Afternoon tea with a twist at Bert’s Jazz bar

Berts has recently launched a savoury version of afternoon tea.  What a fabulous idea.  I totally love afternoon tea but don’t have a sweet tooth so a lot of it is wasted.  Put simply, I couldn’t wait to try this.

Berts’s is a jazz venue, ideally located in the cathedral quarter in Belfast’s City Centre.  I have been there before for their Jazz Sunday lunch but hadn’t tried their afternoon tea before.  Mr. Eating Ideas and I decided to have a date afternoon there and try it out.

They have ditched traditional cakes and scones in favour of a selection of seasonal savoury treats.  We were treated to tomato gazpacho (my favourite soup), Croque Madame muffins, beetroot and goats’ cheese macarons, Scotch quail egg and mini pork en croute.  I love a croque madame sandwich and this was a mini version but open with the egg in the centre instead of  on top of the sandwich.  I’m not a fan of a Scotch egg so gave this a swerve but Mr Eating Ideas was more than happy to have mine!  The mini pork en route was like a sausage roll but with lovely baked ham inside instead of a sausage.  The food came served with a choice of tea or Prosecco (in a total shocker- I chose tea!!!) and some open sandwiches- smoked chicken, ham & apple on ciabatta and reblochon cheese with red onion marmalade on sourdough bread.  The tea was beautifully presented and packed full of flavours.

While it was a savoury serving, we were delighted to be served a couple of yummy little petit-fours at the end.  Rich chocolate truffles and pistachio & olive oil bread straight form the oven provided a lovely sweet ending to this savoury tea.

Afternoon Tea at Berts Jazz Bar costs £25 per person. It is available from Saturday 12pm – 3:30pm and Sunday 12pm – 4:30pm, and should be booked in advance. You can find out more and book here.

Thanks to Niamh Parker and MCE public relations for the invite and to Berts for the service with a smile.