Brasserie Max at the Covent Garden Hotel - 27th July 2013
This visit was booked in advance as part of a weekend trip to London. It was booked online and they confirmed by telephone 24 hours beforehand. We were given 2 hours for the afternoon tea but we arrived early and the length of time is more than enough.There three afternoon tea menu options, Traditional, Covent Garden and the Gentleman's Tea. There was only the two of and the staff were quick to say that we did not have to have the same we could mix and match. All of them are priced the same at £26 and on this occasion we opted for one traditional and one Covent Garden.
The service as you would expect at a five star hotel was excellent. We were seated immediately despite being early, we were offered water on arrival and a selection of teas and coffees. Our waitress was very friendly and smiley and even though this is a top hotel, it is not in anyway stuffy.
The teapot was large and the tea was loose not in a bag. As the food arrived were advised that we could have unlimited sandwiches and scones we just needed to ask. This was a first and when we had finished the lovely waitress came and encouraged us to have more so we opted for extra sandwiches but not scones. We were each given the same selection again.
Traditional Afternoon Tea
Four finger sandwiches on brown and white including: egg, cucumber, beef, and salmon.Two scones, one plain and one fruit with strawberry, and raspberry jam and clotted cream. There were five mini cakes including: a fruit tartlet, mini eclair, walnut cake, lemon sponge finger, and a chocolate sponge triangle with gold leaf.
Covent Garden Afternoon Tea
Four sandwiches but not as fingers including a tomato, basil and mozzarella bruschetta, crab, dill and avocado triangle, egg and watercress finger, and coronation chicken wrap. The same scones as with the traditional tea. The mini desserts were a passionfruit and mango meringue, fruit tartlet, chocolate opera cake, strawberry, Pimms and mint jelly (served with tiny pieces of cucumber), and peach and elderflower cake.
There was only one little thing that let this down and made this a five cup rating as opposed to a six and that was the tiered stand that the food was served on. It was plastic and with all the other fine crockery and cutlery this was so very out of place. It is rather odd that such a high establishment uses them but I assume there is a reason behind it.
Overall this is a five star treat, the atmosphere of being there in Covent Garden with many others having afternoon tea, the exceptional service and the wonderful food, not forgetting the fact that you can have more and are encouraged to do so. I would highly recommend it and at £26 each one of the more expensive options but well worth it.
