Afternoon Tea. This is the second year I've been invited to go with Rich's mum, sister, sister in-law and niece! We had it at The King Edward Hotel, like last year and decided to sit out in the lobby area rather than the tea room. It was nice, because we got some natural light in through the windows and doors, unlike the room- which is a bit enclosed and not as open. We got to people watch and really take in the gorgeous interior! It was really nice having tea with all the ladies in the family.
Everybody had The King's Tea, which is served on pretty Jasper Conran bone china. I ordered my favourite lemon verbena tea (you could choose coffee or hot chocolate as well). The menu offered five varieties of finger sandwiches, two black current scones with Devonshire cream and preserves and finally a generous dessert plate.
After my sandwiches and one and a half scones, I was stuffed and had to take my desserts to go. While some of the sandwiches weren't the freshest (dry bread), my favourites had to be the smoked salmon/shrimp duo and the roast beef. The scones are always delicious and when I finally tried the desserts, the millionaires shore bread with salted caramel and chocolate was hands down the best thing, ever. The other pastries, however, were not as good. The berry pudding had to be my least favourite, as it reminded me of a sickeningly sweet cough syrup and soggy cake. I ate the fresh raspberries on top and left the rest. The Madeleine was an acquired taste (early grey is very floral and my taste buds weren't happy), as I am much more partial to the lemon poppy seed kind. Then there was the blueberry/lemon tart, which was completely forgettable. I wasn't even sure what I was eating at first and thought it was a blueberry almond tart! I guess it saves me a couple calories.
We might be trying the Royal York, in the future. Take a look at their menu and tea selection!
*I apologize for the quality of the photos- the lighting was poor.