Obviously I’m always on the look out for a new afternoon tea to try, and was delighted to see what looked like an exciting offering at Hotel du Vin in York. If you’re visiting York and spending the day in the city centre, this place is about a 10 minute walk from the train station, and is nestled just on the outskirts of all the main jaunts.
It’s priced at £22.50 each, and with that you’ll get a full pot of tea, of your choice. The food in the image is a serving for one person, so it’s a really good price for what you get. Savouries include smoked salmon and cream cheese on dark rye bread, an egg and cress mayonnaise brioche sub (gorgeous), a ham and Gruyere croissant, a tomato and tapenade galette, and goats cheese and spinach quiche. Then the best dessert tier includes lots of mini delights such as a tutti frutti macaron, black forest gateau, pistachio pin wheel, rhubarb and custard tarts, warm scones served with jam, clotted cream and butter.
Presentation wise, I couldn’t fault it, and the food was delicious and tasty too. I also really appreciated that they served a traditional afternoon tea, but with more of a twist from the norm – such as the additions of the pistachio pin wheel – this was a really nice touch – and the tutti frutti macaron. However, even with that, I wouldn’t say this was one of the more memorable afternoon teas I’ve had. Yes it was nice, but I found it was missing something… however that something I can’t quite put my finger on. That, and the fact that the service was absolutely shocking, we sat outside and just seemed to be completely forgotten about; my friend had to pop in twice to ask what was going on – first of all for someone to take our order, then, when our order had been taken – the tea was brought out, but had gone cold by the time the food came out, and that only came out once my friend had gone back inside to see where it was. Now to be fair to them, the staff couldn’t have been friendlier, and the mistakes didn’t go un noticed, and a lady who I assume was the manager came over to us (without prompt) to offer us a glass of prosecco each for the mistakes… but it was kind of too little too late, as the wait and having to constantly get up and go inside had already put a dampener on it.
All in all, it’s a pleasant afternoon tea, which, if you’ve never been before would make a nice afternoon tea. But would I return a second time… in all honesty, probably not, no.
Hotel Du Vin: 89 The Mount, York YO24 1AX
