High time for Afternoon Tea

Frida Clementz and Gemma Windham spent one Friday afternoon in luxury at the Hilton Brighton Metropole trying the latest Afternoon Teas…

Tell us about it
The Waterhouse Bar is named after the famous architect who designed the Metropole in 1890 and is perfect for afternoon tea by the sea. It’s a modern space with leather alcove seating and grey wood paneling and feels really luxurious, but in a relaxed sort of way. It’s the sort of place you might find ladies that lunch – we saw a few of those – or couples taking their time over food.

What did you eat?
We opted to try both the Seaside Delights and Traditional Afternoon Tea, much to the amusement of the two ladies on the next table (only seemed fair if we were reviewing it to try it all!).

It was all delicious but the highlights had to be the scones which were incredibly light and served with clotted cream, and the Brighton Rock Cheesecake which had a really refreshing minty taste. That was best eaten last actually; it was good for cleansing your palette.

Both options looked amazing though, the presentation was well thought out with the Traditional served on a cake stand with a salad garnish at the centre of the sandwiches and the Seaside Delights on a wooden block giving it a much more modern feel but still beautifully presented.

Sum it up for us
The food was lovely but it was the experience as a whole that would inspire us to go back. Not only did we get to sit, relax and eat A LOT of cake but the service was exceptional; we were looked after by Kika who couldn’t have been more attentive. She was happy to answer our questions and checked on us often enough that we didn’t feel we had to attract her attention to ask for anything but not so often that we felt rushed.

What was also great was that they cater for any dietary requirements and actually list a gluten free tea so you can order it as an option rather than a ‘special request’. It really was the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon and, to top it all off, Gemma and I went to gaze at the vintage jewellery in the Lanes, to burn off the calories, of course!

THE HILTON AFTERNOON TEA MENU
SEASIDE DELIGHTS
£17.95 per person
Include a glass of Prosecco for £6.00 per person. Include a glass of Champagne for £8.00 per person.

FINGER SANDWICHES
Selection of Finger Sandwiches on Brown and White Bread:
Oak Smoked Salmon with Soft Cheese, Sussex Ham and Free Range Egg and Mayonnaise

SAVOURY ITEMS
Hailsham Lamb Burger, Wild Mushroom and Sussex Scrumpy Quiche Cakes
Brighton Rock Cheesecake topped with Popcorn, Mini Jam doughnuts, Red Velvet Cake, Strawberry Tart and Almond Macaroons Scones
Warm Mini Plain Scones, served with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserve

TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA
£17.95 per person
Include a glass of Prosecco for £6.00 per person. Include a glass of Champagne for £8.00 per person

FINGER SANDWICHES
Selection of Finger Sandwiches on Brown and White Bread:
Poached Salmon and Crème Fraiche
Hummus and Grilled Peppers
Sussex Ham and Cheese
Free Range Egg and Rocket

CAKES
Selection of Traditional Cakes: Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Victoria Sponge, Lemon Delice and Almond Macaroons

SCONES
Warm Mini Plain Scones, served with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserve

Both afternoon teas are served with your choice of:
Tea from our Twinings finest selection or Coffee from the freshly made Costa range

Served between 14.00-17.00 seven days a week