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. 

Clermont afternoon tea - Charing Cross London

 Much needed afternoon tea today with my mum. It's been a few weeks since my last afternoon tea so was looking forward to this one. 

This is a lovely hotel next to Charing Cross station. I had a brunch here with my hubby which we enjoyed so decided to try the afternoon tea. 

I got a good deal by buying a Groupon voucher with a discount code . I paid £42.50 for two with a glass of bubbly each which is good value compared to the menu price of £70 for two !!!!!!

The hotel is very grand inside with a large sweeping staircase case up to the restaurant . I would say it has a slight Art Deco feel to the hotel interior but with a modern twist. 

The afternoon tea is served in the lovely lounge that has  large floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Strand below. It has velvet chairs and bench seats with  cushions. and bright floral china on the tables. There are gold pillars and chandeliers which have a leaf design. It feels very bright and cozy and I liked all the hanging pots of artificial plants. 

Once seated we was handed the menu and asked if we had any allergies. 

A glass of bubbly was brought over to us and we ordered a cappuccino each . About 15 minutes later the tea stand arrived 

As my mum does not like mayonnaise they gave her a plate of sandwiches specially made for her. We got four finger sandwiches each which were extremely  fresh and tasty. I liked the ham one best. 

I was slightly disappointed that we only got two scones between us and the fruit one was small compared to the plain one. There was 2 mini jars of jam raspberry one and strawberry one plus pot of thick clotted cream. The scones were still warm and we cut them in half to share. I must say I enjoyed them and they were nice and light inside. 

After the scones I ordered another coffee before tucking into the four cakes we got each. 

The chocolate orange tart was very nice and so was the pink buttercream topped sponge with raspberries inside. I thought the macaroon was not that great but the mini Victoria sponge was nice. 

We did not get the Earl Grey panna cotta mentioned on the menu and I did not realize this was missing until I started to write this blog.

 It did not matter too much as we left the hotel full and content.

Nearest Station :    Charing Cross  - about 2 minute walk 

Best bits : The lovely lounge and fresh sandwiches  

Worst bits :  Only 2 scones between us and fruit one was small. 

Value for money : Yes defiantly if you have the Groupon voucher   

would I go back? :  Yes as I like this hotel inside and where it is by the station. 

Copthorne Tara Hotel Groupon afternoon tea - Kensington London

 

Saturday I took my mum for a bargain afternoon tea using a Groupon voucher. It was a Prosecco afternoon tea for 2 at the great bargain price £23.95. that is under £12 each which is amazing !!!!!!

The normal price is £19 each without the Prosecco

I was not expecting it to be like the posh London hotels but the menu and photos online looked good so decided to give it a go. 

https://media.millenniumhotels.com/Live/D/4/1/D415C7F0-C967-49CF-ABC8-AECD72A32C59/TARA%20Tea%20Lounge%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf?r=211208151218

We got a underground train to high street Kensington station and then it was just a 5 minutes walk from there. 

It was a very large modern style hotel that lacked the character of some older posher London hotels but looked ok. The reception area inside was huge and very busy. 

The afternoon tea is served in a lounge area along a corridor. Its small and decorated in floral and bird wallpaper with two small chandeliers handing from the ceiling and some wall lights. 

The tables were laid out with mismatched cups and saucers and plates in a shabby chic style. The napkins were paper and not cloth and we was not given a menu to look at. 

Our waitress asked if we had any allergies and and we said no but informed her that we do not like fish and that my mum no mayonnaise. She asked us what we wanted to drink and we both ordered a cappuccino. 

The coffee was in a large mug and tasted very nice and creamy.

Whilst waiting a few more people arrived for afternoon tea and I wondered if they too had a voucher deal. 

We waited about 25 minutes for the afternoon tea stand to arrive, it was nice shape with oblong plates on the stand. The waitress also brought out a glass of Prosecco each which was disappointing as it was served in a plastic glass !!!!!  It tasted OK but I could not understand the reasons for not serving it in a proper glass. Just did not make sense to me. 

The afternoon tea looked very different from the below photo online from the hotel 

We had to ask the waitress what was in the sandwiches and she said no mayonnaise or fish. I think that there may of been some mayonnaise in the cheese one as it was like the cheese and onion spread you buy in tubs from supermarkets. My mum said it was nice as she could not taste the mayonnaise . The chicken sandwiches were more like chicken pate but tasted nice. We did like all five of the sandwiches and they were fresh and in different types of bread. 

Next we had the fruit scone each was was large and still warm. To go with the scone we got a mini pot of Tiptree strawberry jam  and mini pot of clotted cream each. 

It was a nice scone but nothing special. 

Before tucking into the cakes I ordered an Americano coffee. We got  four different little cakes to share and a tiny glass filled with fresh cream and raspberry coulis each. 

The cakes consisted of  an almond tart, raspberry choux bun, apple cake and a cream fruit gateaux. 

We cut them in half so we could both try them 

They all tasted nice but once again nothing amazing and not sure if made in house or brought in ready made. 

Overall it was a good afternoon tea for £12 however not sure I would feel the same paying £19 each without the Prosecco !!!!!!!

Nearest Station :    High Street Kensington underground  - about 5 minute walk 

Best bits : The sandwiches with different types of bread  

Worst bits :  The Prosecco in a plastic glass,  felt cheap but tasted OK 

Value for money : Yes defiantly if you have the Groupon voucher   

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

Rabot Hotel chocolate afternoon tea - Borough Market, London

Saturday 23rd April 2022 

Had a lovely afternoon tea today with my mum after a stroll around Borough market . This is my third visit to this restaurant and second afternoon tea here. I had a Buyagift gift voucher for this which cost £49 for two with a glass of Prosecco. The normal price is £35 each plus extra £5 for glass of Prosecco. So by buying the voucher at discount price I got a good deal. 

I like the setting of this restaurant with its outside terrace overlooking the market below.  It also gave  me an excuse to buy some chocolate almond croissants for Sunday morning and some meat pies for dinner. 

When you walk into Rabot there is small busy cafe downstairs and in the corner a display and shop selling the lovely chocolates. The cafe is where you can grab a quick drink including the delicious creamy hot chocolate flavored drinks and snacks. Upstairs is the restaurant and terrace where we were seated for our afternoon tea. 

We was handed the menu and the waiter acknowledge our allergies and dislikes I had mentioned on the booking.

AFTERNOON TEA OF THE GODS 

SANDWICHES

 Egg Mayonnaise Brioche 

 Pea & Tarragon Mousse on Rye Sourdough 

 Gin Salmon, Cream Cheese & Dill Lightly smoked Scottish salmon, 

 Creole Chicken with Pumpkin Mayonnaise 

 Marinated Beef & White Chocolate Horseradish 

 CAKES & SCONES 

Strawberry & Vanilla Cheesecake 

 Chocolate & Cherry Gâteau Opéra 

 Fresh-Baked Sultana Scone & Cinnamon Scone Lavish your way. Strawberry jam, clotted cream or 70% chocolate ganache 

 Tasting Chocolates Ask your server for today’s selection. Accompanied by cacao beans. 

We waited about 20 minutes for the afternoon tea to arrive but did not mind as we chatted away and sipped our proseeco. 

It arrived  on a wooden stand and looked very nice. The sandwiches had been made fresh especially for us without mayonnaise and instead of salmon we got two beef ones each. They made us just plain egg sandwiches and plain chicken ones. I loved the chicken one best as it had little chocolate nibs in which gave it a slight crunch and nutty taste. 

I ordered a cappuccino and my mum tried the hazelnut praline hot chocolate. She said it was nice and made a change from coffee. 

Next we had the scones which were still warm

On the wooden plate were three white pots one with strawberry jam , one clotted cream and third one a chocolate ganache cream which was nice on the scones and not too sweet just very  chocolaty 

After the scones which were lovely I ordered a salted caramel hot chocolate and my mum had a coffee this time. 

With this afternoon tea you only get two very small cakes and two chocolates. However I think the sandwiches and scones are generous in size.  Also we got one chocolate each plus a large chocolate covered shortbread biscuit so could not complain as this was really nice and perfect with my hot chocolate drink which was lush  !!!!!

The two cakes we got each  just could of been a tiny bit bigger as they were really nice and very different from each other in flavor. The biscuit base of the creamy cheesecake had chocolate nibs in and the the cherry cake was a bit like a black forest cake. 

At the end of the tea and the cake stand empty i asked the waiter if we had anything to pay as had given them the voucher ? 

We got a bill just for the second drinks we had, I was not surprised but just think that they could include two drinks each in the price !!!!!!

Overall lovely afternoon tea in a great place 

Nearest Station :     London Bridge - about 5 minute walk however we went to Monument station and walked across London Bridge which took only 9 minutes 

Best bits : Scones with chocolate ganache spread and chicken sandwich plus the location 

Worst bits :  Nothing really apart from charging for second hot drink 

Value for money : Yes with discount voucher but at £35 each I  would want slightly bigger cakes  

would I go back? :  Yes I would 

 

Chocoholic Easter Afternoon tea at Podium Hilton Park Lane, London

 This afternoon never fails to disappoint.....It must be around my 6th visit there. I call it the chocolate plate one which I will explain later!!!!!

I went there Friday April fools day and also the first day of their Easter theme afternoon tea. They changed the theme with special occasions and I have also been to the Christmas themed one. 

My friend Michelle came with me and we celebrated her birthday.  The Hotel is large modern and luxurious inside and worthy of the £32 price for the afternoon tea.

We were shown our table and handed the menu https://www.podiumrestaurant.com/pdf/special_events/Easter-AT-Menu-22_20220318.pdf

Our waitress took our drinks order and asked if we had any allergies. I ordered a cappuccino and my friend a pot of breakfast tea. Our waitress Najat was very friendly and enthusiast and could not do enough for us. She made us feel special and relaxed.

First came the sandwiches on separate plates . Mine had no fish  so I got two mini coronation chicken rolls and two egg mayonnaise sandwiches plus a cucumber and cream cheese one . They were very fresh and I liked the little  chicken brioche roll best it was very nice. 

Once we had finished our sandwiches the waitress brought over the cake stand which was oblong in shape . It contained four scones plus six  cakes which looked amazing and very pretty. 

The scones were still warm and we got a plain one each and then we shared a fruit one and a chocolate one by cutting in  half each. As well as the traditional jam and clotted cream we got a pot of salted caramel sauce which tasted delicious on the scones. The scones were lovely and light and fluffy inside. 

We both enjoyed them very much..... 

After ordering another drink we started on the cakes . We cut them in half which seemed a shame as they looked so pretty and a lot of work had gone into making them. I prefer to get two of each types of cake rather than cutting them in half but they were a good size and even I would not of been able to eat whole ones 

All the cakes were really nice but we both thought the panna cotta in half a chocolate egg was lovely and so creamy 

I also liked the Lemon and Blueberry sponge cake with nest on top and the chocolate choux banana bun. 

As it was an Easter theme some of the cakes had chocolate mini eggs one as well as fondant flowers and  chocolate decorations. 

 I almost forgot to explain why I call it the chocolate plate afternoon tea...............

Well the first time I went here with my mum a few years ago the cakes on the top tier sat upon a plate that was made of solid white chocolate with a gold dust. My mum did not believe the plate was made of chocolate until I broke it in half !!!!! It was nice chocolate too.  Evert time I have been there since there is a chocolate plate which is different and goes with the theme at the time. 

This time it was a green chocolate oblong with sugar sprinkled over it 

I had a lovely afternoon at the Podium  chatting to my friend over a wonderful afternoon tea with excellent service from Najat. We did not get offered any more food but I think if we had asked she would of given us some extras. We only just managed to finish the food we had and felt very full after. 

Nearest Station :     Green Park underground - about 8 minute walk

Best bits : Everything but best off all the salted caramel spread on the scones and pretty decorated  cakes 

Worst bits :  Nothing  

Value for money : Yes extremely good value for what we got plus it is a nice hotel 

would I go back? :  Yes defiantly for the Christmas theme one or maybe sooner !!!