Cost – 14.95 (Sept 2014)
Background – The University Arms Hotel occupies a prime site in Cambridge city overlooking Parkers Piece, a large open grass area. The main part of the hotel is a lovely old building with little turrets at each corner. There is a nice atrium area with a glass roof and a large bar area which overlooks Parkers Piece.
Contents – 4 finger sandwiches (smoked salmon, ham, egg mayonnaise and cucumber). 1 fruit scone, a china spoon each of strawberry jam and clotted cream (between two!). A slice of chocolate brownie, a small cinnamon pastry, a small chocolate pastry and a bowl of panna cotta topped with strawberries soaked in liqueur, tea was tea bags.
Comments – We were shown to the bar area of the hotel for our tea. However, we would have preferred to have sat in the atrium area if we had noticed it on the way in. Unfortunately we only spotted it later. The bar area was pleasant enough but had large television screens which were on during our tea.
We were brought a white china teapot between us plus a pot of hot water. The tea was of good strength but was too weak when the hot water was added after we had poured the first two cups out. The rest of the tea was presented on a three tier cake stand with round plain white plates.
The sandwiches were fresh and well filled. However, the cucumber sandwich consisted of chucks of cucumber piled into the sandwich rather than slices!! There was a mixture of brown and white bread.
The scone was of a good size, well fruited and was tasty.
However, the portions of both strawberry jam and clotted cream, which were served on Chinese type china spoons, were so small they were ridiculous. We asked for, and received, an extra portion of each giving us enough each for the scone.
The cakes and pastries were tasty. The panna cotta was particularly delicious and was an interesting addition. However, it was in one bowl between the two of us and we were given no spoons with which to eat it!! We ended up using the teaspoons provided with the tea cups as neither of us have sugar with our tea.
Footnote – The University Arms Hotel is currently closed and is undergoing a complete renovation (2016)
| Sandwiches | 1.5 |
| Scone | 1.5 |
| Jam | 0.5 |
| Cream | 0.5 |
| Cake (variety) | 1.5 |
| Cake (quality) | 1.5 |
| Tea | 1.0 |
| Presentation | 1.5 |
| Service | 1.5 |
| Value | 1.0 |
| Total | 12.0 |
Sarnies Scones and Cakes 