Tea for Two (Twice)

What a fabulous day:-)  My husband and I (said in a very regal voice!) together with friend L. and her husband A. drove to Edinburgh to enjoy a very special Christmas present from our respective children.  Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Balmoral Hotel in Princes Street!!

We left the car at the free Park & Ride by the airport and took the tram in to the centre of Edinburgh, the first time any of us had been on it.  We were most impressed with the smoothness of the ride and the ease of getting to the centre and felt it was really good value at £3 each return.

We were a bit early for our tea, so passed some entertaining time in Harvey Nicks admiring all the designer fashion etc and I just loved the shoes by Christian Louboutin in my extra photo.  Can you imagine anybody being able to walk in them?!!

The afternoon tea was sublime and the best we've ever had anywhere.  The Palm Court is a beautiful room (see extra photos), the staff were so friendly and attentive, the harpsichord playing gently was delightful and the food was out of this world!  

The champagne was Bolinger and we started the meal with an "amuse bouche" of green pea soup in a tiny cup, quickly followed by a three-tier selection of the most wonderful savouries.  There was a selection of at least 10 different teas to choose from (or coffee if you preferred it) and you could have as many different ones as you wanted.  Then came the sweet selection, as shown in the main photo (minus two fruit scones which had already been eaten before I remembered to take a photo!)  As if this wasn't enough, the waiter then came round with a cake trolley and we were offered yet another delicious slice from a choice of four cakes. 

After all that tea drinking, a visit to the "facilities" was a must and the Ladies was a delight in itself (see extra photos).

A pleasant drive home once we'd cleared the rush-hour traffic completed a really memorable day and we'll certainly hope to return some day:-)