Hotel De Rome, Berlin

English Afternoon Tea in Berlin Sunday 9th June

Last week our afternoon tea was a little bit special as it was in Berlin, Germany. I discovered the Hotel De Rome online and then found that they did a traditional English Afternoon Tea; it was too good to resist. I made the booking via email and had a lovely confirmation saying that we they had had reserved a nice table for us.

We arrived a little early on the day and arrived to see a number of Depeche Mode fans outside the hotel as the band were staying there. We had a drink in the Bebel Bar first and were then shown to the reserved table in the Velvet Room.  As for being a nice table it was very nice indeed in a beautiful room. There was just the two of us in the Velvet Room  and was exceptionally comfortable overlooking the fans and with an amazing piece of art - "As you enter the room, your eyes are drawn to the "Mensch im Holozän" (Holocene Man), a painting by Berlin artist Stefan Hoenerloh that depicts a fictitious street scene and helps foster the impression of being out of doors. The painter gives the facades of his buildings form with a meticulousness which conjures the atmosphere of a time now past into which the observer is permitted one frozen glimpse"

The service was as to be expected in a top hotel, first class. We were given a tea and coffee menu to choose from and there was a wide range of luxury teas available. On this occasion I chose the pfefferminztee - which came as fresh peppermint leaves, with refills, served in a silver teapot.

Silver Teapot

Fresh Peppermint Leaves

The food was served on a traditional 3 tier stand with sandwiches on the lower tier, scones and apple crumble of the middle tier and a selection of mini cakes and desserts on the top.

3 Tier Stand

There were eight finger sandwiches consisting of egg, cucumber and cream cheese, beef and salmon on white and brown bread. The bread was very fresh and the toppings were very flavoursome.

Excellent Fresh Sandwiches

There were two freshly made warm scones one plain and one with raisins. small raisin scone. There was plenty of clotted cream and served with five pots of preserves to choose from, Strawberry, Raspberry, Plum, Marmalade and Honey.

On the same tier were two individual apple crumbles.

Warm Scones with Cream and Apple Crumbles

Selection of Preserves

The top tier selection including a mini passion fruit mousse, cheesecake, mini cake, macaroon, sponge cake, and a dark and milk chocolate square.

Selection of Mini Cakes

Selection of Mini Cakes and Desserts 

All of the food was excellent and presentation was second to none. The silver service from the staff was first class and the Velvet room within the Bebel Bar was pure luxury. To have a traditional English Afternoon Tea in the German capital was quite something and the Germans certainly managed to do it in style and compared to the Radisson in Manchester, it was far superior.

I would highly recommend a visit to the Hotel De Rome for anyone in Berlin for afternoon tea, cost €40 per person and well worth it.

Hotel De Rome

Nutters Restaurant, Rochdale

Nutters, Saturday 1st June 2013

Another last minute booking for afternoon tea, we called the Friday evening and had no problem in booking in for 3:30pm the following day.

We arrived early as always and were seated in the modern bar area. The building is a 19th Century former hall and subsequent military hospital that has been renovated and is very impressive, both inside and out.

At exactly 3:30 we were shown to our table in an area that is similar to a conservatory with a great view.  The tables are all set with white linen and white matching crockery and then there was the paper based menu that seemed out of place, although it did have a nice, brief history of afternoon tea on the inside.

We opted for the usual traditional afternoon tea for two, one with tea and one with coffee. There are options for other teas and I understand that they will cater for vegetarians and other special diets on request.

Service was prompt and we were offered free refills when the drinks were served and we just needed to ask. As it happened, the two pots were very large and as such no refills were needed. The coffee pot was some sort of thermos cafetiere which was by far the largest that we have had and it did keep the coffee hot throughout - nice touch for coffee drinkers. The downside here was that the tea was in bags and not loose which was a little surprising for such an establishment.

The food was served on a three tier stand and there was plenty of it.

The sandwich selection consisted of smoked salmon and cucumber, chicken mustard mayo, goats cheese with red onion chutney (amazing) and salt beef with shallots (also amazing). The bread was very fresh and the fillings very tasty. 

The choice of mini cakes was very impressive as you can see. Two different slices of fruit bread each, a fruit tart, creme brûlée slice and a white chocolate eclair. All very fresh and exceptionally tasty.

We finished with the scones and at this point we were struggling, but we were in no rush and with plenty of tea and coffee to hand we carried on. (We did notice than some others were taking cakes home in a box). There are two mini scones each, one with traditional fruit and one was a chocolate chip one, both warm. I have to say that the fruit one was our favourite, the chocolate chip one wasn't quite there but we couldn't say why.

Overall the experience was excellent, just as afternoon tea should be and at £15 per person very good value for money. We were so full that there was no need for dinner later. Without a doubt I would recommend a visit here.

Nutters Restaurant