5th Afternoon tea at The Melody restaurant St Paul's hotel - Hammersmith London

 On Saturday I took my husband back to the Melody restaurant for afternoon tea followed by drinks in the Whisky bar. This was my 5th afternoon tea here and still one of my favorites. Also one of the waiters remembered us from last year and reserved a nice table in the whisky bar for us afterwards 

It may be just a small hotel but it is very friendly and inviting. Every time I have had good food and service.

I used a voucher from Buyagift that cost me only £39 for 2 with a glass of Champagne each. The current menu price is £39 each so I got it half price when I purchased it in April last year...Bargain !!

The Afternoon tea is served in a small cozy dining room with windows looking onto the garden patio area. We sat at a small table for two next to a window. There was only one other table being used which soon changed as it started to get busy. 

We were poured a glass champagne each and handed the menu for the tea selection. I choose the berry fruit tea and my husband the African tea which the waitress recommended as a strong and popular tea to him. 

The afternoon tea stand came out after about 15 minutes and we both were feeling rather hungry. 

Along with this we also got a oblong plates each filled with small slices of freshly baked sourdough bread with butter plus  cream cheese, cucumber relish and Salmon with spoon of caviar for husband and beetroot and tiny blackberry spheres for me. 

Sorry I forgot to take a photo of it before I eat it.  It was really nice and bit different. 

The sandwiches consisted of small brioche egg mayonnaise roll and half a focaccia roll filled with Chicken and a cucumber and mint cream cheese sandwich. We also got a cheese scone each with a smoky spicy sausage spread to go with it. These were all very tasty and nice. 

Before starting the scones I ordered a coffee and my husband a different type of tea to try.

 The scones were slightly warm still and served with pot of blackberry jam and clotted cream. We got two generous size scones each, raisin with cinnamon one and plain one. 

The raisin and cinnamon one was delicious light and fluffy inside with just the right amount of cinnamon. Every time I come here the scones have always been lovely. 

On the bottom plate were the cakes and tiny desserts, 4 each plus a chocolate one to share. 

We had the macaroon first and my husband got a mango flavored one and mine was blackberry. 

Next i had the sponge cake which was topped with lemon buttercream. The sponge had an unusual taste so I asked the waitress what it was. She said it was a honey cake which then made sense as proper pure honey can have a strong flavor. It tasted OK but not my favorite. 

The yellow one was filled with a very soft mango cream coated in chocolate. We both liked this one as very light and creamy. The cheesecake topped with blackberry jelly sat on a crisp buttery biscuit base and tasted very nice.  

Lastly we shared the chocolate cake that was in the shape of a musical note.  

This was made of rich chocolate ganache and very soft and gooey to eat. 

Finally to finish a lovely afternoon tea I ordered a cappuccino and my husband had a double espresso

All of the hot drinks we ordered were included in the price which is good as some places charge extra for additional teas and coffees. 

Feeling very full and content we headed into the Whisky bar for a treat for my husbands birthday. 

Nearest Station : Barons Court underground  station - about 10 minute walk

Best bits : The delicious scones and bread plate    

Worst bits : Nothing to mention   

Value for money : Yes defiantly with my voucher however menu price is still good for the amount and quality of food. 

would I go back? : Yes defiantly.  

The Squadron - Rosey Lea tea room North Weald airfield

 On Friday I took my friend to a lovely tea room that was recommended to me by a work colleague. Its called Rosey Lea Tea rooms and they have 4 branches in Essex and Hertfordshire. We went to the once called The Squadron. 

It's at North Weald airfield in Essex. Once you enter the gates to the airfield it's about a 2 mile drive along the road and runways and we were told to be careful of any small light aircraft and go on the grass if they are on the runway. You just keep following the road and red line to the end were the tea room and carpark is. 

The building like a large shed from the outside with large windows onto an outdoor seating area  which looks out onto the runway. You get a great view of the small planes taking off and air ambulance helicopters flying past. 

We got there about 12.15 and it was already getting busy. It was nice and light and airy inside with simple marble effect tables and wooden chairs. Along the back wall was a wooden sideboard laid out with homemade cakes under glass domes. There were about 7 different ones plus some very large homemade scones.  

The menu has a good choice of hot and cold food including breakfast dishes, salads, jacket potatoes and different types of sandwiches. I must say the food is rather expensive but the potions are generous.  

We both choose the afternoon tea prices at £20.25 each. For this you get to choose a sandwich and slice of cake each plus you get a scone each with jam and clotted cream. I ordered a toasted brie, bacon and cranberry sandwich in granary bread and we both choose a slice of the Raspberry and white chocolate cake. 

The afternoon tea comes with a refillable pot of tea but we ordered a cappuccino each instead which the waiter said there would be a small extra charge for.  

We waited about 20 minutes for the food to arrive which came out on a traditional cake stand 

My toasted sandwich had loads of filling inside as as very tasty. 

Next we both had our scones that had been warmed up. They were huge and very nice especially with the jam and clotted cream. It was a struggle to eat it all even for me !!!!!!

We both ordered an Americana coffee each with milk on the side to finish with. 

There was no way that I could eat the cake as far to full after the scone so we asked for a box to take them home in. 

I eat the cake later that day at home and it was very nice with a light raspberry flavored sponge with a thin coating of buttercream. 

Overall a lovely cafe with good food, lovely homemade cakes and the staff are very friendly. 

Nearest Station : Not sure as I drove there.

Best bits : The wide choice of homemade cakes and sandwiches.   

Worst bits :  Nothing to mention  

   

Value for money :  It is expensive compared to other cafes I have been too but the food quality and service is good.  

Would I go back? : Yes I will take my mum there