Afternoon tea at Parker's Tavern

The first thing to be said about afternoon tea at Parker's Tavern is that they lay on at least twice as much food as you could possibly eat, even if you ate nothing else all day. So don't forget to ask for one (or two) of their doggy-boxes when you leave. 

It's served on the classic tiered dishes in the elegant and spacious surroundings of their dining room, overlooking Parker's Piece, so guaranteed to impress out-of-town visitors. You need to book, which involves a £10 per head deposit.

Now down to the food and drink. The tea itself, of which there are many varieties, is from tea-bags but comes in tall metal pots that keep it nice and hot.

The food offering (we had the "spring" version) contained the obligatory smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches and scones, but also a wide variety of gourmet delicacies, including (among savouries) apple & Stilton sausage roll and truffle chicken wrap, and (among sweet treats) rhubarb & ginger tart and blood orange & earl grey opera (cake). But that's by no means the full story. Chocoholics will not be disappointed.

The food quality I found to be excellent throughout, superior to the only other big-time tea I have had in this neighbourhood (at Madingley Hall some years ago). The scones, for instance, the benchmark of a good tea (imho), were fresh and light, unlike those in certain cream teas I have had elsewhere. 

The only negative note in our experience was a clueless waiter who needed to refer all queries to a superior, only to later explain that he didn't normally serve tea. He and other waiters (there was a battery of them) were, however, charming.

The price? Don't even ask. They also do a children's version at half of x. Oh, all right. The adult version is £39 pp, including drinks. An enhanced version including bubbly adds £10.