Taking afternoon tea is one of life’s great pleasures. We’ve been enjoying afternoon tea in England since the 1840s when the then Duchess of Bedford introduced the tradition as she requested a private tray with tea, bread, butter, and cake brought to her room in the late afternoon, as she couldn’t wait until the fashionably late dinner time of 8pm.
This tradition is still enjoyed today with many restaurants, hotels and tea rooms offering the tastiest savoury and sweets treats for us to drool over. There is really something special about taking a few hours out of our busy lives to natter with friends or family over scones and sandwiches, it couldn’t be anymore British.
So, when we were asked to try the new afternoon tea offer at Harrods Champagne Bar & Café located within H beauty at centre:mk – how could we say no.
H beauty was launched by the department store Harrods in 2020 and offers the full beauty experience; from luxury fragrance to high-end skincare, you can discover new brands or shop favourites all in the same luxurious store. But tucked away in a quiet corner, you’ll find the Harrods Champagne Bar & Café and it’s everything you’d expect. A beautiful area with cream polished bar stools allowing you sip Champagne and sample their oyster menu, alongside a more comfortable seating area with neutral coloured sofas and low tables for you enjoy a relaxing break from your extensive shopping trip.
They’ve just launched an all-day food offering which features a menu including breakfast, brunch and all-day grazing options. But we were there to try out their afternoon tea, and we were not disappointed.
First up, we want to give a shout out to the staff, they were at a level above, as you’d expect from a Harrods establishment; welcoming, knowledgeable and attentive, perfect for making you feel special.
In their own words, they want afternoon tea to be an ‘elegant tasting experience’ and it certainly was. The sweet elements served in a stylish birdcage and the sandwiches on a golden platter, of course. The presentation is exquisite.
The savoury elements include delicate smoked salmon and crème fraîche cones and a golden mushroom and spinach sausage roll served with harissa ketchup. Plus, a selection of sandwiches, with no crusts – an absolute must for an afternoon tea. Everything was so delicious, it was obvious a lot of thought had gone into the flavour combinations to really make a taste sensation.
Moving over to the sweet elements; two warm scones each served with clotted cream and strawberry Champagne jam, again a must have in any afternoon tea, and perfectly baked. The cherry and apple doughnut délice was our favourite, but the rhubarb and white chocolate fondant and a mini slice of red velvet cake both pushed hard to clinch that top spot.
You had a choice of hot drinks including barista made coffees and speciality teas, or you can upgrade and enjoy a glass of Champagne or a cocktail.
What surprised us the most was price, just £30 per person (or £40pp for the alcohol option) which considering the location and the quality of the food on offer was quite a shock. Extremely good value all round.
So, if you’re looking for a relaxing place to take a load off after a busy morning of retail therapy at centre:mk – this treat gives you the unmistakable Harrods experience right in the heart of Milton Keynes.
H beauty information – https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/c/h-beauty/milton-keynes
centre:mk information: https://www.centremk.com/
Check out more photos below…
