Afternoon Tea at Harrods

Having had such a wonderful time when I went with a friend using a Buyagift voucher to have afternoon tea at the Waldorf a little while back we were very keen to repeat the fabulous foodie experience.  Our plan is to work our way through the numerous restaurants and afternoon teas in London and report back to you all so you can see them in action and get a feel of each experience for yourselves from the privacy of your own homes.  I really hope you are not reading this on an empty stomach.

Afternoon Tea at Harrods

We took a look at the Buyagift site as we were really impressed with the level of service the last time we used them.  Yet again I struggled to decide where to go to next as there are so many fabulous afternoon teas on their site.  Finally, the decision was made and thinking back it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

The title of my post gives it away, but the afternoon tea we decided to experience was at none other than at the world famous Harrods store in London.  Once we ordered the gift experience from Buyagift the voucher took next to no time to arrive.  The afternoon tea experience makes a super gift and it’s not just foodies that are catered for on the site, they also have offers for days out, driving experiences, short breaks and much more .  Afternoon Tea

The day arrived and in our excitement and chatter about the previous Afternoon Tea we had experience recently the time flew by and we arrived at Knightsbridge Station.  A brief walk and we were at the world’s most famous department store.

Afternoon Tea

As we strolled through the store taking in the ambience we couldn’t help but notice some gorgeous handbags.

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What more could a girl want, a spot of shopping and a luxury afternoon tea, now that’s my idea of heaven.

Off to the Georgian restaurant with it’s bright airy room and extremely comfortable and spacious seating.  The attire here is smart casual.

Afternoon Tea at Harrods

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Afternoon Tea

The best time to come or should I say the quietest is during a weekday at around 11.30 when they open.  By about 1pm the room was much livelier although this did not in any way affect the service and it was not what one might called packed.

Tea Time!

A lovely light Jasmine Dragon Pearls, China tea was the perfect accompaniment for the impending feast.

A beautiful selection of savoury and sweet arrived at the table .

Afternoon Tea at Harrods

Our server for the two hours (that’s how long a time slot is) was the fabulous Loretta.  She ensured that the service was impeccable throughout the duration of the afternoon tea and was also kind enough to pose for photos too.  If the guys at Harrods are reading this I hope you know how great a member of staff she is.

Afternoon Tea at Harrods

Sandwiches

The sandwiches were dainty, freshly prepared (the bread was soft and not dry on the outside a tale tale sign of freshness) and there were four different ones plus a warm tartelette with sundried tomato and mozzarella which was yummy with the flavour of the sundried tomato really coming through nicely.  The pastry was lovely and crumbly and the filling aside from the generous chunks of sundried tomato was smooth and creamy.

Sandwiches from left to right (in the photo above):

Egg and cress on plain white bread

  It was nice as I do like egg and cress although I couldn’t see much cress in mine.  The filling was chunky and creamy and there was plenty of it.

Roast beef with blue cheese, rocket salad and caramelised onions in granary bread

This was a great mix of flavours that worked well and created a delicious sandwich which you will wish was full sized!  The most prominent flavours were the blue cheese and onion.  The inside of this sandwich was moist which was nice as you don’t always get that with sandwiches containing beef .

Turkey and sundried tomatoes in carrot bread

  The prominent flavour here was the sundried tomato which was nice, the flavours were not as strong as those in the beef sandwich so I would suggest eating the beef sandwich last.

Smoked salmon and herbs in beetroot bread

  I love smoked salmon and it was beautifully complemented by the selection of herbs that appeared to have been blended with butter and spread on the bread.  Just in case you’re curious you can’t taste the beetroot in the bread.

Efficiency

Once everything was close to vanishing the lovely Loretta appeared and offered us another plate.  Of course, it would be rude to say no.  After the second plate of sandwiches we were ready to tuck into the scones which again appeared perfectly timed like a military operation, it was flawless.  The scones were warm and ready for us to tuck into.

By this stage I was wondering whether I could bribe Loretta to come live at mine she was aware of everything happening in the room and was very efficient and fast.  If the tea needed refilling or even a fresh pot of tea brewed she was there to do just that before we batted an eyelid.

Plates were cleared between courses and fresh ones brought out and placed in front of one person and then a trip around the table (no leaning over one to get to the other) to place the second plate in front of the next person.

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Scones

We were brought two plain scones and two with raisins with the option of more if wanted.

We declined a second portion as by this stage we were getting pretty full!

The selection of toppings included lemon curd, strawberry jam and rose jam with rose petals.  Each was delicious but I struggled to decide which to use on the second side of the second scone (side 4).  And then a moment of pure genius I didn’t have to choose I could have all three which I suggest you all try.

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I bet your mouth is watering now, it would be hard to resist these gorgeous freshly made scones which were nice and buttery with a soft fluffy centre.

Pastries

Next a colourful array of delicious pastries that were simply stunning and tasted just as good as they looked.

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Mixed berry glamour

  This tantalising dessert was mouthwateringly tasty with a refreshing berry flavour.  It was lovely and smooth and not very tart and was one of my favourites from the selection.

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Next along was the vanilla millefeuille with Chantilly cream

  This was divine, the pastry was moist, with a buttery flavour yet still flaky and combined with the vanilla custard and topped with cream, the millefeuille in its entirety tasted superb.  If I wasn’t feeling pretty full by this stage I would have considered second helpings.

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This was followed by the banana toffee cheese cake

  I must admit this was not quite on par with the rest of the pastries. But they still managed to vanish all the same.

The vanilla eclairs looked really cute

  The choux pastry was exemplary and these were everything you would expect from an eclair.  I did think they could have made them a little more exciting though. Possibly changing them for a pistachio eclair or salted caramel.

Last but certainly not least was the jasmine macaroon

  In a word fantastic!  This was extremely delicate. It was tricky to not destroy it with fingers as it made the journey to our mouths.  This was moist and literally melted in the mouth and was really good.  I freely admit that it is even better than my homemade macaroons, I better get practising!

The final item served was a Harrods trifle which was exceptional

  It was the best trifle ever!!!  This strawberry trifle had just the right amount of sponge, compote, custard and crumbly topping. It was expertly made so that the flavours and layers combine like a dream.  It was almost a case of blinking and the trifle had vanishing it was that good and just thinking about it is making my mouth water.

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This was such a great afternoon. The atmosphere in the Georgian room was very relaxed, and combined with the fabulous service you won’t want to leave.  Hopefully the next afternoon tea will be just around the corner.

You might also like:

Champagne Chocoholic Afternoon Tea at The London Hilton Park Lane

Afternoon Tea in the Rose Lounge (Sofitel Hotel St James)

You had me at Afternoon Tea!

Afternoon Tea at The Millennium Hotel in Mayfair

Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

High Coffee at the Intercontinental Park Lane

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