The Afternoon Tea Files: Jesmond Dene House

Afternoon Tea is one of the greatest pleasures in life. There isn't anything better than settling yourself down in a beautiful location only to know you're going to be spending a good few hours chatting, nibbling and relaxing. It's the perfect way to spend a rainy day (or sunny day, or any day really), which is exactly what we did recently at Jesmond Dene House.

 

I've been to Jesmond Dene House for afternoon tea a number of times but have never featured it on my blog, I've always been too busy chattering on and drinking champagne to even think about breaking the spell and picking my camera up.  So, when JDH contacted me and asked me to review their new Easter themed Afternoon Tea I was thrilled. Armed with my camera and trusty sidekick, Kris we jumped in the car and off to Jesmond we went.

I couldn't believe my eyes when our waiter placed the cake stand in front of us. The cakes were some of the most beautiful I've ever seen, delicate yet vibrant I couldn't wait to dig in.  Priced at £25pp I honestly think you'd struggle to find such quality patisserie at this price point, they've really pulled something special out of the bag here.

We, of course, started off with the savoury tier. This consisted of a cheese savoury and a ham, wholegrain mustard and tomato sandwich each. We were then delighted to discover a few cheeky characters lurking amongst the sandwiches, a cheese and butternut squash quiche and a bloody sausage roll! Any afternoon tea that features a sausage roll has instantly won me over. I mean, you can take the lass out of Newcastle and all that... 

Shimmying up a tier, it was scone time. A cheese scone which I slathered in butter, standard. I have to admit, it was pretty damn delicious, once of the best I've tasted. Next was a plain scone served with clotted cream and a choice of raspberry or strawberry jam (cream then jam, I'll fight anyone that says otherwise) then another festive addition, a fresh baked hot crossed bun. Hawt damn, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. May I add, the little nuggets of sugar on top were a revelation. Can all hot crossed buns have these in future? I'll start a campaign.

And now the part we've all been waiting for. The pièce de résistance, the cake tier *angelic music plays*. Ahh man, I can't even to begin to describe how delicious these little babes were.  I was faced with a dilemma, I knew I could only manage two at best relegating the other two to a box for later that evening. In the end I chose to eat the lime and raspberry macaron and the coconut and mango posset while saving the rhubarb crumble tart and chocolate mousse sable for when I got home and changed into my stretchy pants.

Sadly it just started raining again as we left, scuppering any plans I had of rambling through the beautiful dene but trust me when I say, it's an incredible place for an afternoon stroll. 

As always, Jesmond Dene House have knocked it out of the park, I've never had anything less than a wonderful experience whenever I've dined with them and this was no exception.  In the infamous words of Arnie, I'll be back.

Jesmond Dene House
Jesmond Dene Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 2EY
(0191) 212 3000

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Afternoon Tea: How Do You Do!

A few years ago I was lucky enough to visit the Sanderson Hotel for one of the infamous Mad Hatters Afternoon Teas and I've simply never stopped thinking about it.  Being a girl from the North East of England; trips to London are sadly few and far between, so I didn't think I'd have the chance to experience something as delightfully quirky again.  Much to my delight I noticed a marketing email from a local establishment How Do You Do advertising their Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea.  I didn't really need to read any more, I was already on the phone booking a table for my next day off.  

I'd already visited this eatery several times before it's charming re-brand, I can vouch that it used to make the best darned Sunday lunches ever. My expectations were high.

I wasn't disappointed.  We were greeted by a super friendly guy who talked us through everything to do with our tea, the service was quick and precise and the food was just delicious!  The Mad Hatters Tea was served with your choice of tea or coffee and also came with a fun tea pot cocktail.  We were told the cocktail is usually served spewing smoke from dry ice but sadly they'd run out after a particularly busy weekend.  Next time, I'm sure.

Every element was homemade from the jam for the scones to the delightful rhubarb soda in the drink me bottles.  The spinach and beetroot bread for the sandwiches was so vibrant and fun, I felt like I was tumbling down the rabbit hole with dear Alice.

The waiter informed us, before leaving, that they were planning on doing a Brighton Beach themed afternoon tea for the Summer months.  I certainly hope they do, I'm already planning on another visit!

How Do You Do
10 East Parade
Whitley Bay
NE26 1AP
0191 2533050

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Afternoon Tea @ Garden Kitchen

When Paula posted a review of new Newcastle eatery Garden Kitchen I felt I just had to pop down and try it for myself.  I'd wandered past a few times but never really gave it too much attention, I was too focused on pretty baking tins from Lakeland to slow my pace.  Then, last week, while at work in the studio a customer came down for a photo shoot with his family, that customer just happened to be the head chef at said restaurant.  We got to chatting about afternoon tea and he mentioned that Garden Kitchen do an interesting twist on the concept, an afternoon picnic.  Well, that was the last straw, I had to try it out for myself.

When our food came the delicious treats were presented on the most adorable little picnic table, so damned adorable I may have made a ever so tiny squeak of delight.  Upon our little bench was a selection of delicious sandwiches including egg mayo (which I usually despise but I gobbled the lot) and bacon, cheese and tomato.  As tasty as the sandwiches were it was the sweet treats really stole the show for me. A tiny peppermint crème brûlée served in an espresso cup, a Pimms jelly, salted caramel chocolate pot and a banana and passionfruit eton mess served in a jam jar.  The only downside to this wonderfully presented picnic was the restaurant had run out of sugar syrup for the home made lemonade so Kris and I settled for tea, but that's certainly no hardship for me.

If you ever find yourself in Newcastle and are suffering from what I like to call shopping fatigue I urge you to try out the Garden Kitchen.  Recharge those batteries in style.

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Laura Ashley - Pocket Friendly Afternoon Tea

I'm guest posting over at the wonderful Laura Ashley today. Go have a spy and see why Afternoon Tea doesn't have to break the bank!

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Afternoon Tea: Sanderson Hotel

While in London a few weeks ago Kris and I decided to partake in one of our very favorite activities, Afternoon Tea, of course!  I was originally planning on booking tea at the Savoy until I heard about this extra special, extra unusual tea on offer at the Sanderson Hotel.  They decided to take the sophisticated custom and turn it on its head before pushing it straight down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.  This is the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea!

I have to admit, I felt like a kid at Christmas when brought face to face with all this wonderous fare.  Rainbow sandwiches with spinach, saffron and beetroot bread, lollypops which explode in your mouth and even a drink me bottle which turns from apple pie to lemon curd to burnt toffee as you sup.  All of this was delivered in the beautiful surroundings of the hotel garden / conservatory.  It just couldn't get any better.

I can't even begin to describe to you what a magical experience this was, I can only implore you to go and see for yourself!

I shall leave you with the wise words of Alice herself, taataa...

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?

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Afternoon Tea: Seaham Hall

Seaham Hall is somewhere I've known of for many years now. Friends and family members have had delightful sounding spa days, delicious meals and have even worked in their prestigious kitchens, but I have never before experienced what they have to offer.  I'm not one for being poked, prodded and smeared with cleansing mud so I was left with the arduous task of sampling their afternoon tea menu, what a hardship.

That morning I had a few errands to run so we left the house on an empty stomach, a single cup of tea fueling my energy levels.  By 3pm I was famished and raking through my bag for lone sweeties, long since left over from my many cinema food smuggles. Our tummies grumbling we opted for the Full Afternoon Tea, still a little worried we may leave unfulfilled. Oh how wrong we were.

We were presented with a selection of sandwiches, a perfectly formed sausage roll which had Kris moaning with delight, both savory and sweet scones, and several cakes including my very favorite, chocolate banana bread.  Even with this eye pleasing bounty the lovely waiter then emerged from the kitchen carrying two fruit tarts, compliments of the chef, how wonderful!

By the time we'd munched and chomped our way through this banquet of treats I was around seven pounds heavier and eying up the chaise lounge opposite, itching for an afternoon snooze.  

I would highly recommend Seaham Hall for your Afternoon Tea requirements, but please, do make sure you're hungry and wear loose fitting clothes. Don't say I didn't warn you!

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