Cost – 49.00 Euro per person (August 2023)
Parking and Access – This hotel is situated in the centre of Amsterdam. There is parking available at the hotel. However, it is very expensive. It is better to reach the hotel using public transport, or on foot. Amsterdam is a compact city, with narrow roads, often crowded with pedestrians.
There are no steps up to the entrance, with the Oriole Library, where Tea is served, just a few steps away from the reception desk.
There are toilets available near the library. These are accessible on the flat.
Background – We were visiting Amsterdam whilst on a short cruise. I knew that Afternoon Tea (often called High Tea there), was a thing in Netherlands, so I started looking for a suitable Afternoon Tea to try out. I had left it a bit late, and several were fully booked for the day we were visiting. However, I spotted the Tea at The Grand, liked the sound of it, and was able to book online.
Options Available – There were no options for this Afternoon Tea.
Contents (per person) – A tiny cheese choux bun, topped with a salmon and dill mousse. A small brioche sandwich (egg mayonnaise), three rectangular sandwiches (chicken, smoked salmon with cream cheese, hummus). One small fruit scone, and one small plain scone. A dish with a small amount of strawberry jam, and a dish with a small amount of clotted cream. A mini mascarpone and berry tart, a little choux bun with camonile and elderflower , an apricot tart on a biscuit base and a glass containing rice pudding with ginger. A glass of sparkling tea, a glass of cold infused tea, a pot of oolong tea and a glass of iced, cold infused tea.
Comments – We were shown through to the Oriole Library of The Grand Hotel, and offered a choice of tables. It is only a small room, containing just seven tables. We had a table by the window.
The table was laid with very pretty bone china cups and saucers with a gold leaf pattern on the white saucers.
There was also a lovely, interestingly shaped, four-tier cake stand with two plates, which matched the saucers, on it. There was a dessert knife and fork each, and a white linen napkin. There were wine glasses as well, but these where removed when we said we didn’t want any champagne.
We were brought a glass bottle of still water, and two tumblers.
The first thing we were served was a chilled glass of sparkling tea. We had never heard of sparkling tea before, but both agreed that it was very refreshing.
We were then served a little amuse bouche. This was a tiny cheese flavoured choux bun, with salmon and dill mousse topping. It was very tasty.
Next to arrive, was a glass of cold infused tea. The waitress told us she had made the tea 24 hours ago, by pouring cold water onto the special tea leaves, that had been picked early in the morning. We were a little dubious, but it tasted fine. Just like a delicate, cold tea!!
The first part of the Afternoon Tea arrived next. We were each given a plate containing our sandwiches. These were all really tasty. The chicken was slightly spicy and was mixed with something red. The hummus was not too garlicky at all, and was also mixed with something. All of the sandwiches were very well filled and were freshly made. They were delicious.
The next items to arrive were the scones held in a bamboo steamer basket. They were accompanied by a plate containing two small dishes, and two small spoons. The dishes contained a small amount of jam and a small amount of clotted cream. Two more plates were put onto the cake stand. One containing two apricot tarts, the other with two choux and two berry tarts. Finally, we were given two glasses containing the rice pudding with ginger.
We were then brought a lovely white and gold teapot containing Chinese Oolong tea. The pot featured a gold picture of a leafless tree. The waitress told me all of the leaves had fallen off on to the plates!!
The tea was a very delicate flavour, drank without milk. There was enough for two cups each.
The scones were quite small in size, but were warm and fresh. The fruit scones had barely any fruit. In fact, my companion suggested they had just pressed a raisin in the side of each, to make them fruit scones!! However, they were still nice scones.
The jam was very runny and completely smooth. There was not enough for the four scones, and we really had to eke it out.
It was the same with the small quenelle of clotted cream. There was nowhere near enough, and we had to eke for all we were worth!!!
Finally, we came to the cakes.
It is my policy to always try to save the best until last. This meant that the rice pudding with ginger was up first! I hate rice pudding!! However, I made a brave effort, as I haven’t tried it for a very long time. I’m afraid it only reminded me why I don’t like it! It was like eating small frogspawn! Yuk!
The mini choux pastry was interesting, but not our favourite. A bit too flowery.
However, the mascarpone and berry tart was delicious. Very good indeed.
Finally, we had the apricot tart, which was on a biscuit base. This was also very tasty and delicious.
After we had finished all of the Afternoon Tea, we were brought a glass each of iced, cold infused tea, with some lemon in it. This was a very refreshing end to our lovely, different, Tea.
Service was attentive and friendly throughout. The waitress explained things in perfect English, and checked we were ok on several occasions. There was generally a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the room.
This was an unusual Afternoon Tea. All the different forms of tea made it interesting. The, more normal components, were all flavoursome and generally enjoyable (apart from the rice pudding!!!). It was not particularly cheap, but was very enjoyable and we spent more than two hours there, without any pressure to leave. I would happily have this Afternoon Tea again.
| Savoury | 2.0 |
| Scone | 1.5 |
| Jam | 1.0 |
| Cream | 1.0 |
| Cake (variety) | 2.0 |
| Cake (quality) | 2.0 |
| Tea | 2.0 |
| Presentation | 2.0 |
| Service | 2.0 |
| Value | 2.0 |
| Total | 17.5 |
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The photographs are all my own.
I remain completely anonymous and always pay for my Afternoon Teas. They are never gifted to me by the businesses reviewed.
I am the legal copyright holder of the content and images on this blog.
Sarnies Scones and Cakes 