Sunday, 19 June 2022

Urban meadow cafe Doubletree Hilton -Hyde Park London

 Nice afternoon tea with my mum. Had a buyagift voucher that I got in 2020 for this afternoon tea that I paid £21.75 for including a bottle of Prosecco for two. 

This will be my third visit here as have been before with hubby for afternoon tea and also 3 course bottomless brunch.  It's not a posh hotel but modern in design with a lovely outdoor terrace which is perfect for a sunny day. The restaurant is light and airy with a nice leaf design. 



When we arrived I asked for a table outside but they explained that they do not serve afternoon tea outside but offered us a table that was by the open doors leading onto the terrace. It was like we was outside so suited us fine. 

I handed over the voucher and explained to the waiter that no fish for both of us and my mum no mayonnaise . He said that there were 3 different sandwiches and they all contained mayonnaise as pre made fillings. My mum decided to just order a bowl of chips and I would have the sandwiches without the salmon one. After a few minutes a waitress came over and said they could do my mum vegetarian sandwiches that had no mayonnaise so she cancelled the chips. I think the waiter did not understand but it was all sorted in the end. 

The waiter brought over our bottle of Prosecco in a ice bucket and poured us a glass each. It was nice and chilled and perfect on a warm day. 



We had to wait about 20 minutes for the tea stand to arrive as I think they had to make up my mums special sandwichs. We did not mind as we had the lovely Prosecco to drink whilst chatting away. 

The waitress brought over the tea stand which looked nice. 




We got 4 finger sandwiches each in brown and white bread. I had egg mayonnaise, cucumber and two chicken ones. My mum got cumber, cheese and tomato and a veggie filled one. She said they were nice and very fresh. I liked my chicken ones best. 

We both ordered a cappuccino before starting on the scones. 

The scones were small and we only got one raison one each with a small pot of jam and pot of clotted cream to share. It's a good job my mum does not like clotted cream as it was a very small pot and I do like a lot on my scone !!!! 

The scone was warm and nice but would of liked another one !!!!




Lastly we had the cakes which looked nice however we only got three small ones each. There was a chocolate sponge cake , pink strawberry cheesecake and a macaroon. I liked the cheesecake best it was nice and creamy. 

The waiter asked if we wanted another drink and I ordered just an Americana coffee whilst my mum finished her last glass of Prosecco. 

Before leaving I asked if the voucher covered everything and they said yes nothing to pay. So we just left a cash tip on the table as the service had been good. 



The afternoon tea is priced at £20 each if you book via www.afternoontea.co.uk which is not a bad price but if paying this  I would like perhaps another scone each and cake for this price. 


Nearest Station :        Queensway underground  - about 8 minute walk 
Best bits : Chilled bottle of Prosecco    
Worst bits :  Only one small scone each  
Value for money : Defiantly for my voucher but full price £20 each without Prosecco is an average price    
would I go back? :  Yes if I can get another great voucher deal  


Tuesday, 7 June 2022

Fab Mary Poppins theme afternoon tea at Mad dogs and Englishman - Leigh on Sea Essex

 On Saturday my friend Michelle took me to a wonderful afternoon tea at a quirky tea room in Leigh on Sea Essex. She has been there before for the Harry Potter theme and Beauty and the Beast and kept telling me how good it was. This time the theme was Mary Poppins so I was looking forward to it very much. I think it is priced at £38 each on weekends. 



As we walked through the door it took my breath away as it looked so magical inside and there was so much too see. Even the waitresses were dressed up like Mary Poppins !!!!!













There were open umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, merry go round horses on the walls, lots of fairy lights and flower garlands plus hats scattered around the rooms. Also as you walked in there was a old bicycle with wicker basket plus a roof top design against the wall. They seemed to of thought of everything relating to Mary Poppins ....I was so impressed and it all looked so pretty. 




The only thing I will mention is that it seemed a bit dark inside and having poor eyesight I struggled to read the menus. 

Mary Poppins menu



There was a separate menu for the drinks and for extra money you could have a cocktail from the wide choice available. 

Our table was decorated  with white and gold china plus a glass bottle containing cold milk for the tea and coffees. It was so busy and you need to book well in advance as it is very popular




I decided to try the Cherry Lane tea for a change and it arrived in a very large silver teapot. I think it needed longer to brew as not much flavor to it. 





Fist we got a tea stand with a plate of sandwiches each and on the top plate a hot piece of breaded fish and some chips in a newspaper style small cone. These were hot still and we also got a small jar of ketchup and jar of tartar sauce. 

We got 8 sandwiches each two of each type which included  brioche egg mayonnaise rolls, chicken coronation, ham and pickle and cucumber and mint. They tasted delicious and were very fresh. 

I liked the chicken ones best of all 


Next to arrive on our table was a black bowler hat with a stripped  paper bag inside containing two large warm fruit scones. On our table we also had two mini jars of jam plus a dish of clotted cream. 



Before we could eat these another stand was placed on out table that contained the cakes.....

Wow it looked amazing and I loved the little wooden musical merry go round 



The scones tasted very nice and generous in size 



By now I had almost finished my pot of tea so ordered a coffee. Cafeteria coffee is included but  if you want cappuccino or latte this will cost extra. 

The waitress brought me a large silver coffee pot which was nice and hot.   

Next we started on the cakes and sweet treats......




 













+

The glass contained Eton Mess topped with candyfloss and there was even a chocolate spoon with a spoonfull of sugar on which was actually popping candy. We both liked everything and by the end all the plates were empty and we felt full and very content. 

It was such a quirky well thought out themed tea and I will defiantly be going back for the next theme 







Nearest Station :    Not sure as my friend drove us there. 
Best bits : The theme and decorations plus the  food and service ...it was all good  
Worst bits :  I do not think there was any to mention 
Value for money : Yes defiantly for such a quirky place with good food   
would I go back? :  Yes already looking forward to the next theme 

 










Saturday, 4 June 2022

Fab Jubilee afternoon tea fit for a queen at Kona Taj 51 Buckingham Gate London

 How could i resist a Jubilee afternoon tea .........

There are so many available at the moment but i choose the one at Kona which is a restaurant at the lovely Taj 51 hotel. I have been here twice before so knew it would be a good one 

I managed to get it cheaper by getting a Buyagift voucher when they offered a discount code . I paid £148.20 for two of us with a bottle of Bollinger which is still expensive but better than the menu price of £190 for two.  I try not to pay full price for anything unless i have too!!!!!!!!



When we arrived is was extremely busy and we had a nice table by the window. The table was decorated with a gold crown and the plate was a special Jubilee plate. There was also a string of pearls and brooch on the table for decoration. On the window ledge next to me was a book to celebrate the Queens Jubilee which was full of lovely pictures. The whole table theme was very well thought out and executed. 




The menu was very nice and well put together with some facts about the Queen 






We waited about 10 minutes before the waiter came over and offered us our first glass of Bollinger along with tea of coffee. He also asked if we had any allergies so I just  mentioned that I do not eat fish. 

There were two special Jubilee  teas recommended on the menu and my hubby choose the Regal one which was Earl Grey with hints of bergamot and blue flowers . He said was very nice. I just ordered a cappuccino.



Shortly after a waitress gave us a little gold bell and said that if we ring it we will get a surprise......it was just a bit of a gimmick but fun. I rang the bell and two little gold carriages were brought out and placed on our table. They contained a strawberry and chocolate small ice cream bomb that was represented the ice cream served at the Queens wedding. 






Once we had finished this and our glass topped up with Bollinger the afternoon tea stand arrived. 



It all looked very nice 

The middle plate contained the sandwiches of which we got four each plus my hubby got an extra salmon one and I got an extra ham and cheese one instead of salmon. 

Each sandwich was named after a Royal residence......my favorite was the Buckingham which was cheese and ham and my hubby liked the Sandringham which was the Salmon one. The Windsor one was nice too as full of creamy egg mayonnaise. All of them were fresh and tasty and we asked for an extra one each which the waiter brought out to us. 



Next we had the scones which were still slightly warm. We got a fruit one each and plain one with silver pot of jam and clotted cream. My husband does his different to me and puts the cream on first whilst i always think jam first then cream on the top is the proper way to do it. 


 

More Bollinger was poured and I ordered another coffee to go with the amazing looking cakes. 



There were four cakes each and they all look amazing. 




A Royal Collection Earl Grey and orange mousse on sablé Breton biscuit. This had very subtle flavors with creamy mouse on crunchy biscuit base. It tasted very nice. 




Pêche à la Reine Alexandra Frangipane, peach and apple tart was my second favorite as I love this combination. The apple was made out of marzipan with chocolate stalk on top. 


The Gardens of Britain Rose and chocolate cake decorated with floral garnishes was very clever as each side of the square had a different flower printed on white chocolate. A rose for England, daffodil for Wales, Thistle for Scotland and clover for Ireland. 



The Crown Jewels Gold dusted Valrhona chocolate and rich tea biscuit cake. The work on this chocolate sphere was very clever and inside was a rich chocolate ganache in the shape of a rose . 

This was my favorite cake 



This afternoon tea was a lovely celebration of our Queen and we both enjoyed it. 



Nearest Station :        Victoria underground  - about 15 minute walk 
Best bits : The table decorations and themed cakes plus the Bollinger   
Worst bits :  None really but maybe they could of asked us if we wanted any more food rather than us having to ask them  
Value for money : It was expensive but we did enjoy it .   
would I go back? :  Yes I will once they do a different theme.