Huffkins afternoon tea - John Lewis Oxford Street London

 I had never heard about Huffkins until I saw it on Wowcher.  Huffkins is a chain that started with a small bakery in the Cotswold in 1890 and has expanded with  9 tea rooms in England plus online shop. 

I dedcided to book this with my mum and two friends for part of my birthday celebrations. We went to the cafe inside John Lewis in Oxford Street and got a great deal using Wowcher voucher. I paid just £39.99 for two with a small bottle of prosecco each. 

The cafe is situated on the 4th floor and has windows overlooking the street below. They have made it nice inside by adding a artificial flower arch. When we arrived a nice table had been reserved for us by the window. 

After about 15 minutes the waitress came over to take our order.  We ordered a hot drink each and the waitress informed us that there were 3 different sandwiches on each cake stand Coronation Chicken, Tuna mayo and Cheese and chutney relish with leaves. I asked if we could have two cheese ones instead of the Tuna mayo which she said was no problem.  We also had to choose between plain or fruit scone. 

The waitress brought over our cappuccinos  which were in a large cup and a small bottle of prosecco each. 

When the cake stands arrived they looked very full 

Each stand had 3 whole sandwiches cut into triangles so we got 6 triangles each plus some salad leaves in middle of plate. The sandwiches were nice and tasty however my friend who only wanted the cheese ones did not like the chutney inside as a bit spicy. We asked the waitress if she could just have plain cheese ones and they brought over a plate of 8 triangles and let her keep the ones with chutney. Therefore between us all we had lots of sandwiches and unfortunately could not eat them all. The coronation chicken ones were my favorite 

Next we had the scones which were still slightly warm and large in size. We noticed that they were very light and fluffy inside which is a sign of a good scone. To go with them we got a small jar of strawberry jam and pot of clotted cream each. 

By now we were all feeling rather full but i wanted to try the chocolate eclairs as they looked rather nice. On our stand we got a pink raspberry one and my friends got a chocolate one. They were big in size so we could cut them up into four pieces. 

Before eating these we had another coffee each and was informed that we get a free refill of hot drink with the afternoon tea. I was not expecting this so a pleasant surprise. Both eclairs tasted nice and had fresh cream inside. 

Unfortunately after eating these we could not manage the rest of the cakes so was given a nice box each to take them home in.  The other cakes were a chocolate brownie, Lemon drizzle cake and a Victoria sponge. 

We left the tea room feeling happy and full before having a look in the Christmas shop inside the department store. 

Nearest Station : Oxford Circus 8 minute walk.

Best bits : The amount of sandwiches and lovely scones  

Worst bits : Service was a bit slow as very busy      

Value for money :  Yes defiantly for what I paid and amount of food plus 2 hot drinks included each 

would I go back? : Yes I will be buying another voucher to use on a Christmas shopping day 

Sopwell House Afternoon Tea

 It was my daughters 30th birthday and for her present I took her for a Spa day at Cottonmill Club at Sopwell House in St Albans . It was a lovely day complete with relaxing treatments and afternoon tea. 

This is the second afternoon tea i have had here and it did not disappoint. For us it was included in the spa package but the menu price is £37 for weekdays and £44 weekends. ends. 

We had the afternoon tea in the Brasserie in our white robes. As it did not include champagne we both ordered a Bellini each and my daughter a bottle of coke which came to £34.   

It took a while for the tea stand to arrive and service was slow. I had to ask the waitress what the sandwiches and cakes were as not stated on the menu. 

We got 4 finger sandwiches each that consisted of Chicken one that was our favorite , Egg Mayonnaise and a Cucumber one in different types of bread.  As we do not like Salmon we got extra chicken sandwich each. They were nice and fresh and tasty.  We did not get offered extra but I noticed that a few tables did request more sandwiches and got them. 

Before starting on the scones I ordered a herbal fruity tea. 

The scones were freshly baked and we got a plain one each and a fruit one each. I ended up having both fruit ones as my daughter only likes the plain ones.  

They were tall in size with a lovely shiny top and served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. 

Its been a while since I have had a scone so really enjoyed them. 

Lastly came the cakes that I just had enough room for ......

I think they looked very nice and we got one of each of the four types. 

Strawberry Macaroon

Lemon mouse on biscuit base

Rich chocolate mouse with sponge and crunchy base

Coffee cake and mouse square. 

I struggled to eat them as so full up. My daughter had to take hers away in a box to have later in the day. 

My favorites was the coffee one and chocolate one but I think they all tasted lovely. 

Overall a lovely Afternoon tea however the service was slow and not attentive. 

Nearest Station : Not sure as drove there  

Best bits : The lovely scones and cakes 

Worst bits :Lack of service was not made to feel welcome      

Value for money :  I would say yes if you get extra sandwiches and cakes that I noticed other tables asked for.

would I go back? : Yes I would.