The Byrneleigh Hotel, Nedlands, Western Australia

"A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon"

The high tea inspectors arrived promptly for the 12 noon to 2pm sitting of high tea at the Byrneleigh Hotel. Our session was well patronised- mainly women, however, I spotted two men!

Champagne was served on arrival a bit of a waste on our mainly tee-totaller group. There was an excellent selection of teas, with the pure green, earl grey and darjeeling being selected.

Platters of lovely scones were served with the teas and coffees along with raspberry chilli jam and cream. These were definitely the highlight, very tasty indeed.

After most of the scones were finished, two three tiered stands arrived laden with mini open sandwiches topped with a selection of beef, chicken, smoked salmon and camembert along with savoury tarts, carrot cake and chocolate brownies.

The food was plentiful and we all had more than enough. We had a most enjoyable few hours and thought it was excellent value as we had 2 for 1 vouchers. Booyah!

Sweet Country Abode, Midvale, Western Australia

Come and enjoy!

The High Tea Inspectors have tried many places offering high, morning and afternoon tea. As we only write positive reviews quite a few don't make our blog. However, High Tea at Sweet Country Abode in the industrial area of Midvale is quite outstanding.

A booking in advance is required with a minimum of two people.

On arriving I was hesitant as to what to expect but waiting for us inside was our beautifully laid table, gorgeous china, table cloth and cloth napkins, tasteful cutlery and flowers.

Extra large teapots were served, our choice was the lovely English Breakfast tea. Then the three tiers of mini sandwiches, warm savouries, petite slices, cakes and warm scones with plenty of jam and cream.

Not very often do we find that we cannot finish all that is offered but on this occasion we were all most content.

Sweet Country Abode is tucked out of the way for most people but is worth the trip and outstanding value for money. I recommend you give this place a try. Mum gave it 12 out of 10, I say very well done.

Captain’s Desert Camp, Wadi Rum, Jordan

Delights in the Desert!

The gentle pleasures of afternoon tea are universal of course, but sometimes found in unexpected places, as discovered on a recent brief sojourn in Jordan.

On a 4WD trip from through Wadi Rum - country made famous in the West by Lawrence of Arabia’s revolt and used to represent the surface of Mars in the film ‘Red Planet’ - was the last place I expected to be treated to some of the best biscuits I have ever tasted – but these were to be the icing on the cake of an exceptional journey.

Some 68km from the port city of Aqaba, Wadi Rum is the largest ‘wadi’ in Jordan and home to Bedouin tribes who welcome adventure tourists and daytrippers to take a tiny glimpse into their nomadic way of life and witness the remarkable canyons and petroglyphs of their desert home.

We arrived at the Captain’s Desert Camp, which is essentially an open tent, and were invited to enjoy local homemade (& homegrown) specialities – including tea with a mixture of local spices, locally grown dates and sesame biscuits.

Perhaps it was the desert air or the general atmospherics of this remarkable place – but these were the best biscuits I have ever tasted and kept going back for more.

They certainly capped off an amazing day of high adventure and hospitality.

The Ritz, London, England

Pure indulgence at the Ritz!

The High Tea inspector's most cherished wish was to experience afternoon tea at the Ritz London- and during the month of May this dream came true!

After reading Helen Simpson's book on High Tea at the Ritz I have been looking forward to this outing and I believe this could be the ultimate goal of all tea lovers.

High tea is offered at the Ritz London in the wonderful Palm Court. The Palm Court is quite magnificent- the decor is elegant and delivers a relaxed ambience in which to sit and soak in the splendour and listen to the pianist tapping out the many requests from the very well dressed tea lovers.

Immaculately presented waiters showed us to our lovers' seat table and offered the quite extensive choice of teas or coffee available. My husband's choice was the Chun Lee and mine was the Jasmine. We both enjoyed our selections, however, I tried the Chun Lee and was happy I went with the Jasmine. The three tiered cake stand came out with the second tier plate empty- this had me a little puzzled. On the bottom plate was afternoon tea sandwiches, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, cheddar on sundried tomato bread, ham, chicken and mayonnaise and cucumber. All were delightful, my favourite was the chicken and mayonnaise. Waiters with large platters of extra sandwiches went from table to table offering more sandwiches.

After the sandwiches the waiter removed the empty second plate and to my delight returned with warm freshly baked scones with home made strawberry jam and clotted cream. Oh my, they were very special indeed and I was quite determined to have my two scones whilst realising that there was still another tier to go. Around again went the waiters with extra warm scones for anyone who could possibly have room for more.

Tea pots were constantly refreshed and by this stage the high tea inspector was feeling like she was in paradise. Then for the third tier, afternoon tea pastries and fresh cream cakes. I must admit it was quite the struggle to do them justice, they were all beautifully presented and a taste sensation. My favourite being the fruit and custard basket, yum. Unable to finish our cake selection the waiter was more than happy to send a fresh plate to our room- now that is service!

To avoid disappointment you will need to book for your choice of either Traditional, Champagne or Celebration afternoon tea. I booked back in January and there was only two places available. Also there is a dress code requiring men to wear a jacket and tie also no jeans and trainers.

For a totally satisfying indulgence I recommend anyone who can, try the High Tea at the Ritz London. They do it so well.

The Sheraton on the Park – Sydney, Australia

High tea on the park

Sitting overlooking a green Hyde Park with autumn leaves falling, and the Archibald Fountain in the background, is a great setting for a High Tea. Sheraton on the Park in central Sydney has taken good advantage of their location to provide a delightful High Tea venue.

Saturday and Sunday are booked well in advance with a comprehensive and exciting smorgasbord of High Tea delights. Monday to Friday is more your traditional High Tea which we enjoyed on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. Service is efficient and friendly with no booking required for parties less than 5.

My partner decided on the hot chocolate as his choice of beverage, served piping hot in a chocolate bowl, mine was green tea, but the menu was extensive with all coffees and the various loose leaf tea selections. Champagne was an optional extra.

Our three layer stand was impressive with smoked salmon and prawn open sandwiches on a dark rye bread, dainty egg sandwiches, and rolled spinach and anchovy sandwiches on a light pita bread. The scones were both fruit and plain, lightly warmed and served with heaps of strawberry jam and King Island cream - yum! The top layer of our stand was filled with delicate and delicious treats such as mouth melting chocolate macaroons, mini chocolate eclairs, cheese cake slices and fruit/custard pastries.

At $40 each we thought it was a delightful treat which we both enjoyed.

My only complaint was the china - thick white cups, saucers and plates which didn't compliment the chef's creation of a fine High Tea.

The Pump Room, Bath, England

Bath tea-time

On a sunny spring day, Bath is a jewel – flowers blooming, people lazing about in the sunshine and of course, fine afternoon tea for the taking.

When previously in Bath the High Tea Inspectors visited the famous Sally Lunn’s, however on this occasion some dear friends and fellow tealovers booked afternoon tea at the charming Pump Room – the tea rooms at the Roman Baths.

Being attached to one of the most visited attractions in England, the grand, neoclassical room with peeks of the Roman Baths below and twinkling live piano music, is incredibly popular with tourists, but we picked a good day for our mid-week visit in April and it was relatively quiet.

While it is possible to sample some of the real ‘Bath water’ for 50p per glass, from the looks on most punters’ faces, I think we did somewhat better with our classic afternoon tea, which was a traditional three tiers of fresh finger sandwiches, scones and little cakes.

The spread is traditional, fresh and reasonably priced –but it really is the atmosphere of the historic restaurant that has been a part of socialising in Bath for the better part of 200 years – that makes afternoon tea at the Pump Rooms such a treat.

The Mandeville Hotel, Marylebone, London

“Tea-time with a twist”

London spoils the afternoon tea lover with so many options that it is hard to know where to start. On a short trip it is even more difficult – should we go traditional and search out the best scones and finger sandwiches at a posh old-school hotel? Or something more cutting edge?

At the Mandeville Hotel, amid the stylish shopping hub of Marylebone, we found all the traditions that we love about afternoon tea, with some delightful twists.

The Hotel itself is definitely in the luxe category, and I could quite happily set up home there. Alas we merely partook of the afternoon tea, served in the deVille Restaurant which is an elegant blend of cosy banquettes and plush fabrics set off by funky art and lots of flowers – the perfect tea-time setting.

Depending on your mood you can choose from a range of menus – both for food and tea. If you are feeling girly – the Fashion Ladies Afternoon Tea is served on fine pink china with a selection of scones, pink meringues and sandwiches.

Purporting to be a more masculine affair – the Men’s Afternoon Tea is no less dainty, but served – naturally – on blue china, with the option of fine whiskies as an accompaniment to the very tempting treats on offer from the kitchen. We chose this more interesting sounding menu – and it turned out to be an indulgent, modern take on the traditional afternoon tea.

Highlights on the savoury side included roasted sirloin with red onion thyme jam on a mini foccacia, beef and chicken satay with chilli créme-fraiche, and potted shrimps with gentlemen’s relish and toast.

The sweets were equally thoughtful and tasty creations, including – a double chocolate brownie, lemon-basil tart, chocolate-blueberry cheese cake, fig chocolate beignet, and freshly baked raisin scones with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Quibbles with gender specificity cast neatly to one side, the Men’s menu was certainly working a charm for most of the couples we spotted around the room, though a few pink meringues were also doing the rounds.

The selection of tea for both menus is first class, and can be served with champagne if you wish, but for me, a perfectly brewed White Peony with Whole Rosebuds blend was the ultimate counter to the rich spread.

My cup was also rarely half full thanks to the delightful, warm service of our waitress who returned with our individual pots for refreshers regularly and looked after us exceptionally well.

Starting at 26.50 GBP, afternoon tea at the Mandeville is good value for such a quality experience.

London has so many wonderful places for afternoon tea – but if you are looking for something a little different and a little special, the Mandeville is definitely worth a twirl.