Cost – £28.00 per person (Nov 2023)
Parking and Access – There is parking available at the hotel, some of which is right outside the main entrance.
There are a few small steps to be negotiated between the car park and the restaurant. The toilets had level access from the restaurant, I believe.
Background – This Afternoon Tea was given to us by our son and his partner. They took a long time trying to find a venue we had not previously visited!
It is our two hundred and fiftieth venue!
Contents per person – Four different sandwiches, (smoked salmon pate with cucumber, egg mayonnaise, Coronation chicken and pastrami with pickled gherkin). Two small/medium scones (one plain, one apple and cinnamon), a mini jar of Tiptree strawberry jam, a small scoop of clotted cream. A tiny apple tartlette, a finger of chocolate cake, a salted caramel mousse thing and an Earl Grey posset with a mini shortbread finger. Pot of tea.
Options Available – There is a gluten free Afternoon Tea available. The standard Tea is also available with Champagne or Prosecco. There is also a ‘supreme’ Afternoon Tea, which is the same as the standard version, but with the addition of a couple of extra savoury and sweet items.
Comments – This was a special Tea for us. It was given to us by our son, and it is our 250th Afternoon Tea venue!
When we rang to book our Tea, we were told that the only time available was at 2pm. So, we were surprised on arriving, to find a large restaurant with just four other tables in use. Only one with Afternoon Tea.
The table was laid with plain white china, linen napkins, folded like a shirt collar, with a knife and a teaspoon tucked in, and a glass each.
We were also given a menu each. However, not one of the items mentioned on the menu were included in our Tea!!
We were given a carafe of cold water, and asked for our drinks choice. We both asked for English breakfast tea.
The tea arrived quickly, in a round, white teapot, with matching white milk jug.
The tea was a little strong, so we each poured a cup, then asked for some hot water to top up the pot. This arrived in a separate jug, which we then poured into the top of the teapot.
The Tea was delivered on a three-tier cake stand, with round white plates.
As usual, the bottom layer contained the sandwiches. These were all freshly made and were fairly well filled. There was a mix of brown and white bread.
The scones were not warmed up, and were quite small. The plain scone was very good – freshly made and tasty. However, the other scone was the star of the show! It was an apple and cinnamon scone, and was absolutely delicious! It would have been even better if it had been warm, but was great, even though it was cold.
The jam was a standard mini Tiptree jar. Barely enough for two scones, even though they were small. However, there was nowhere near enough clotted cream. We asked for some extra. And were promptly given a second, larger, portion. This meant we had plenty, including some to put on the chocolate cake!
The top layer contained the sweet part of the Tea. All of these were tasty and fresh. The tiny apple tart was very good, but far too small! The chocolate cake and the salted caramel mousse thing were both flavoursome and enjoyable. Finally, the posset, which I was worried I would not like, as I do not like Earl Grey tea, was really good! Not perfumy at all.
Service was good. We were visited to check we were ok. And we were able to get hot water and extra cream with no problem.
The only issue we had, was that towards the end of our Tea, we were the only people left in the room. This wouldn’t have been a problem, but the restaurant manager, and a lady came in, and started rearranging the tables and chairs all around us, ready for the evening. It was only 3pm when we left! I really didn’t feel this was an acceptable end to our lovely Tea.
This is a lovely venue. The front of the hotel is stunning. The Afternoon Tea was delicious and nicely presented, and the staff were helpful. Our only real issue was the furniture moving all around us at the end of our Tea.
| Savoury | 1.5 |
| Scone | 2.0 |
| Jam | 1.0 |
| Cream | 1.5 |
| Cake (variety) | 1.5 |
| Cake (quality) | 1.5 |
| Tea | 1.5 |
| Presentation | 2.0 |
| Service | 1.5 |
| Value | 1.5 |
| Total | 15.5 |
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 