Welcome to the first (ish) post of my new (ish) blog. (some of you will have noticed historic posts are deleted and I'm starting fresh). Afternoon Tea is one of my favourite lovely things to do! As this blog is all about sharing lovely things with you I couldn't think of anything more apt than telling you about the afternoon tea I had yesterday at The Athenaeum in Mayfair.
A favourite place of mine (Mr Stanley proposed to me here), we decided that as we had some time off work together we would treat ourselves. I'm a regular diner at the hotel but have been to tea once before, 2 years ago. Yesterday wasn't as nice as my first visit, but still very very lovely! Delicious finger sandwiches followed by orange infused scones, crumpets and a selection of mouthwatering cakes and sweets from the dessert trolley meant that I seriously struggled through my two hour ballet class yesterday evening!
Now, I already said that it wasn't as nice as my first afternoon tea experience, and I had higher hopes considering they won "Top London Afternoon Tea 2012" by the Tea Guild. I can't criticise the quality of the ingredients, the ambiance and decor of the hotel itself, but on my last few trips to The Athenaeum I have noticed a decline in the standards of service, particularly on arrival. My biggest disappointment of yesterday was being told by the Maitre d' to wait in the lobby and left me with my soggy coat and dripping umbrella for 20 minutes; not something you would expect at a 5 star establishment. Luckily the waiting staff themselves were very attentive. Another thing I noticed was the bent tea stand - minor, I know, but as someone who appreciates and admires lovely things I have an eye for detail and details like this really stand out to me.
Starting at £28.50 each it isn't the cheapest, but is definitely far more reasonable than a lot of other places in London. It's award winning after all, and if you do want to treat yourself to afternoon tea while you're visiting, go The Athenaeum!
As delightful as it was, it didn't beat the wonderful afternoon tea that Mr Stanley made me on Valentines Day this year. Isn't he lovely?
