Let me tell you about Lady Betty Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea, once a quintessential English tradition amongst the aristocracy now a quick way for a whole host of hotels and restaurants to fill their otherwise quite times.
With so much choice where do you go for Afternoon tea if what you’re looking for are the traditions of yesteryear?
An Afternoon Tea served in an iconic building in an affluent area of North Yorkshire, Afternoon Tea that oozes quality and great service the minute you walk through the door?
Let me tell you about Lady Betty!
Once the flirty cover girl of her own range of peppermint creams, today she’s a more mature flapper-era society girl and host of the Lady Betty afternoon tea, at least that’s what I’m lead to believe.
The very thought of Afternoon Tea at Bettys in Harrogate filled my wife with excitement for weeks, added to this is the news that they do a ‘kids version’ too and mummy and daughter have their coats on waiting at the door ready for daddy to take them.
It’s fitting that the day we head to Harrogate there isn’t a cloud in the sky, the first flowers of spring are in full bloom and the usual buzz of one of my favorite Yorkshire towns is in the air.
It takes a reservation to get yourself up the stairs to the Lady Betty afternoon tea in this rather splendid building, there you’ll be greeted by impressively dressed waiting staff ready to take your coat and guide you to your table, I follow mouth slightly ajar taking in the amazing décor and sound of the pianist playing classic notes, this is perfection.
It’s not imperative that you opt for the Champagne to begin this experience but let’s be honest you’ve come this far, it would be a shame not to be totally indulgent, for me it’s the Rhubarb Kia Royale Cocktail that adorns my lips whilst my wife opts for the Rose Champagne, little Pudd is strictly on the milk!
A pea, cucumber and tomato cocktail appetizer sets us up perfectly for the Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese and dill roulade together with a miniature pork and apple pie.
Of course these supporting artists are all great but what we’re really here to see is the main event and what a show there is in store for us.
3 varieties of sandwiches, Ham, Coronation Chicken & Egg Mayo fill layer 1, sultana scones and Yorkshire lavender scones take layer 2 and the top plate is filled with a selection miniature cakes, everything from Battenberg to Coffee Religieuse.
For little Pudd and the children’s afternoon tea it’s Ham, Chicken, Cheese and Egg Mayonnaise sandwich’s, a fruit scone, and again miniature cakes.
Of course all the scones are accompanied by the traditional clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Unbelievably this is my first visit to Bettys and I guarantee you it won’t be the last, I’ve had a number of Afternoon Tea’s (my wife loves them) but this is by far the best, it’s not just the quality of the food that makes it special but the entire experience, the service, the standards the ambiance, everything. Ooh and did I mention the cups of tea are fabulous too?
And what made it even more special? Been able to take my 2 girls together, daddy got lots of brownie points that day!!
Bettys Harrogate | 1 Parliament Street | Harrogate | HG1 2QU | Tel. 01423 814070
