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Original poster

Afternoon Tea.... Its

46 replies

MojacaSunset · 22/04/2023 20:31

What would you expect to be served for Afternoon Tea in a lovely tea room with vintage china?
I went to a celebration afternoon tea today and it wasn't what I expected, but I'm not sure if my expectations were unrealistic.

OP posts:
soundsystem · 22/04/2023 20:33

Finger sandwiches, scones, some dainty little cakes, tea (obviously!) and maybe a glass of fizz?

sittingonacornflake · 22/04/2023 20:33

I mostly now expect to be served up a feast of disappointment. The only decent ones I've ever had have all been at fowey hall hotel. Everywhere else crap even ££££ ones

Babyroobs · 22/04/2023 20:33

A few weeks ago we had little pots of soup, a selection of sandwiches, a mini quiche, scones, jam and cream and about four other little cakes.

Bubbleses · 22/04/2023 20:34

for a basic traditional classic tea, I’d expect a couple of scones with jam and cream, a selection of finger sandwiches with classic fillings and a selection of small cakes (served on a cake stand). Then a choice of teas served in a teapot…
what did you get?!

tailinthejam · 22/04/2023 20:35

Well - tea obviously, maybe a choice of teas, or coffee for those who prefer it. A variety of small cakes, scones with cream and jam and maybe a few finger sandwiches, all served on one of those cake stands with doilies.

What did you get?

Skankhunt84 · 22/04/2023 20:35

Pathetic tiny crust less sandwiches. A scone. A couple of mini cakes. Sugary crap.

I dislike afternoon tea, waste of calories. I'd rather have an actual hearty meal.

Afonavon · 22/04/2023 20:36

Tea to drink

4 finger sandwiches each
A scone with jam and clotted cream
3 or 4 dainty cakes

ExtremelyDetermined · 22/04/2023 20:37

Tea or coffee
Sandwiches
Scone, cream and jam
Small cakes
Hopefully some other savoury items such as warm quiche, cheese straws or similar.

MissyB1 · 22/04/2023 20:38

As most of the above have said.

finger sandwiches
scones
small cakes or slices of cake
tea
a glass of fizz - hopefully!

orangeflags · 22/04/2023 20:39

Sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, Iceland defrosted cakes

Hidingawaytoday · 22/04/2023 20:42

Bubbleses · 22/04/2023 20:34

for a basic traditional classic tea, I’d expect a couple of scones with jam and cream, a selection of finger sandwiches with classic fillings and a selection of small cakes (served on a cake stand). Then a choice of teas served in a teapot…
what did you get?!

This sums it up pretty nicely for the setting you describe. I've been to less traditional afternoon teas where they've served different things, though and they've always advertised it as such.

RicherThanYews · 22/04/2023 20:42

I do not expect to see room temperature cheap sausage rolls and value crisps. It is supposed to be afternoon tea not a 4 year old birthday party.

Original poster
MojacaSunset · 22/04/2023 20:47

Afternoon tea isn't really my thing but I went along to celebrate with the host.
I was expecting crustless finger sandwiches, possibly some little savoury quiche / tartlets, scones with jam and cream, and a selection of little cakes.

We were served filled rolls, a large scone with jam and cream, a shortbread biscuit and an enormous slice of sponge cake.
I was disappointed that there was nothing dainty and very little variety. The huge scone and cake seemed at odds with the delicate fine china!

OP posts:
tailinthejam · 22/04/2023 20:53

Ah now then. Was the enormous slice of sponge cake a Victoria Sandwich, by any chance?

Original poster
MojacaSunset · 22/04/2023 21:23

@tailinthejam
I was.... and I make better😁

OP posts:
ExtremelyDetermined · 22/04/2023 21:26

I'd be happy with that so long as it was all fresh and homemade. I'd only eat one cake after eating a scone, too sweet otherwise.

Original poster
MojacaSunset · 22/04/2023 21:33

Most people ate the rolls and either the scone or the cake, both were huge.

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 22/04/2023 21:34

Bubbleses · 22/04/2023 20:34

for a basic traditional classic tea, I’d expect a couple of scones with jam and cream, a selection of finger sandwiches with classic fillings and a selection of small cakes (served on a cake stand). Then a choice of teas served in a teapot…
what did you get?!

I would expect this ^ .
I wouldn’t expect fizz.

StormzyinaTCup · 22/04/2023 21:36

Any afternoon tea that I have been to has only ever been dainty items. However, if a large slice of Victoria sponge was to appear I wouldn't be sending it back😋

drpet49 · 22/04/2023 21:38

MojacaSunset · 22/04/2023 20:47

Afternoon tea isn't really my thing but I went along to celebrate with the host.
I was expecting crustless finger sandwiches, possibly some little savoury quiche / tartlets, scones with jam and cream, and a selection of little cakes.

We were served filled rolls, a large scone with jam and cream, a shortbread biscuit and an enormous slice of sponge cake.
I was disappointed that there was nothing dainty and very little variety. The huge scone and cake seemed at odds with the delicate fine china!

Yeah that sounds poor. I’d be disappointed too

IHeartGeneHunt · 22/04/2023 21:40

There's a cafe near me that does lovely afternoon tea, it's not tiny-dainty bits though, it's big slices of cake that you choose, Pork pie, big scones with jam etc, three kinds of sandwich (they're crustless and in fingers) and chutney. I wouldn't want a dainty little thing though for the price they charge.

pizzaHeart · 22/04/2023 21:40

MojacaSunset · 22/04/2023 20:47

Afternoon tea isn't really my thing but I went along to celebrate with the host.
I was expecting crustless finger sandwiches, possibly some little savoury quiche / tartlets, scones with jam and cream, and a selection of little cakes.

We were served filled rolls, a large scone with jam and cream, a shortbread biscuit and an enormous slice of sponge cake.
I was disappointed that there was nothing dainty and very little variety. The huge scone and cake seemed at odds with the delicate fine china!

It could be rolls but miniature ones. I wouldn’t expect big scones. I also thought that the variety and mini size were both main features of afternoon tea. I could except shortbread biscuit but again homemade, small and pretty not a shortbread finger from supermarket’s pack.
How much as it per person?

Mustardandchickensandwiches · 22/04/2023 21:41

Afternoon tea should be delicate. That sounds like builders afternoon tea.

Ellmau · 22/04/2023 21:43

To be fair that sounds very nice, even if not especially dainty.

Lovelynames123 · 22/04/2023 21:44

I sell afternoon tea in my coffeeshop, it consists of finger sandwiches, a small slice of Quiche, a small sausage roll, small cheese and fruit scones, 3 small cakes plus jam and cream plus tea. It's all freshly made by us on the day. It's very popular!