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Original poster

What do you think about this afternoon tea?

135 replies

SebastianTheCrab · 26/10/2020 07:06

Very much a first world problem but curious as to opinions.

If you booked a Halloween-themed afternoon tea (yes they exist; yes my DC was excited) and this was the advertised picture on their website vs the actual offering - would you feel a bit put out?

We had a good time, the food was fine (although they did initially bring us off milk for the teas) and it wasn't as expensive as some afternoon teas, especially themed ones.

But... it looks a bit rubbish compared to the pic doesn't it?

What do you think about this afternoon tea?
What do you think about this afternoon tea?
OP posts:
Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 26/10/2020 08:08

I don't really see the problem. The firstbpic is just cupcakes and biscuits, the second pic has more choice.

countdowntonap · 26/10/2020 08:10

The issue is that they used a stock image to promote their afternoon tea, rather than use an image of what they actually make and sell. I see it increasingly happen on social media, and it puts me off going to the place - why are they hiding what they actually sell?

OhTheRoses · 26/10/2020 08:10

Toddler enjoyed it; it was reasonably priced for London. I'd have had greater issue with the sour milk tbh. Move on.

ApolloandDaphne · 26/10/2020 08:10

I think what you got looks better as it is more varied. The first one is just iced biscuits and cupcakes. If you got the usual sandwiches and scones too then it all seems fine to me.

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 26/10/2020 08:11

Ok, it was probably a bit naughty to use that image. But given that these people charge 25 notes for four biscuits, I still think you did ok there.
www.biscuiteers.com/biscuits/boo-letterbox-biscuits?gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmKFttlE1VUHkTZf2jxkgl-jx7AATI72cALXtMaKPAQU9bOv--_IjScaAgq_EALw_wcB

Original poster
SebastianTheCrab · 26/10/2020 08:12

@HowFastIsTooFast

Yikes, that's almost one for one of those 'nailed it' Facebook page where people have copied something lovely without success Confused

I wouldn't be at all happy at the actual offering OP!

Exactly! I feel like at least they could have got some moulded Halloween-themed chocolates to stick on top of the cakes rather than the rubbish spider web icing and "R I P" which doesn't look like anything.

As others have said, it was actually "cheap" for an afternoon tea in London. For the really good ones now it's almost £70 per person (without champagne) Shock

OP posts:
PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 26/10/2020 08:13

And, actually, it's also a bit disingenuous for you to post that first side-by-side pic and call it 'afternoon tea' rather than 'one aspect of our afternoon tea'.

Original poster
SebastianTheCrab · 26/10/2020 08:14

@OhTheRoses

Toddler enjoyed it; it was reasonably priced for London. I'd have had greater issue with the sour milk tbh. Move on.

Shan't.

I shall dwell on this for the rest of my life (or at least the rest of the day). A pox on all their hotels! shakes fist

OP posts:
Lampan · 26/10/2020 08:15

I would prefer the second one. More variety. Especially if you say it was served like a proper afternoon tea and not in the picture

MarthasGinYard · 26/10/2020 08:15

'And, actually, it's also a bit disingenuous for you to post that first side-by-side pic and call it 'afternoon tea' rather than 'one aspect of our afternoon tea'.'

So do I

I also think it was really cheap for London.

Are you wanting to complain?

Ickabog · 26/10/2020 08:15

@countdowntonap

The issue is that they used a stock image to promote their afternoon tea, rather than use an image of what they actually make and sell. I see it increasingly happen on social media, and it puts me off going to the place - why are they hiding what they actually sell?
Exactly. I don't understand all the postser saying the one the OP got was more varied, or so long as the toddler was happy. It wasn't what the OP was expecting as the company have used misleading images.
MuttsNutts · 26/10/2020 08:16

Sour milk, incompetent service, cakes that didn’t live up to expectations…

Now you know why it was cheap (for central London).

Original poster
SebastianTheCrab · 26/10/2020 08:16

@PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe

And, actually, it's also a bit disingenuous for you to post that first side-by-side pic and call it 'afternoon tea' rather than 'one aspect of our afternoon tea'.

Eh? How is it disingenuous? Their stock image also didn't have pics of scones and sandwiches. Scones and sandwiches just look like scones and sandwiches - the Halloween bit was meant to be the dessert plate on top.

OP posts:
SonjaMorgan · 26/10/2020 08:20

Afternoon tea is always about the location and way it is laid out to me. I would be disappointed with that and would expect them to put more effort into the presentation. It looks like you bought a few bits from the supermarket and threw them on a plate.

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 26/10/2020 08:21

Eh? Because you represented that solitary plate as being 'afternoon tea'. It isn't. It's part of it.

SonjaMorgan · 26/10/2020 08:24

@SonjaMorgan

Afternoon tea is always about the location and way it is laid out to me. I would be disappointed with that and would expect them to put more effort into the presentation. It looks like you bought a few bits from the supermarket and threw them on a plate.
Ah crap I didn't read the update. Well I think it is fine then and don't really understand the problem.
Original poster
SebastianTheCrab · 26/10/2020 08:25

@PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe

Eh? Because you represented that solitary plate as being 'afternoon tea'. It isn't. It's part of it.

I just find this such a strange quibble. Their stock photo doesn't show scones or sandwiches either and in my OP I asked about comparisons between the stock image and the one I took i.e. the Halloween part of the tea. The scones and sandwiches are implied (and irrelevant).

OP posts:
thelonggame · 26/10/2020 08:25

when my kids were little they would have much preferred the second one, the first just looks like the biscuits and cupcakes that Sainsburys sell every year.
And for that price for central London sounds like really good value

Trainchoose · 26/10/2020 08:26

Yes absolutely they look worlds apart! That said, my toddler wouldn't have been arsed and would have been pleased with it regardless, so I'd probably let it go and just make a note not to go again.

10questions · 26/10/2020 08:26

I think it looks ok. The average child would be happy with it.

1400spincycle · 26/10/2020 08:27

They've just added some very poor attempts at decoration to some ready made tarts/brownies... not impressed!

Original poster
SebastianTheCrab · 26/10/2020 08:28

@Trainchoose

Yes absolutely they look worlds apart! That said, my toddler wouldn't have been arsed and would have been pleased with it regardless, so I'd probably let it go and just make a note not to go again.

That's pretty much my perspective too but I was curious to see what the MN jury thought.

OP posts:
cansu · 26/10/2020 08:28

am confused. Did you also get sandwiches etc for your 20.00. If you only got what was on your pic then it was poor.

Zenithbear · 26/10/2020 08:31

Afternoon tea fail I'm afraid.
Looks like they advertised expertly made and decorated treats but in reality it was very poor.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 26/10/2020 08:32

It certainly does!

I would have had something to say about it (though like you Wouldn't spoil a child's treat, if the child was happy).

I'd stick it on FB though!

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