If I had to list one of my favourite luxuries in life (apart from plush hotels, 5 Star holidays, spa days), it would be afternoon tea. Dainty nibbles, delicate cups of tea and a decadent atmosphere. What better way to while away a few hours?
Well, it seems that The Celtic Manor Resort read my mind! They invited me to try their latest Mulberry Afternoon tea recently. Set in the sumptuous surroundings of The Mulberry Bar, it was a treat for eyes as well as the taste buds.
With stylish décor, low lighting and a lavish vibe, it’s perfect if you’re looking for somewhere glamourous. Think crushed velvet, gold details, sleek glass and rich purple hues. Oh and don’t forget the splash of zebra print!
But enough interior, let’s talk about the food. As with most afternoon tea experiences, there are both savoury and sweet options. Personally, I prefer savoury so I was looking forward to this part!
To begin, we had a verrine of cauliflower cheese which was the perfect way to start our tasting journey. It was delicious! And just enough to get us in the mood for the sandwiches and pastries.
And there was certainly a great selection! From leek and pork wellington and parmesan shortbread to beetroot macaroons with smoked salmon, there was something for everyone. I don’t eat meat so I can’t comment on the meat options but the non-meat nibbles were very tasty!
The drinks are definitely worth a mention too – both the hot drinks and the cocktails. I must say that I was impressed by the range of speciality teas – I chose the spiced orange while Luis had the peppermint. Perfect!
As for the cocktails, there were two available. Namely, the Jaffa Cake (a zingy concoction of orange gin, marmalade vodka and Cointreau) and the Tea Collins (a lovely combination of raspberry liquorice and lavender tea, sloe gin and sugar syrup).
As you might know, I don’t drink but the tipples looked really tempting! However, Luis was more than happy to sample both, on my behalf. I’m pretty sure he enjoyed!
Next, the sweet treats. Elderflower and champagne delices and candied hazelnut choux puffs were just a few fancies from the menu. I particularly liked the green tea, apple and ginger tartlet. It made a nice change from the typical cakes you find on a standard afternoon tea! Plus, I’m a green tea fiend so it was always going to be a winner with me.
To finish, freshly baked scones were served with clotted cream and jam. We could just about manage them after the previous delights. Is there anything better than a warm scone and a cup of tea? I think not.
I can safely say that the Mulberry Afternoon Tea was a truly unique experience. It was complete luxury from the opulent hues of gold to the bespoke finishings, show-stopping cocktails and delectable goodies. If you’re looking for somewhere stylish, special and different, you won’t go far wrong with The Mulberry Bar’s latest offering. A huge thank you to the wonderful Celtic Manor Resort for their hospitality.
