Afternoon Tea in the City (Centre)
Browns in The Hub is a Brasserie & Bar that exudes style and refinement. A place where even the staff look the part in stylish suits and serving outfits.
Although I pre-booked with Browns in advance, I was happy to read in their menu when I was seated in the restaurant that Afternoon Tea doesn’t require booking unless you are going to be in a party of 8 or more or at peak times. I presume to take that like special occasions like Mother’s Day.
My server, a lady (which I am embarrassed to say I don’t have her name – Sorry) was so friendly and attentive that you couldn’t help but feel her cheerfulness rub off on me. Definitely a huge attribute to Browns.
She showed me the four different options for Afternoon Tea Browns offers. Standard, with champagne, with a gin and tonic or especially for summer, with Pimms.
As I am halfway through a pregnancy I just opted for the standard tea but looking at the price increases to include a glass of champagne or Pimms, it seems good value.
First up was the tea. Now coming to the middle of #AfternoonTeaWeek I am quite shocked to say that this is the first of my Afternoon Teas where I am served proper tea (loose leaf). I do adore the taste of loose leaf tea and as part of an Afternoon Tea it feels extra special to have my own tea strainer. Little touches that are lovely.
The Afternoon Tea stand was brought out in next to no time, although this could be because they knew of my booking in advance. Three tiers. The top was the sweet desserts, the middle was two varieties of scones with jam and clotted cream and the bottom was the cute mini brioche filled rolls.
The mini brioche rolls were served with three fillings:
Smoked salmon with chive and lemon cream cheese
Free range egg & baby watercress
Chicken & avocado
They were very tasty little brioche rolls with a hint of sweetness and the fillings were dainty. Slightly less traditional than finger sandwiches but elegant all the same. I would perhaps prefer a slightly bigger portion as my own personal tastes do enjoy the savoury side of the tea immensely which is always fighting for balance against the two further sweet courses. But this balance might suit you? I know people who would give up their sandwich if it meant an extra scone or cake.
For the scones there was both fruit and plain provided along with the pots of clotted cream and jam.
After one round of scones I had used up all the cream and jam but our server didn’t flinch when I cheekily asked for more for the second round of scones and fresh portions were served swiftly.
For the sweet dessert course there was four varieties of sweets:
Salted caramel profiterole
Red velvet cake
White chocolate pot
Lemon & Earl Grey tea cake
All the cakes and sweets were presented well. The delicate lavender flowers on top of the tea cake was particularly memorable and the profiterole was well balanced between salt and sweet.
Red velvet cake is one of my all-time favourite cakes and this one was light and airy whilst still indulgent with the red velvet flavours. I was a very happy eater.
Afternoon Tea at Browns Brasserie & Bar in The HUB CMK is served from 2.30pm – 5pm and is for a minimum of two people so don’t forget to take a friend. Standard tea costs £12.50 per person and if you wish to indulge in a glass of champagne it is £16.95 per person.
Wow! Slobber, drool, nomnom! Great pics LouBou.
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