If you’re looking for an indulgent afternoon to spend with friends or a partner, The Parkgate Hotel should be at the top of your list.
I’ve regularly passed the hotel when walking around the city and I have always been captivated by the magnificence of the Portland Stone building. Without any hesitation, I eagerly accepted the invitation for my partner and I to enjoy afternoon tea at The Parkgate hotel.
This grand grade II listed building was designed by Sir Henry Tanner, completed in 1897 and it functioned as The Post Office.
The interior is majestically designed, from the luxurious chandelier to the beautiful and meticulously laid afternoon tea table.
Arthur Mee described The Post Office in Illustrated History of Cardiff (1897) as one of the finest establishments of its kind in the provinces and it’s apparent to see this continued beauty in the building’s new purpose as a hotel.
When we arrived, we were greeted with warmth and polished customer service by receptionists, who very kindly stored our luggage. We were seated sw
iftly by our server who was wonderful, adding a sense of luxury to the start of our experience as she described conscientiously the order of proceedings. As we settled at our table, I couldn’t help but stare in awe at the double height hall in which we were situated, struck by the opulent columns.
In no time at all, we were served a glass of Laurent–Perrier La Cuvee N.V champagne and given a board of teas to peruse. The server explained we were able to smell the teas before ordering our desired brew; the sensory element enhancing the refined atmosphere.
Presented on the table was an elegantly curated menu, hinting back to the building’s history with decorative postage stamps.
Whilst my partner played it safe with a latte, I was instantly intrigued by the scent of the spiced chai tea. Described as a ‘melting pot of organic spices with cinnamon, ginger and black pepper’, I was convinced I had to try this combination. Both hot drinks arrived seamlessly, and they did not disappoint!
Sipping away on the aromatic tea, we felt instantly at ease in the quiet luxurious ambience – subtle music paired with hushed chatter and the clink of teacups.
Our server returned with the first round of savoury bites: Parkgate Quail Scotch Egg with Bloody Mary sauce and Minted Pea and Hafod Cheddar cheese tart.
The tart was a winning combination: cheese and peas nestled in flaky pastry. Biting into the perfectly composed scotch egg, we instantly agreed that the afternoon was off to a killer start.
Reappearing once again, our sever arrived with trays of sandwiches, scones and delicate pastries.
The server explained each layer, highlighting the combination of flavours in the finger sandwiches. From left to right, the selection was as follows: Chicken Tikka Masala and Mango Mayonnaise, fire roasted peppers and coriander, on white bread; Wye Valley Smoked Salmon, Welsh seaweed butter and black garlic mayonnaise, on brown bread; Ty Mawr Farm Fresh Egg, Japanese mayonnaise and chives, on white bread; Halen Mon Anglesey Sea Salt Cured Cucumber and Ras el hanout cream cheese, on brown bread.
My partner and I dived straight in and discovered our firm favourite – the chicken tikka masala sandwich. The mango mayonnaise danced with the succulent chicken, a soft firework of flavours.
An afternoon tea classic, the cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, was a pleasant addition to the tray, however we were truly blown away by the salmon, butter and mayonnaise. The salmon truly melted in the mouth! And an honorary mention to the egg sandwich and Japanese mayonnaise, a divine combination.
Eager to continue, we eyed up the freshly baked vanilla scones. That’s when we hit a snag – is it scone or scone? Jam then cream or cream then jam? During the friendly debate, I couldn’t help myself and spread jam first, then piled the cream on top (sorry if this offends anyone!). The heavenly Celtic Preserves strawberry jam burst with fruity freshness, complimented by the clotted cream – a divine delight!
And we hadn’t finished yet…
We saved the best until last. Delicate pastries that resembled works of art than desserts, it felt wrong to eat such beauty. However, it was worth it.
The fresh fruit tart was a flourish of flavours, from dragon fruit to crunchy green grapes burrowed in crumbly short crust pastry.
Next, we delved into the lemon sphere and cherry and almond cake. The lemon sphere was an infusion of tangy, citrus notes and a creamy centre, whilst the cherry and almond cake was a velvety, sumptuous mouthful.
And perhaps the star of the show: the hazelnut praline delice. A soothing amalgamation of hazelnut and the monochrome white chocolate signature decoration.
For a truly special occasion, this grand afternoon tea is perfect. The service, atmosphere and delicious food is a real treat.
The basic afternoon tea package is priced at £36.00 Monday to Friday and £42 on weekends (per person). For the prosecco afternoon tea package, it is priced at £43 Monday to Friday and £49 Saturday and Sunday (per person). For the champagne afternoon tea package, as experienced in the review, it is priced at £48 Monday to Friday and £54 Saturday and Sunday.
| Visit: www.theparkgatehotel.wales/
Reviewed by Helen Turnbull |
