Tea and cake

I had the opportunity to get in a little Christmas shopping this afternoon and in between browsing, my mum and I made our way to John Lewis to use our vouchers for tea and cake.

I chose a chocolate fudge cake and my mum opted for a chocolate and orange sponge cake. The fudge cake was delicious!

Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Ritz

This post is really belated but The past month has just flown by. 

Last Christmas I was reading about festive afternoon teas in London but by November all the highly recommended venues were fully booked, so this year I was on the ball and come July(!) I reserved a table for christmas afternoon tea at the Ritz. 

I was a bit apprehensive after reading mixed reviews online - most said it was the wonderful experience you would expect but a few said service felt rushed and tables were cramped and at £70 per head you expect nothing short of perfection. 

We arrived at the Ritz about half an hour before our seating time and waited for the rest of our party in the foyer which housed the biggest and most festive Christmas tree I think I have ever seen. About ten minutes before we went to check in our coats and it took about that long to get to the front of the queue so it is worth getting there early to make sure you enjoy your full slot. 

We were then seated in the palm court which was decked out with garlands and ribbons with another tree in the centre. Within minutes of being seated our tea order was taken (the tea was delicious) and glasses of champagne were served. Shortly after the afternoon tea stands were brought out and they had been adapted to our dietary requirements. A different waiter served our tea but knew exactly who had ordered what without having to ask, which was  a nice touch. 

There was a wide selection of sandwiches and delicious pastries and of course scones - both plain and fruit - served with jam and clotted cream. As soon as one plate was finished the waiter brought out another plate to replace it and tea was refreshed before it could go cold - the service was seemless.

After we declared we couldn't possibly eat any more sandwiches or pastries, mince pies were brought to the table and then a waiter came round with a dessert trolley and you could choose from traditional christmas cake or a pear pie. 

All the while carollers were singing christmas songs accompanied by a piano which really made for a festive atmosphere. The service was excellent and the waiters were all friendly and helpful and when we asked one waiter if he would mind taking a group photo for us he did so happily. 

It really was a fantastic experience which I would highly recommend and really put me in a festive mood, but bear in mind that booking opens from July so if you want to go next year pop a reminder to book in your diary now!

Afternoon Tea

Last week I mentioned that I was going for my first Afternoon Tea experience. I was really looking forward to it, but unfortunately it wasn't very impressive, with a poor and limited selection of sandwiches, cakes which looked like they were straight out of a Tesco packet and being seated at a coffee table which was really uncomfortable for eating. A few days later we went to M&S for a quick lunch and discovered their Afternoon Tea for 2 package - sandwiches, scones, tea and tartlets - for just £10. You choose your sandwiches and scones, and although it was a little plainer with no choice of cakes I think it was good value for money. The only thing I missed was having it arranged nicely on a cake stand like the advertisement, which was a little disappointing, but having read other reviews online it seems that most M&S cafes do serve afternoon tea on a pretty stand.

My first Afternoon Tea Experience

P.s. I've also discovered a love of instagram - better late than never!