To be shocked at the price for an Afternoon Tea?

[Writerwannabe83]

It is my friend's birthday on Saturday and a group of us (about 15) casually agreed a while ago that we'd go out for Afternoon Tea at a local restaurant. I had never been to one before, wasn't too sure what it was all about so I just agreed to it.

Today I received the Menu of this Afternoon Tea we are having and for some finger sandwiches, a cake and a cup of tea it's £20 per person

Maybe I live in a little bubble but that sounds crazy? This restaurant is going to get £300 out of us for supplying some sandwiches and some cakes?

The menu comes across as very pretentious and is written in such a way that by the designer throwing in some posh words and an over exaggerated description of a bit of lettuce it makes people happily hand over £20 for such 'luxury'....

The tea is "loose leaf" apparently - what does that even mean? Am I going to get a cup of tea with foliage floating on the top it?

I can have a ham and mustard sandwich, a cake and a cup of tea at home for a lot less than £20

But anyway - I just needed to vent.

I'm obviously still going to go as it's a good friend's birthday but I think it will be the last time I commit to an Afternoon Tea

It's my own fault really for agreeing to it without actually fully knowing what it was

Maybe I'm just not posh enough for such things

Can people tell me about any Afternoon Teas they have experienced and how U I'm being because actually I'm in for a treat that is well worthy of £20

This was the most amazing afternoon tea I've ever eaten. It took about 24 hours before I could eat again, but besides the quantity, it was all just stunning to look at.

www.the-berkeley.co.uk/knightsbridge-restaurants-bars/fashion-afternoon-tea/

I just read this whole post & now I'm lying in bed starving wanting finger sandwiches & cake.
If anyone wants to bring me these & a nice pot of tea I'll easy pay £20

Hey Writer, I remember you from an antenatal thread! We must have a LO of the same age (2 1/2?).

I recently went for a £39 afternoon tea, so your £20 seems a positive bargain. However - I don't begrudge the price at all. There was so much I couldn't actually eat all of it wistfully wishing I could have asked for a doggy bag, it was absolutely delicious, fresh pots of the loose leaf tea of my desire were brought continually, and they threw a few bottles of prosecco in as well (we were a group of about 10). Add to that a glorious location and impeccable service - it felt like money well spent!

Hope you'll enjoy your day too

This was ours at a local hotel which was £18.50 each (there were 4 of us).

I've also had afternoon tea at The Ritz for £45 a head which was nowhere near as nice!

I've had two afternoon teas before - one was a cheapy thing at the local garden centre with my nana to celebrate Mothers Day, and was a bit of a let down really. But the best one I had cost £22.50 per head (w/ no champagne) at a super posh hotel. Honestly it is worth every penny - the food was just delicious, plentiful and the teas were delicious too. I was stuffed afterwards! and like others have said, it is more about the experience than the actual process (though it was flipping tasty!)

sansa - he's 2yrs and 4m

I'm looking forward to to taking photos and putting them on here to see how it compares.....

I've got afternoon tea booked tomorrow as a birthday / anniversary treat - can't wait!

I love an afternoon tea, so does my 7 year old son. Sometimes we go just us two!

£20 seems a bargain to me.

Boozy brunches seem to be getting popular now!

So, where is amazing to go in central London? I'm planning on booking one for a special occasion. No booze - else I'll be asleep 20 minutes later!

£20 is a bargain and you've made me hungry so you are being doubly unreasonable

I had afternoon tea at The Shard a few weeks ago. £110 for two - totally worth it.

I really want an afternoon tea now

P.S The Shard afternoon tea was the Roald Dahl one.

Here's the menu...

SAMPLE ROALD DAHL 100 AFTERNOON TEA
A selection of savouries
BFG breakfast sandwich
Pelly's favourite smoked salmon sandwich
Mr Twit's bird pie
Freshly baked scones
Golden raisin with home-made jam worms & Jersey clotted cream
A selection of home-made cakes & sweet treats
Roly-Poly Bird choux bun
Notsobig Crocodile white chocolate egg
The Giant Peach meringue
The Witches chocolate mice
Grubber Sweetshop Giant Wangdoodles
Your choice of tea from The Wee Tea Company:
Roobois and Mint Chocolate
Rhubarb Fruit Infusion
Strawberries and Cream
Or any of their traditional teas from The Rare Tea Company
£45 per person
£58 per person with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne
£60 per person with Veuve Clicquot RICH poured over ice, served with either slices of refreshing cucumber of Earl Grey Tea
£62 per person with Veuve Clicquot RICH Rose poured over ice, garnished with your choice of refreshing lime zest or spicy slices of ginger
A discretionary 12.5% service charge will be added to your bill

yummy user!!!

I have never been left hungry after an afternoon tea, and I eat like a horse.

It is expensive but I think it's worth it for a special occasion. I had afternoon tea at the Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh for a special birthday and it was amazing and well worth the money -my husband paid for it-

user that's stunning! And totally proves the point about how labour-intensive the food is. That swan!!

If you are going to C.A then you should have a great time. We paid for some friends to go there as a wedding present, they loved it and have booked to go again for their wedding anniversary. The grounds are also stunning.

The Shard afternoon tea looks fantastic!

And clearly very popular as it seems to be booked up until the end of November! Afternoon tea is a booming business.

Coming on to recommend the Alicein Wonderland tea at theSanderson. Fantastic, with unlimited everything, basket swing seats to loll in while digesting, and a doggy bag to take home.

Oops, link

The Sanderson is the only other afternoon tea I've had. Is it still in the marquee? That was something I wasn't keen on as the weather was dreadful.

The Shard food was that nice we didn't want to eat it. The swan was exquisite. I've attached the pics I took too - the menu was edible also.