The Marriott Hotel, Broughton Preston

The Marriott Hotel, Broughton Preston, 20th April 2013

I decided to take my mum out for a treat yesterday and booked online yesterday morning for afternoon tea closer to where she lives.

Afternoon tea is our thing, sweet things are what my mum lives for, bearing in mind this is the person who had 17 sugars in her two cups of coffee!

This was for no other occasion than it was something to do.

Booked online and arrived with a few minutes to spare. The afternoon tea was to be held in the lounge bar, which is a general area accommodating hotel guests who are just having a drink. There is a really nice conservatory type area leading to the courtyard. When we arrived there were other ladies having afternoon tea and there was a lacking of tables and chairs there, yet plenty of space. The bar man was very helpful in bring a chair for us and would have moved the table around if I had not already done it whilst he was getting the chair.

The service was good with the tea and coffee being ordered promptly and it was not too long before the food was served. 

It was not on a traditional tier but never the less served on nice plates, with nice napkins and cutlery.

The selection of finger sandwiches included salmon (and plenty of it), cucumber (true traditional style) and cheese with lettuce and a hint of mango chutney. Both white and wholemeal bread used and very fresh. The only odd thing is there were three of each, not usual to get a number not divisible by the number of people eating. 

We have four mini cakes each, and these were not that mini :) plus a fruit scone each. The selection of cakes included a chocolate eclair  individual Victoria Sponge, Coffee cake and Chocolate brownie.

The cakes were very fresh and the scones were server with plenty of butter, cream and pots of preserve.

The tea and coffee were refilled without being asked which is always a nice touch. 

The two of us spent two hours there enjoying the food with a nice view of the courtyard and no pressure. The afternoon tea was just £10.95 each and was exceptional value for money.

The Marriott

Willows Restaurant at Barton Grange Garden Centre, Preston

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea

This trip out included not just me and hubby but also our mums. Booked a week in advance and at just £10.95 not bad value at all especially with it being Mother's Day.

The venue is very nice, you get to the restaurant through the garden centre and it is to the side of the river/brook. We were shown to a table in the corner overlooking the river so the position was great.

The staff there were very efficient and attentive as soon as we were seated. They made it very clear that tea and coffee was unlimited and to simply ask if we required more at any time. As it happens we didn't need to as they were quick off the mark at asking throughout the time there.

This was very leisurely and there was no rush which was appreciated. 

We had two tiered stands one for each couple. The sandwiches included, salmon and cream cheese, ham and Lancashire cheese. They were fresh and flavoursome.

The section of cakes included a mini fruit tartlet, Victoria sandwich, chocolate brownie, and a mini carrot cake. 

Not forgetting the fresh scone that was served with plenty of jam and cream.

The atmosphere being Mother's Day was very nice but I have no doubt that it is usually like that anyway.

On exit each of the mums (including me) where given a little pot plant which was a nice touch.

Very good value for money and would recommend at any time of the year.

Barton Grange 

Holden Vale Tea Rooms 14th April 2013

Holden Vale, Haslingden for Afternoon Tea

I am on a mission to try as many afternoon teas as possible mainly locally but also when out and about. Last Sunday myself and hubby decided at short notice to pop over to Holden Vale Tea Rooms, and try their afternoon tea.

It was during the tea that I decided to create blog to record my experiences and this is the first post although not the first afternoon tea that has been tried and tested.

We have eaten a number of times in the tea rooms and the food is excellent and they have a great deal of choice when it comes to cakes.

Locally, this is one of the most expensive Afternoon Teas at £11.95 per person and as such we were expecting a very good one.

We manged to get seated straightway, and a very nice young lad came over quite quickly, we knew what we wanted so the order was very easy, afternoon tea for two one with tea and one with coffee.

A few minutes later he returned to ask us what sandwiches we wanted and what cake. We thought this was quite odd as the menu did say a selection of sandwiches and normally a selection as decided by the venue is given. I asked what our options where and he was a bit puzzled by the question. I got the impression that he was quite new and had never been asked for afternoon tea before. I suggested that they provide a selection. 

We were then asked to choose a cake, in fairness when we read the detail of afternoon tea on the menu it did say a piece of cake, but again traditional teas include a selection of mini cakes. So we both went to the counter and as it happens chose the same cake, the coffee and walnut cake.

It was not long before the afternoon tea was served with a side order of salad, different! The presentation with afternoon tea is part of the event, so when it arrived on a metal/tin tray type thing, it was a bit of a let down. 

The sandwiches were simple fingers and nice, we got 3 fingers each including egg mayo, ham and chicken. No cucumber sandwiches though?

The cake that we chose was there with a couple of grapes and coulis, along with a very large scone. The fruit scone was served with jam and cream but I did think we had gone into ration mode as there was only just enough to cover each half of the scone.

In the end neither of us finished our cake as it was a tad dry and had quite an overpowering after taste, a small version alongside other small cakes would have been much better.

As far as my mission goes, this is my least favourite afternoon tea to date.

Holden Wood