A wonderful afternoon tea experience!!! This tearoom is located inside of St. Paul's Cathedral. This is definitely not a fancy low tea experience, so don't come here expecting anything like that. However, for an inexpensive afternoon snack, it totally fits the bill!
After touring St. Paul's Cathedral, I found myself a bit hungry. Nothing really looked appetizing at the cafe, and I wanted to save my appetite for dinner later on that night. I saw the tearoom from a distance, and looked at the menu. I had been wanting to embark on an English tea experience, and I was intrigued so I walked in.
First of all, the interior was so charming. All of the tables were properly set, and the decor was bright and bold. The color scheme and lighting were so attractive. It literally drew me inside. I was greeted by a sweet young lady from Bolivia who sat me at one of the booths. They've basically got two afternoon tea experiences to choose from; one with an added glass of champagne and one without. I decided just to stick with the tea.
Their afternoon tea spread includes: a tea of your choice, three finger sandwiches, a buttermilk scone w/ clotted butter and strawberry jam, and a mini Victoria Sponge Cake. They carry a variety of loose leaf teas as well. I opted for their chamomile loose leaf tea. Prior to this visit, I hadn't really had much experience with loose leaf teas. This Cali girl was raised on tea bags and tea bags only. But after tasting this loose leaf tea, I was just.... shocked. I love tea, but I FELL in love with this tea. It was so potent and fragrant. It was just... fresh. I don't really know how to describe it but, I instantly started googling this to see if there was a place that offers this at home.
Now I have a better understanding of this fad with English tea time. This tea was the bomb.com! Did I mention that it's unlimited? I went through two pots. It was so delicious. The snacks that came with it tasted equally amazing. The finger sandwiches were lovely. It came with a smoked salmon, egg mayo, and a roast gammon. My favorite was the smoked salmon! It was very flavorful. I kind of wished that it had been a full fledged sandwich because I would have torn it UP!
I've never really been a fan of scones. I guess because I've only really tried them at places like Starbucks (DON'T judge me! lol). And those scones are always so thick, dry, and doughy. Words cannot describe how moist and buttery that scone was! GEEZUS! This was a REAL scone. Nothing like what I've ever had before. And with the clotted cream and jam on top? My eyes must have rolled to the back of my head. I would have a scone like this every single day if I could. Every single day!
And last but not least; that Victoria Sponge Cake bite. And, I say bite because I was ready to eat an entire cake after having a taste. Where have YOU been all of my life? Another first for me. This cake would be a problem if I was living here. Several pounds would be gained. It just melted in my mouth. The fruit, the sugar, the layers... everything was just perfect. I don't think I've ever eaten a dessert so fast before. I loved it to pieces.
I can see why someone would be upset with the portion sizes. They are pretty small and they'll have you wanting more after you've finished. However, for £14, it's really a great deal. It's the perfect way to sample the London tea experience without getting too fancy and too expensive. I can't forget to mention that service. The young Bolivian lady who helped me was so sweet. She told me a story of how she escaped to London from the poverty in her country to start a new life. Her story was so powerful. I really wish her the best in her journey.
This was such a memorable experience. If you're looking for a relaxing afternoon tea snack, I'd highly recommend the Tearoom at St. Paul's. It's also a great alternative to the Cafe. read more