Betty’s has always been a beloved tearoom in this family and having been established 100 years ago no less, it’s a landmark cafe and restaurant in Yorkshire that locals and tourist alike, literally queue for miles for. There’s nowhere quite like Betty’s.
Sunday saw the family enjoy an exquisite afternoon tea in our new hometown of Harrogate for a sumptuous feast spanning pescetarian, vegetarian and allergy-friendly tartlets, teeny sandwiches, scones and minature cakes.
I treated myself to the pink champagne afternoon tea option (with a refreshing glass of Collet Rosé Champagne) whilst my husband opted for delicate blossom, green jasmine tea. I also enjoyed a fragrant China Rose tea with my scones!
This lavish offering below is what we enjoyed with each ingredient being locally sourced and everything being utterly delicious. The scones were the best we’ve ever eaten and I say that as a prior Windsor resident so know my scones!
SAVOURY SELECTION
Pea and shallot Ă©clair
Wensleydale, spinach and Swiss wine tartlet
SANDWICHES
Milk roll with egg mayonnaise and crispy onions
Yorkshire salami and mozzarella on sun-dried tomato bread
Flaked salmon, horseradish, celery and caper in malted grain bread
MINIATURE SCONES
Freshly baked throughout the day.
Lemon and poppy seed scone
Plain scone
Served with Yorkshire strawberry preserve and clotted cream.
MINIATURE CAKE SELECTION
Salted Caramel Rose
Light chocolate mousse with a salted caramel centre
on a dark chocolate square, topped with a
Swiss dark chocolate decoration.
Passion Fruit & Raspberry Slice
Layers of light joconde sponge, passion fruit jelly and raspberry buttercream,
finished with a passion fruit glaze and Italian meringue.
Strawberry & Cream Macaroon
A dainty double macaroon, one filled with white chocolate ganache and strawberry pĂ¢te
de fruit, the other with strawberry and white chocolate ganache. Finished with a delicate
sugar flower and Swiss dark chocolate curl.
Betty’s kindly swapped anything with nuts in for myself and Florence with a creamy cheesecake alternative instead of the mini cakes. They can’t guarantee items are entirely nut-free so there might be traces.
Nothing was too much trouble when it came to dietary requirements, allergens and preferences. They also offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as a smaller, children’s menu Florence gobbled up with glee (see the photos below). They also provided a colouring in pack to keep her entertained.
Scrumptious and so pretty to boot!
The adult’s afternoon tea was equally yummy.
We also enjoyed the most excellent and attentive service from Lena and Vicky who served us, and the piantist Derry was utterly charming to speak to, and also on the piano! Florence was quite taken with him and his cuddly octopus who sits on the top of his piano as he taps away. We loved chatting to him and hearing about his childhood!
The Imperial Room where afternoon tea is served in the Harrogate branch of Betty’s was bathed in sunlight streaming in from the windows on this suprisingly sunny day in March, and overlooking the pretty green outside certainly adds to the experience. I must note that is also entirely suitable for families, friends and couples respectively as other parents with their children were also dining there and the atmosphere is inviting and relaxed rather than stuffy. A luxurious but inclusive experience!
An afternoon tea makes for the perfect celebratory occasion be it a birthday, Mother’s Day, milestone, or just because you fancy treating yourself and your family.
Prices from £44.95 per person. They do also promise to add extra sandwiches and tea on the (unlikely, in my opinion) occassion you might not feel full. We didn’t have that problem and positively rolled out of the Imperial Suite into Valley Gardens nearby! We were so happily full, we couldn’t even manage dinner later on!
What a dreamy afternoon!
Thank you so much to Betty’s for inviting us.
You can book an afternoon tea here.
This was a press visit but as always, my views are honest.
Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio
My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence.
Mumboss: The Honest Mum’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(UK 2nd Edition)
Available on Amazon or Audible
The Working Mom: Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(US/Canada Edition)
Available September 8th 2020. Order now on Amazon