Afternoon Tea at The Royal Hotel

On October 14th, I was invited to a Bloggers afternoon tea at the Royal Hotel in Southend (very handy since I live 10 minutes away!). I'm not sure you're meant to admit this but it was my very first blogger's event - and what a way to start!

In my twenties (read: drinking days) I avoided the Royal Hotel, it was an unsavoury drinking hole that had a lousy reputation. I always thought it was such a shame as it's an iconic 200+-year-old Southend landmark.

The Beautiful Royal Hotel *Although no 

longer a hotel*

Fast-forward to 2015, when brothers Matthew and David along with their father Terry renovated and saved the building from wreck and ruin, into a glorious restaurant and bar - something Southenders could be proud of.

Upon arrival, we were presented with a glass of non-alcoholic Prosecco called the Bee's Knees which was refreshing and tasty, perfect for baby showers and younger customers who want to feel grown up.

Director/Owner Matthew came to greet us and escorted me to the first-floor ballroom. Unfortunately, the venue isn't wheelchair accessible as it's a Grand II listed building, but all the staff were extremely helpful and supportive in getting myself and my chair around so that I didn't miss out.

The ballroom was exquisite, with the original 1791 floor, ornate coving and chandeliers. Standing in such a grand hall you can imagine how it was THE place to party and dine. Former guests of the Royal Hotel include Princess Caroline, wife of George IV and Lady Hamilton held a final ball for her lover Admiral Horatio Nelson in 1805, just a few months before the Battle of Trafalgar and now Lynsey Garrick lol!

The Royal Ballroom

Afternoon Tea was an absolute treat, we were lucky to sample the Royal Hotel Afternoon tea with delicate sandwiches, a selection of beautiful cakes, macaroons and scones with Tiptree jam. Plus we tried the Gentleman's Royal tea which featured chunky sandwiches, burgers, sausages, cheeses, olives and crackers.

 

The Royal Afternoon Tea and The Gentleman's Tea

Although both were delicious,  I personally preferred the Gentleman's selection which you can also add a Dalimore Whisky tray, sampling various aged products. With both booking's you can have tea, coffee or for a special event, prosecco.

After tea, The Royal Hotel staff hand more treats in store for us. We were escorted by Matthew, whose background is in event organising for venues such as the Tower of London and the Natural History Museum, to meet his brother David a trained flare barman who was head Bar Trainer at the London Cocktail Club.

 

Dr Legba's Emporium and Menu

Tucked away in the venue basement, is the wonderful Dr Legba's Emporium, an Emerald Green tavern, carefully lit, with a reclaimed wooden bar, covered in 2p's (over £170 worth!), quirky lamps and artwork, in addition to intimate tables and seating nooks perfect for a date night or a small celebratory event.

David expertly made us a selection of Royal Hotel cocktails. The menus are regularly rotated and the team are continually testing and trialling new and exclusive recipes.

Every drink was completely out of this world, I could easily spend a whole day trying them all. Each cocktail was distinctive playing on the origin recipes. For example, in David's Espresso Martini he adds salted caramel syrup adding a warming twist to this classic. 

Espresso Martini

I fell in love with the eccentric Absinth fountain, with its four funnels drip pouring the potent liquor into sugar cubes, for a heady aniseed cocktail. The piece de resistance of the afternoon was the "Pork and Apple" a blend of Sour apple liqueur, Absolut vodka, pressed apple juice, fresh lime all stirred with a slice of absinthe caramelised bacon, which is set alight - this cocktail was so scrumptious and the sweet, salty, smoky bacon was a distinctive little treat!

 

Absithe Fountain and The Pork and Apple cocktail

Matthew and David were wonderful hosts, the hotel staff were friendly and sweet, all the food and drinks were knowledgeably handpicked for an elite experience but without customers feeling out of place. The Royal Hotel is a special venue and I highly recommend it for lunches, nights out, afternoon teas or even a Sunday roast, it's a place where every meal feels like a luxurious treat.

View from The Royal Hotel

For more information and to see menu's click here!

L xxx

Afternoon Tea at The Roslin

One of my best friends is moving to Plymouth and like our Queen for her Diamond Jubilee – Helen has been having a succession of celebrations so that she can say Goodbye to all her friends, giving us a chance to wish her well on her new adventures.

After a Malibu fuelled girls night out and a family friendly BBQ in Helen’s back garden for our final farewell - our friend Jen booked Afternoon Tea and the Roslin Beach Hotel, on Southend’s Sea front.

The Roslin is an award winning, hotel, restaurant and popular wedding reception venue. I’ve gone passed it a million times and always wanted to go in and see if all the personal recommendations and awards were worth the hype.

Upon arriving we found that the parking facilities, although free were limited, but two of our three car convoy managed to get a space.

I was happy to see a wheelchair ramp and double doors into the bright, white and cream reception where we were welcomed by the receptionist and restaurants’ Maître d'.

We were lead to a light and spacious dining area with large round tables covered in perfect white cloths. There were three other groups of ladies lunching – many, like ourselves, were dressed for the occasion in summer prints and classic cut dresses.

Ladies that lunch L-R Helen, Me, Lauren, Jen & Sara

We were greeted by our waitress who asked if we preferred coffee or English tea and soon tea pots matching our ornate, bone china floral tea cups and plates were placed amongst the 5 of us. 

Tea anyone?

Within ten minutes of arriving two, three tiered stands adorned our table with fresh sandwiches, mini cupcakes, fresh meringues and scones accompanied by Devonshire clotted cream a selection of Tiptree Jams.

Devonshire Scones as they should be - cream then jam! 

One of our group unfortunately didn’t care for any of the sandwich fillings and another of our friends is a vegetarian – I was worried asking for some extra and different food’s would be seen as us being difficult customers but the waitress seem unfazed by the request and a batch of cheese sandwiches and a plate of strawberries soon made their way to our table – all very delicious!

Our conversations consisted of Helen’s big move and the beauty of keeping in touch via Skype and Facebook, 50 Shades of Grey – our table was split and I’m not sure what it says about our group that none were shocked by its content, The Olympics and the havoc that will cause in London and a good old gossip about life in general.

After another round of perfect cups of tea and only a few crumbs remaining (I was particularly partial to the smoked salmon sandwiches – in fact I ate them all) we said Good Luck and not Goodbye to Helen and I personally wish her and her family all the love and luck in the world!

L x

Afternoon Tea at Roslin Beach Hotel is £14.95 (per person) on weekends and £12.95 during the week. Open 3-5pm Monday-Saturday and 12:30-4:30pm on Sundays. There are upgrades to the package where you can order savoury platters and even indulge in pink champagne!  Call 01702 586375 to book.