Afternoon Tea at The Edgbaston, Birmingham

Last weekend I headed over to The Edgbaston in Brum for a blogger meet up with some old and new faces. Having looked online, I knew this place was going to be right up my street but it wasn’t until I walked in, past the unassuming, almost secret entrance, and soaked up the sheer ‘art deco-dence’ of it all (see what I did there) that I realised just how great this boutique hotel is.

One thing I’ve loved from the very start of my blogging career is the sense of community. There is no competition between food bloggers. Everyone supports one another and within the Midlands scene, I’ve made some fantastic friends. Sadly my partner in crime Emily from Recipes & Reviews couldn’t make it, nor could Ellen from Eat with Ellen but I was really pleased to catch up with 4 fantastic bloggers I already know – Sophie from Penne For Your Thoughts, Helen from Positive Fridays, Laura from Full To The Brum and Roz from the Foodie Couple. I also got to make a new friend too (yes Emma Victoria Stokes, I’ve been blog stalking you all week).

We kicked off with a palette cleanser – lemon curd with gin & tonic granita, served with dry ice for extra effect. Mesmerising to watch, even better to eat (the granita, not the dry ice!)..

Once we’d gobbled that down, we were presented with a selection of delicious sandwiches, with the crusts cut off of course, and the prettiest, most delicious cakes and treats I’ve ever seen. Cue the choux pastry swan filled with lemon cream, the tiny blackberry tart and the hazelnut and chocolate lollipops and just perfect macarons. Following this there were also scones, clotted cream and jam. I was too full so took mine home for later!

To drink, Laura and I shared a big vintage teapot full of Jasmine tea. The flavour was light and perfectly balanced, and believe it or not, went perfectly with the cakes. Of course if you prefer a good old english breakfast cuppa they’ve got that too. The waiter told us that all of the teapots, crockery and pretty much everything around us was vintage. Another showed me a gorgeous 1920’s martini trolley they have by the bar. The stuff of dreams!

This is by far the best afternoon tea I’ve ever had. It felt like a treat even though it was affordable. Not only is it a gorgeous, luxurious space, the service and quality of the tea and cake was second to none.  I’d love to come back with my mum and sister as I know they’d love it. With my birthday coming up next month, I’m also angling for a romantic night here  *hint hint* – lets hope Dave’s reading this.