Today I took my mum to s wonderful afternoon tea in the 5 star hotel Taj in London near Buckingham palace. They currently offer two types of afternoon tea , Alice Queen of hearts theme and Indian inspired one. I choose the Alice Queen of Hearts themed one to take my mum too. The Indian one looked nice and very different, I think I will try this one with my hubby another time. The Afternoon tea is priced at £45 each. I got it cheaper by buying a Buyagift voucher when they were offering a discount saving me just over £20
The hotel looked amazing and was set around a lovely court yard with a fountain in the middle. As well as a hotel there were residential suites which overlooked the court yard. It reminded me of the hotels in Dubai as similar style.
When we arrived we went to the wrong entrance but was shown the way by a very helpful doorman. As we was led through the hotel and court yard the staff all greeted us as we walked past them. I knew it was going to be a very good afternoon tea.
Our table was nicely laid with Alice in Wonderland china from the Victoria and Albert museum collection and dotted around the room were fabric decorated top hats on stands to go with the theme.
The menu sounded very nice indeed. We both ordered a
cappuccino and was given a glass of tap water whilst waiting
for the food to arrive
The waitress approached our table with two cupcakes and placed them on the small china stand and told us that these were red velvet cupcakes to start the afternoon tea off. Wow they looked amazing and also tasted amazing ........ I think it was the best cupcake I have ever had ......either that or I was just so hungry as skipped breakfast !!!!! We were both impressed and looking forward to what was coming next
Whilst we were tucking into these the waitress brought out the rest of the food which was served on plates for the sandwiches, gold stand for scones and a glass chess board for the cakes
My mum got her own plate of 4 sandwiches as she does not like mayonnaise or mustard. She enjoyed them all which is not always the case as she is fussy and not very adventurous with savoury food.
My favourite one I had was coronation chicken so when the waitress asked if we wanted anymore I asked for another one of these. Afterwards I wish I had not as by end of the tea I was very full up.
Scones were next to eat and these were still slightly warm so very fresh and tasty. We had a golden raisin one each and a plain one. Served with homemade strawberry jam which was really nice and clotted cream. They were light and not dry so I enjoyed them very much
Whilst tucking into these we ordered another coffee each and our water glass was constantly being topped up throughout the tea.
The cakes were very red in colour which was in with the Queen of hearts theme. They were decorated so well and it was a shame to eat them . There must of been a lot of work gone into them by the pastry chefs.
There was plenty of cakes, 5 each not including the cupcake we had at the start. Very generous as most teas you only get about 4 cakes each.
Below I have listed the cake names and description of them. They all tasted very nice indeed and did not disappoint
Running Late - a strawberry pocket watch macaron, intrinsically decorated with milk chocolate piping
Checkmate – a redcurrant and chocolate Battenberg cake in the style of a classic checker board
Tea Party at 6 – a dark chocolate hat, fitting for a mad-hatters tea party
Royal Flush - a mouth-watering orange semolina cake, adorned with fresh strawberries and blackberries in a chess-like formation.
Off With Their Heads - a delicious banana moelleux with a raspberry crémeux dress
It was such a lovely afternoon tea and the service was 5 star.
It is defiantly in the same league as the afternoon teas I have had at the Savoy and the Renaissance Hotel.
Nearest Station : Victoria station - about 10 minute walk
Best bits : Excellent service and amazing cakes . Also the amount of food we got for the price.
Worst bits : None
Value for money : Yes defiantly
would I go back? : Yes I will be going back soon with my husband to try the Indian themed one.