us any more sandwiches. Not that we wanted any but a good hotel afternoon tea should be offering more and checking if everything is ok with it. 

Next we started on the scones  and the waiter  asked if we wanted any more tea of coffee. 

The scones were not warm but may of been to begin with. They were light and fluffy inside and very nice. We had to ask for another pot of homemade jam and cream as there was not enough for 2 scones each. Although the scones were very nice I did not think the white chocolate and honey one tasted that much different. 

The five  cakes looked very nice but they were more like a dessert than cakes as all very creamy mouse like inside. Even the eclair looking one was not choux pastry just a soft mouse coated in a flavoured glaze like jelly. They were generous in size but as only got one of each type we had to cut them all in half which was a bit messy to do as very soft. 

Not at any point during out time did we get asked if we wanted any more food or if everything was OK . We also had to ask again for out champagne to be topped up. 

I was so looking forward to this afternoon tea as good reviews and a well know 5 start hotel..........Left feeling a bit disappointed. 

Nearest Station : Victoria station - about 6 minute walk

Best bits : Nice sandwiches on different breads and nice scones

Worst bits : Overall service and cakes at the end 

Value for money : No not for £75 each with cheap non branded champagne 

would I go back? : No sorry I do not think I would  

Pretty pink afternoon tea at Lo Bella in Loughton, Essex

 First of 4 birthday afternoon teas......

Keeping it local for a change and went to this little pretty cafe in Loughton Essex with my 2 friends and my mum.  I booked it a few weeks ago as I know sometimes they close for private parties and wanted to make sure they had a table for us. 

The afternoon tea is priced at £16.50 each including pot of tea or you can swap for one cup of coffee . Extra charges for additional drinks apply. Which I think is a bit mean as it would not hurt to let us have a second drink for free as not much cost to them.  I just think these little things do make all the difference when reviewing or recommending to others. 

Anyway I do not want to  moan too much as the afternoon tea was very nice indeed. 

I loved the inside of the café as it was pink which is my favourite colour and decorated with lovely flowers and angel wings on the wall.  Very pretty with lovely tables and chairs. The cups and saucers and plates were either pink or blue with gold edge and the cutlery was also gold. Each table had a China crown shaped bowl containing the sachets of sugar. 

We all ordered our drinks and 2 afternoon tea stands were placed on our table. 

The sandwiches were extremely fresh and must of just be made. We had a good selection consisting of ham and cheese with pickle, egg mayonnaise, cream cheese and cucumber and smoked salmon. There were lots of sandwiches on the bottom tiers and we probably got about 8 each . Very generous and tasted nice. 

Next we tucked into the scones, one fruit one and one plain one each with little jar of jam and pot of clotted cream.  I do not think the scones were homemade or freshly baked but they did taste very good. I think the plain one may of been a clotted cream one as it tasted rich and creamy inside. I could only eat one and a half scones as wanted to save room for the cakes. 

We had 3 different small cakes each. My favourite by far was the red velvet which had a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.....

We also got a gooey Oreo brownie square and a slice of lemon iced loaf cake. Not sure if they had been home made but they all tasted delicious 😋

At the end I took our leftover cakes home for my son to try, he said they were nice too. 

We had a lovely afternoon tea at Lo Bella and would go back again

Nearest Station : I drove but Loughton underground station is a 15 minute walk  

Best bits : The décor inside and the lovely fresh sandwiches and red velvet cake 

Worst bits : Nothing apart from having to pay for additional coffees

Value for money : Yes it is as food very nice

would I go back? : Yes I defiantly would