A Christmassy afternoon tea in the Europa Hotel

I do love a good afternoon tea.  There is just something quite decadent about enjoying a sumptuous treat in the afternoon.  With that in mind, I was delighted to join a group of ladies to try out the Europa Hotel’s festive offering.  This is the perfect venue for afternoon tea with a piano bar and a view of the comings and goings on bustling Great Victoria Street.

After a lovely glass of Prosecco we were served our choice of tea or coffee and a beautifully presented food offering.  Dainty sandwiches on brown and white bread filled with turkey & stuffing, ham & mustard, egg & spring onion, smoked salmon, cream cheese & pickled cucumber and my favourite, brie with roasted red pepper relish & caramelised red onion marmalade.  Totally delicious and perfect with a savoury pithivier (think posh sausage roll!)

Orange and cranberry scones joined traditional fruit & cinnamon scones, topped with butter, jam and cream, always my favourite part of an afternoon tea!  As the recently crowned champion of Northern Ireland’s best scone, I consider myself a good judge of scones and these did not disappoint.

The sweet offerings included salted caramel & pistachio macaroons, festive bakewells, cinnamon & mulled wine panacea, raspberry & white chocolate eclair and opera gateau.  I can honestly say that the sweet section is normally wasted on me after I have attended to the sandwiches and scones, but these looked really tempting.  My favourite has to be the raspberry & white chocolate eclair which was light and delicious!

If like me, you like afternoon tea, I would urge you to give this a try.  Perfect after a spot of Christmas shopping in the city centre.  You can find more information about the festive afternoon teas here.