The Sanderson Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea Review

Just off of London's Oxford Street is Berner's Street and it is here that you will find The Sanderson Hotel. Step inside and you are instantly transported into a fun oasis, home of the famous Lips Couch and serving up the famously themed Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea. 

I did my homework before I made my booking, I looked at the reviews and a few people mentioned that if you are seated in The Courtyard it can be a little cold. Blankets are provided but, as we were going in December and my mum had recently undergone a major (life saving) operation and felt the cold more than most people, I called to make my booking. At the other end of the line was the really lovely Mikey and he promised that we could sit in The Restaurant so I went ahead and booked. 

On the day I was mightily glad that I had made that phone call as the wind was whipping up a treat, it was bitterly cold and snow was on its way, literally, it arrived that evening!! We were shown to a fabulous and private booth and it made us very feel special, which was a lovely touch as this was a very, very special occasion for us. 

The staff were utterly fantastic, friendly, attentive and helpful to the extreme... one of them was always happy, offering to take pictures of us as he went past which gave us a good laugh :)

The afternoon tea is fun, quirky and most importantly absolutely delicious. Our package came with a free cocktail included in the price and this was a lovely touch too.

The menu

Savoury

Smoked salmon Scotch quails egg with caviar and cream cheese 

Stack of King of Hearts ham and Parmesan croque-monsieur

Cornish crab brioche roll with spiced avocado and coriander 

White Rabbit cucumber and cream cheese sandwich on pesto bread 

Sweet

Queen of Hearts rose and strawberry Jammy Dodger 

Mocha chessboard gateau 

Tweedle Dee lemon curd financier 

Mad March Hare vanilla pocket watch macaroon 

Chocolate and pistachio Blue Caterpillar 

Wonderland marshmallow magic mushrooms 

Mad Hatters lost carrot and fennel meringue 

Alice’s exotic fruits 'Drink Me' Potion'

Warm scones served with Cornish clotted cream and fruit preserve.

A nice mix of savory offerings, I loved the crab brioche roll in particular. The sweet treats were a genuine real treat, with the fun and magical theme carried through and thought out brilliantly. You cannot but help having a smile on your face as you sit down to devour each and every one. This was a faultless afternoon tea and with all the little touches, like the quirky teapots and mini bottles, it was just utterly delightful. The afternoon passed almost too quickly! 

I give it a A Mad Hatters 10/10 

The Sanderson Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea costs from £48 a person 

West Lodge Park Hotel Afternoon Tea Review

Who doesn't love an impromptu Afternoon Tea?

I  had planned to spend a day with my sister, baby niece and mum, not wishing to travel too far we made our way to West Lodge Park Hotel in Cockfosters, North London.

West Lodge Park Hotel is a Country House Hotel set in vast and stunning grounds in Hertfordshire. It plays host to weddings and functions but is equally welcoming to those dining out or wishing to enjoy the grounds and Sun Terrace.

Originally we had planned to have lunch but on a whim, changed our minds and decided to experience Afternoon Tea instead. As the sitting was from 3pm we had a little time to wait and were invited to take a seat in the bar. Although we just turned up and this may be okay to do during weekdays, I would personally prebook to avoid disappointment.

Afternoon Tea is served in The Mary Beale Restaurant and the walls are adorned with fabulous historical Art. The windows are floor to ceiling so the room is bright and airy and made for a lovely, relaxed environment to take tea.

A standard afternoon tea costs a very reasonable £23.50 per person and includes the following

Four finger sandwiches served on a variety of artisan breads 
Chef’s choice savoury item 
Two warm scones with Devonshire clotted cream and Tiptree jam 
Selection of three homemade seasonal cakes and pastries 
Café du Monde coffee or Newby of London tea

If you fancy an alcoholic tipple there are options of Prosecco or Champagne for an additional charge. Dietary requirements are also catered for.

Our only little niggle was that we didn't want the salmon sandwiches and would have liked an option from the vegetarian sandwich selection but were only allowed to order a replacement sandwich from the menu we were having which was a little disappointing.

Nevertheless the sandwiches were tasty and fresh. I loved the addition of a bitesize quiche.The scones were cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of crumble so as not to fall apart the minute you apply the cream and jam. The cakes were a good size and very nice, especially the fruit tart. A slight grumble would be that the macaron was more biscuit like than chewy and soft in the centre as I was expecting. All in all we had a great time, the afternoon tea was enjoyable, the setting lovely and the service friendly and pleasant.

If you don't want to head off to London to enjoy an afternoon tea, then I highly recommend making a trip to West Lodge Park Hotel.

I give West Lodge Park Hotel  9/10 

Bob Bob Ricard Restaurant Review

The day after I booked a table for two at Bob Bob Ricard, an email dropped into my inbox from CNTraveller.com billing it as one of the 12 most romantic restaurants in London. I had been wanting to go to BBR for years so it seemed apt that I used the excuse of our wedding anniversary as the occasion to go! Although, you most definitely don't need an occasion to visit, just go is my recommendation..

Bob Bob Ricard is the iconic Art Deco Soho restaurant serving a luxury English and Russian menu in London's most glamorous all-booth dining room. Famous for its 'Press for Champagne' button at every table, the restaurant boasts the accolade of pouring more Champagne than any other restaurant in the UK!

Despite it being famous for its Champagne, neither my husband or I had any. I know! The tall blonde one had a glass of red wine and I opted for an Espresso Martini. We also skipped the sub zero Vodka shots but we will have them next time we go!

The Espresso Martini was an ideal accompaniment to my meal, smooth froth with the perfect amount of alcoholic content.

Bob Bob Ricard's decor is plush and decadent and the booths offer privacy and comfort. Perfect indeed.

Service was faultless. Friendly and attentive. The atmosphere in the restaurant was buzzy for a Saturday afternoon and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

The tall blonde one had a starter which he very kindly let me share ... it was absolutely delicious and was demolished in seconds. Creamy avocado, soft, tasty crab and refreshing salad, with a dressing to die for. One of the best starters we have ever eaten.

Crab with Chilli & Avocado

For mains I couldn't resist ordering the Chicken Kiev served with creamed corn. As the tall blonde is dairy free it's a rare treat to have something like this and it didn't disappoint. Moist chicken filled with buttery moreishness and sweet creamed corn.

 The tall blonde one opted for the Pavé steak with Peppercorn & Brandy Sauce and we ordered a side order of Fries to share.

Of course I could squeeze in one of their famous desserts...

The tall blonde one chose Le Colonel - Lemon sorbet with Russian Standard Platinum Vodka

While I ummed and aahed over whether to have the BBR Signature Chocolate Glory or the Flaming Crème Brûlée - The Crème Brûlée won :) thus now I need to return to try my other choice - ha ha .

Now remember I mentioned how fab the service was .... well a waiter brought my flaming dessert to the table but the flame went out almost immediately... our original waiter saw the disappointment on my face and relit it so I could video it and share it on my insta stories - now that's what I call service ;-)

My long awaited visit to Bob Bob Ricard lived up to its expectations and more - we fully intend to make another visit and enjoy some of the rest of the menu... Personally, I cannot wait!

Bob Bob Ricard gets a 10/10

Hawksmoor Guildhall - Steak & Seafood Restaurant Review

When I got the opportunity to have a date night with my lovely husband (the tall blonde one) I seized the chance! I had been yearning to go to Hawksmoor, billed as London's best steak for a long time but various life events have meant that it had been put on the back burner, but, in February we finally got round to booking a table. I have to say my expectations were high and Hawksmoor had a lot to live up to.

Date Night Outfit

I emerged from Bank tube station on a dark, wet, evening and a big smile was there waiting to greet me.. yes the tall blonde one had come straight from the office, in his gorgeous blue suit and looked suitable sauve and dare I say it... sexy! The evening was ours and we were going to make the most of enjoying a peaceful meal without young fingers trying to grab at our meals, we were child free ...woo! 

We made the short walk to Hawksmoor Guildhall, excellent location if I do say so! and were soon whisked to our seats. The waitress was very friendly and service was most definitely with a smile. As we had booked an early sitting the vast room was virtually empty but by the time the food arrived at our table the restaurant was filling up nicely. The air was filled with a pleasant, buzzy atmosphere. As it is located in the heart of the City, there were a lot of business people dining out, but equally there was a nice mix of young and old, friends and couples on dates, all enjoying their meals. Trust me, I am a people watcher and made notes, lol. 

I had asked a few people for some recommendations prior to going and having already perused the menu I knew exactly what I wanted. 

I skipped the starters and ordered the following 

300g Rump Steak cooked medium to well done

Creamed Spinach side 

Triple Cooked Chips side 

Onion Rings 

A Marmalade Cocktail 

The Marmalade cocktail was a perfect choice. (A recommendation from friends) it was fruity and tangy but on the right side of bitter and wonderfully refreshing, slipping down my throat a litte too easily...I would order this again. 

The tall blonde one chose the following ( the onion rings we shared) 

400g Sirloin Steak done medium 

Buttered English Greens (without the butter!)

And another portion of the famous Triple Cooked Chips 

Washed down with a beer  - Kernel London Porter

A jug of water was also brought to the table for the meal. 

What can I say? 

My steak was cooked to perfection, it literally melted in my mouth. The chips were crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. In hindsight we over ordered and just one portion of chips between the two of us would have been sufficient. The onion rings were delicious, but my top recommendation is actually the creamed spinach. I was a bit nervous at ordering it as I do not like spinach. Well it turns out, it is all about the way it is cooked. The spinach was creamy, smooth and ever so slightly sweet. I devoured the whole serving, it was just too moreish to leave. Incredible. 

Once we had finished we were offered the dessert menu and whilst there were many options of temptation I knew it could quite possibly send me over the edge of feeling full to feeling more than full. As we had a tube journey to make, I chose to go with a friend's recommendation,  the lighter option - The Salted Caramel Rolos 

Crisp dark chocolate encasing a rich, sweet and delicious caramel with a salty bite to it. These were so good and a perfect way to end the meal. Even better, I held back on finishing my cocktail and sipped after a bite of chocolate made it taste like chocolate orange which I love! 

We had an absolute blast, conversation and laughter flowed and the food satisfied us immensely. We will be back. 

CHEERS! 

Afternoon Tea At The Ritz - Review

Having Afternoon Tea is one of my favourite things as regular readers of BeautySwot.com well know, so I was absolutely delighted to find that one of my birthday gifts was Afternoon Tea for Two at The Ritz.

Being The Ritz, we had to book a couple of months in advance and even then one of the few slots we were able to get was the last sitting on a Monday afternoon. So, in early September, off we went all dressed up, the tall blonde one in his suit and tie, me in a little black dress and patent heels, ready to enjoy the sumptuous treat awaiting us.

The first thing to note was the delightful, cheerful and friendly doorman who greeted us on our arrival. It really is the little touches that put a smile on your face. We made our way to the Palm Court where Afternoon Tea is served, and were shown to our table - you can see just how exquisite a setting it is from the photo above.

It was then time to choose our teas to accompany the Traditional Afternoon Tea -

I opted for the 'house' tea - The Ritz Royal English and after the sandwiches I tried The Rose Congou to enjoy with my scones and cakes - both equally delicious and delicate, neither needing milk or sugar to enjoy.

We had advised, when booking, that one of the party was dairy free and they brought separate sandwiches for the blonde one and explained the difference.

There was nothing surprising about the sandwich fillings on reading the menu, the offering pretty standard, but the colourful array of sandwiches were fresh, generously sized and decidedly moreish so we enjoyed a second serving!

Ham with Grain Mustard Mayonnaise on Sliced Brioche 
Cheddar Cheese with Chutney on Tomato Bread 
Cucumber with Cream Cheese, Dill and Chives on Granary Bread 
Chicken Breast with Parsley Cream on Malt Bread 
Scottish Smoked Salmon with Lemon Butter on Sourdough Bread 
Egg Mayonnaise with Chopped Shallots and Watercress on White Bread

These were then followed up by -

Freshly Baked Raisin and Plain Scones with Cornish Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserve Assortment of British Afternoon Tea Pastries and Cake

The scones were served warm and the blonde one received a separate dairy free batch which he said were most delicious. He was also brought his own separate plate of pastries which he appreciated and endlessly gushed about how tasty it all was... I couldn't disagree, the sweets were bitesize and the perfect balance of sweetness, fruitiness and a satisfying chocolate/coffee hit. I did enjoy the alcohol laced profiterole which was light and fluffy and creamy on the inside ...mmmm! These all really hit the spot. Just when we felt we could eat no more, a waiter came around with a cake trolley offering a slice of cake, well who were we to say no.... I enjoyed the exotic fruit sponge, foregoing the chocolate one and one final time they offered the blonde one a dairy free option.

Afternoon Tea is deceptively filling, best enjoyed on an empty stomach. We had two waiters during the afternoon and found the service to be attentive and friendly throughout.

We really enjoyed our afternoon at The Ritz. The Afternoon Tea was exceptional, it was leisurely, relaxing and The Palm Court was wonderfully opulent but not at all stuffy. The guests ranged from young to old, parties of women, couples and families, all appearing to enjoy this very traditional British pastime.

I have heard that some guests feel rushed at The Ritz ( bookings are allocated 90 minutes, which I feel is ample time) but this could be at busier and more popular times of the year and times in the afternoon. We certainly didn't feel rushed and the last setting of the day was a good choice as it served as dinner for us.

Before leaving we were given a book about Afternoon Tea and I couldn't resist having my photo taken with the pianist who had been playing live music throughout.

Crabtree & Evelyn Rose & White Chocolate Biscuits

Romance, flowers, chocolates - these beautifully presented All Butter Rose & White Chocolate biscuits from Crabtree & Evelyn have it all... An ideal gift to show your love this Valentine's Day.

The tin they come in is just so pretty and wonderfully illustrated. The biscuits themselves are crunchy enough to dip in your tea if you so feel inclined. In fact I brought out the Royal Albert China specially to indulge in a special afternoon tea as I knew the occasion demanded it. I felt incredibly decadent whilst daintily sipping on my tea and biting into these moreish buttery biscuits.

I am a huge, huge fan of anything rose so these rose and white chocolate biscuits grabbed my attention instantly and they didn't disappoint. These traditionally baked English biscuits are made with crystallised rose petals and pieces of white chocolate. The result is a delicate rose taste from the the perfumed flowers and the white chocolate is smooth and creamy to tantalize the taste buds with this truly romantic foodie gift.

Delicious limited edition biscuits that are the perfect addition to afternoon tea. Massive thumbs up from me.

Crabtree & Evelyn new limited edition Rose & White Chocolate biscuits cost £5 for 160G

*PR Sample

Tea India Cardamom Chai

It's no secret that I absolutely adore drinking Chai, I do like a good spiced tea. However, when I was pregnant I couldn't stand anything spiced and pretty much went off of tea completely for a while... so it was with great pleasure that I recently discovered Tea India Cardamom Chai lurking in the back of the cupboard. I had obviously bought it a while back on one of my many tea discovering shopping trips...

So out it came and I have been enjoying drinking it daily ever since!

Tea India Cardamom Chai in my opinion is best drunk with added milk and some sugar, for a delicious, warming and sweet Chai flavour. Although me being me, trying to avoid too much added sugar,  have ditched the sugar bit, it is still gorgeous but I just get the feeling that a more authentic taste is with the sugar ;)

I don't leave my tea bag in too long and this gives it a fab, not too strong taste. I think this is an ideal drink in these cold, icy winter months and a good alternative to that other winter fave Hot Chocolate.

I must admit to liking cardamom in general, so if this sounds like this is your thing... I implore you to give it a go!

Crabtree & Evelyn Christmas Collection - My Top Three

What I love whenever I pop into a Crabtree & Evelyn store is that there is a bit of everything - fragrance, skincare and food, it's all inside. The biscuits are delicious, there are scents for every taste and the skincare is just gorgeous and really works.

Peruse their website and there is simply loads of brilliant gifts to choose from this Christmas but here are my top three festive gifts...

Ultimate Feast of the Senses Hand Therapy Crackers £40

Love these crackers featuring the Iconic Hand Therapy collection of hand creams - this will delight guests at the dinner table, much nicer and more useful than usual crackers!

Contains duos of:

LaSource 10g/Old World Jasmine 10g
Gardeners 10g/Pomegranate 10g
Pink Pineapple 10g/Rosewater 10g
Gardeners 10g/Citron 10g
Rosewater 10g /Venetian Violet 10g
Pear & Pink Magnolia 10g/Citron 10g
Rosewater 10g/Festive Fig 10g
Pear & Pink Magnolia 10g/LaSource 10g
Pink Pineapple 10g/Festive Fig 10g
Spiced Earl Grey 10g/Pomegranate 10g
Gardeners 10g/Pear & Pink Magnolia 10g
Florentine Freesia 10g/ Festive Fig 10g

Noel Porcelain Diffuser 180ml £45 (currently £36)

Aromas of mulling spices, Fraser fir spruce, and zesty citrus fruits slowly infuse the air right through the festive season bringing the essence of Christmas into the home

Large Bauble with Handmade Cranberry & Clementine Fudge 150g £8

Temptingly tasty and festive fudge in a pretty bauble, a great 2 in 1 gift.

Dairy Free Drinks From Alpro

I was recently sent some Alpro dairy free products to try and I am excited to share my thoughts with you all...

As a household we have been buying Alpro Almond Milk (unsweetened) for quite a while now as my husband is dairy intolerant. I have liked that as an alternative to dairy in my cereal, it has a nice nutty taste. Last year I used it to make a Hot Chocolate and was hooked, I actually prefer it to using milk and now won't drink homemade hot chocolate any other way. Give it a try!

Alpro Oat Original - I have loved having this this week... first of all I just enjoyed it as a straight drink, it is wonderfully creamy and terribly delicious, a nice rich oaty flavour. A lovely smooth drink. As I ran out of milk I also tried it with my cereal and it was a taste sensation. I would seriously consider switching to this and going dairy free. I honestly had no idea dairy free could be so tasty.

Alpro Coconut Original - The straight tasting coconut milk drink is wonderfully refreshing. The small carton perfect for on the go. Also fantastic to add into a dairy free smoothie.

Alpro Coconut Chocolate - For a low calorie drink this is a real treat. It allows you to satisfy that chocolate craving (almost!) guilt free. If you love Bounty Chocolate Bars you will LOVE this, it is like drinking a liquid Bounty Bar, insanely good! Inspired.

*PR Samples

Easter With Hotel Chocolat - Caramel Chocolate Scrambled Easter Egg

Think gorgeous and tasty Easter Eggs and Easter chocolate treats and I automatically head to Hotel Chocolat. In the past I have enjoyed Hotel Chocolat's deluxe egg Rocky Road To Caramel and my young son has had the Egg on Toast amongst others...

This year Hotel Chocolat invited me to choose an egg to review and as I have a real love of caramel tasting chocolate I chose the delightfully sounding Caramel Chocolate Scrambled Easter Egg 

It features one generously sized caramel chocolate Easter Egg and a packet of 6 bite size scrambled pralines - smooth praline encased in deliciously sweet caramel chocolate.

Unfortunately for me I made the mistake of showing my seven year old the Easter Egg and he asked (very nicely!) if we could have an early Easter...  Who am I to deny my little boy ... well it turns out he adores caramel chocolate and he pretty much devoured the Easter Egg, Hotel Chocolat you have a real fan of yours right here, he LOVED it! Declaring it yummy indeed. As it was a good size egg and fairly rich we did manage to eek the egg out over 3 days which I reckon is great value. I did manage to have a sneaky piece or too - oh by the way I must mention that allow the egg is hollow it is fairly strong, it took a fair few attempts to crack it!!

I ensured the pralines were safely ensconced in my possession so that I could enjoy them in peace with a cup of tea for elevenses once he was safely deposited in school. These taste every bit as good as they look. Crispy sweet caramel chocolate on the outside with a deliciously smooth praline inside, these are sophisticated and grown up, oh how I enjoyed my tea break :)

Well we were both completely sold on the Caramel Chocolate Scrambled Easter Egg and I think it is fabulous value and worth every penny at just £15. 

However, I recommend that you should definitely make a visit to a Hotel Chocolat near you or visit their website as there is a huge selection of Easter Eggs & Kiddie treats, something for every budget and taste.

Happy Easter!

*PR Sample

The Langham Wedgewood Afternoon Tea - Review

Exactly five years ago my mum, sister and myself headed off to The Langham London for afternoon tea. We had a great time, the Palm Court where afternoon tea is served, although large was cosy and the service was friendly. The pianist even came around and asked us if we had any requests. All in all it was a fabulous experience and if you want to read more you can read the original review here .

Five years later I was invited back to The Langham to try their Wedgewood Afternoon Tea. Well what can I say, from the minute you step out of your car, taxi or just walk up to the hotel you are greeted with the warmest of welcomes. The Doorman was ultra friendly with a huge smile and it was no easy feat him being stood outside for so long, we visited on the coldest day of the year!

We were at the last sitting of the day 5.30pm and there was still a buzz in the air.

The Palm Court has been updated and refreshed but not too different from what it was before. Funnily enough we were shown to our seats which happened to be the very same corner that we had occupied the last time we visited.

To start we were treated to a Lemon Posset for the Amuse Bouche. The lemon posset was smooth, silky and creamy with a light tartness that was just the perfect way to start the afternoon tea.

We chose our teas, I went for the Wedgewood Original, however be prepared there is a wonderfully wide selection to choose from and the tea sommelier is happy to advise.  

Next we were brought our sandwiches - I loved that there was a mix of traditional sandwiches and delicate rolls to devour... and tasty they were.

The menu -

Smoked salmon, avocado and wasabi eclair
Peppered beef pastrami, red leicester coleslaw
Cucumber, cream cheese and chives
Marinated artichokes, Burford brown egg
Lightly curried prawn, tomato and watercress

We were offered seconds on the sandwiches but we declined knowing just how much more food was to follow!

The traditional scone course followed and we were not disappointed. They were warm, light and fluffy and just the right size to enjoy. Some of the nicest scones we have ever had and these were served with Devonshire clotted cream and Strawberry preserve.

Mmm, mmm.

And then the moment we had really been waiting for....

The sweet selection inspired by the Wedgewood Collection 

Wedgewood Tea Cup, white chocolate mousse, tropical jelly and dark chocolate sable
White Cameo on blue, strawberry and white balsamic Victoria sponge
Daisy Teapot, cinnamon shortbread cookie 
Hathaway Rose Motif, English rose and lychee log (my fave!)
Kouglof, 64% chocolate, raspberry and lightly roasted pistachio financier 

These delicate and pretty pastries were absolutely delicious, light and dare I say it moreish...even though I struggled to finish them. They looked exquisite much to our delight and were small and intricate (everything I love about the perfect afternoon tea) Just look at the detail that has gone into their creation... works of art!

We couldn't fault our afternoon tea in anyway, It was delicious with the right mix of flavours, tastes and texture. Service was impeccable and with a smile. We never once had to lift a finger, the staff were attentive and ensured that our teacups were always filled.

Live music was provided by a pianist which I adore and never stopped the entire time we were seated. In fact after a while he was joined by another instrumentalist which just added to the already fantastic atmosphere. A round of applause rang around the room after one particular piece. I *may* have started this!

We had a fabulous and stylish afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Five years later The Langham is still one of my all time favourite hotels (a visit to their bar The Artesian is also not to be missed) and the Palm Court serves up one of the best afternoon teas in London.

For more details and to book visit the website - Palm Court

*We were guests of the Palm Court
*Menu subject to change 

Top Five Foodie Gifts From Carluccio's This Christmas

Way back in July I had the pleasure of attending the Carluccio's Christmas Press Day where I got to try all the tasty treats that were to be the Christmas Gifts..today I share my top five foodie gifts.. whether for friends, family or yourself!

Clemente in Camicia £16.95 - Delicious candied Clementine pieces covered in dark chocolate.

Fichi Ricoperti £9.95 - Dark chocolate coated figs stuffed with walnut and candied orange peel. I couldn't get enough of these!

Stelle di Cioccolato £11.95 - Exquisite chocolate stars that will delight children and adults alike.

Prosecco e Gianduiotti £26.95 - A sumptuous boxed gift of Prosecco paired with smooth hazelnut chocolate.

Vin Santo e Cantucci £25 - Dessert is sorted with this pairing of a sweet dessert wine and honey and almond biscuits. A Tuscan classic.