I spend way too much time day-dreaming about being a royal. I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to live in the most luxurious castles with giant staircases, grand pianos, four poster beds and a huge library.
Well, I finally got a glimpse of that life after I was invited to the beautiful Luttrellstown Castle and now I really hope things don’t work out between Harry and Meghan (I’m kidding, mostly.)
I felt like I was living in a fairytale once I stepped inside.
The castle oozes charm and class. We drank mulled wine and ogled at the biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen as a harpist played in the background.
I genuinely felt like I’d walked into an episode of The Crown, minus the corgis and tiaras.
The staff treated us like royalty from the moment we arrived until the second we (reluctantly) left the gorgeous castle grounds.
As a special Christmas treat, the castle will be open for each Sunday in December and Monday, December 23 for afternoon tea.
Inspired by the one and only Queen Victoria, this afternoon tea is bound to make you feel like a true Duchess.
Sip on warm Irish tea from a little china cup and cozy up by the toasty fire. Tuck into tasty sandwiches- I’d recommend the roast pork loin with cranberry stuffing and apple relish.
But don’t forget to leave room for the sweet treats. There is a huge range of cakes and sweets to enjoy, but you just can’t beat the classic scone that is served with served with clotted cream and jam.
Treat yourself this Christmas and live like a queen at Luttrellstown Castle. Perhaps ask for this divine afternoon tea experience for Christmas?
It’s time to get all aboard an exquisite new afternoon tea experience at Brown Thomas.
Brown Thomas has unveiled the most enchanting afternoon tea experience with guests invited to come all aboard its magical train carriage in The Restaurant by Johnnie Cooke this festive season.
Priced from €45, the afternoon tea experience offers the most delectable combination of sweet and savoury delights by renowned chef Johnnie Cooke and includes a glass of prosecco also.
Beautifully presented on a tea stand replicating the façade of the iconic Grafton Street department store, the delicious savoury menu includes an Irish St Tola goat’s cheese tartlet, truffle chicken gougeres with morel mushrooms, black truffle and parmesan cheese, coronation chicken served with red endive, sultanas, almonds and mango and a ‘Brown Thomas Charmeuse’ – a buckwheat crêpe served with organic Irish smoked salmon, chives, caviar and crème fraîche.
Guests can indulge sweet treats such as a champagne raspberry macaron, a Sicilian lemon tart, a Catalan crème brûlée made with Seville orange, cinnamon and bourbon vanilla and a ‘Brown Thomas Verrine’ – a creamy coconut, liquid raspberry, passion fruit mousse. Guests can treat themselves to bubbles from Veuve Clicquot or a cocktail from a specially curated menu.
Little shoppers will adore a delightful selection of savoury and sweet options (priced at €17.50) from mini ham and cheddar quiches and mini brioche sliders to Nutella and banana sandwiches and much more.
The new Brown Thomas Afternoon Tea experience is served daily with sittings at 3pm, 4pm and 5:15pm from now until Thursday, December 19 at The Restaurant by Johnnie Cooke on Level 3 at Brown Thomas Dublin.
All bookings can be made by telephoning The Restaurant at 01-6171163.
The five-star Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort has launched a brand-new autumn inspired Afternoon Tea menu available now until November 23. Inspired by local and in-season ingredients, the Wicklow based Resort is always refreshing their delectable afternoon tea menu’s.
With colder days headed this way, executive head chef Susan Leacy has created a very special menu with all your afternoon tea favourites that is perfect to enjoy by the fire. With the resort’s picturesque woodlands in the heart of Wicklow showing all their beautiful autumn colours, Druids Glen’s Afternoon Tea is the perfect way to relax and unwind. Whether it’s after a brisk walk, a day out with your mum or a bit of self-love, immerse yourself in the heart of Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.
The special Autumnal Afternoon Tea menu includes delicious savoury sandwiches and fluffy scones, finished off with a variety of sweet treats such as Salted Caramel and Almond Tart and Vanilla and Plum Crème Brûlée.
The Autumnal Afternoon Tea costs €32 per person and is served daily from 1.30pm to 4.00pm. If you’re feeling bubbly why not add a glass of Masottina Prosecco Frizzante (€41) or Pannier Champagne (€50).
Take in the beautiful autumn colours and tastes at the five-star Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort, to make a reservation call 0 1 287 0847 or visit www.druidsglenresort.com.
If you're looking for designer desserts and sweet treats in a lavish location? Of course you are.
The Westbury is heralding the return of the National College of Art and Design-inspired Afternoon Tea, as long term supporters of arts, design fashion and culture.
Cakes and pastries which will be served at the luxurious Gallery restaurant have been created through the kaleidoscope of NCAD fashion students, and they look earth-shatteringly good.
Nestled between Dublin's creative quarter and elegant Grafton Street, the decadent Westbury hotel is the capital's premier luxury location and member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Renowned for its commitment to supporting the arts, the Westbury is now celebrating five years of their partnership with the National College of Art and Design by launching their most fashionable Afternoon Tea to date.
These artistic cakes and treats will be available for a limited period, and guests of the serene Gallery can sample exquisitely designed desserts from rising stars in design,
Executive Pastry Chef at The Westbury, Ray Encarnacion, has skilfully made the presentation and was clearly inspired by the style and intricate detail of each fashion look.
Fashion design: Ciara Allen
The impressive orange outfit is infused with vibrant colour and was created by Ciara Allen. Ray was influenced to draw upon the bold colour choice by sculpting a sumptuous pistachio Bavaroise, hazelnut sable, and khalua fluid gel.
Fashion design: Dora Oduro
Dora Oduro Newman's gorgeous dark design encompasses an oversize black dress with dupion silk embellishment and rivet studs, inspired by her multi-cultural experience.
As a result, Ray made a striking black and gold tartlet, with cherry gel, chocolate mousse and delish peach custard. We are shaking with the sugar cravings right about now.
Fashion designer: Gabrielle Malone
The all-white creation by Gabrielle Malone was inspired by fishermen's work attire and tools, and translates as a delicate Verrine made of white chocolate cremeux.
That gorgeous orange colour is passion fruit jelly, mixed with white chocolate and coconut-whipped ganache. Heaven help us.
Fashion design: Una King
Bivouac, Una King's poncho design, is based on the concept of temporary encampment. Ray created the stunning, elegant cake with delicious and light beer sponge, strawberry mousse, yoghurt cremeux and citrus Italian meringue.
The flavours…someone pick our jaws up off the floor please.
If you are what you eat, does that make us artists?
Designer: Elizabeth Omowumi
Last but not least, Elizabeth Omowumi’s voluminous hooded design is an oversized African print laser-cut jacket with knit cuffs, over a colourful African print-petaled shirt with knit collar.
Ray created a vibrant choux from blueberry compôte and lavender pastry cream to bring the style to edible life.
The pastry chef described how he crafted the unique array of desserts, explaining how rewarding the experience was:
"Meeting with the designers in their NCAD fashion studio and choosing from their amazing creations, deciding which would translate best as a dessert was an unusual but exciting opportunity for me.
"There’s always a fine balance to be struck between how the cakes and pastries resemble the designers work, and how this will be interpreted by our guests," Encarnacion added.
"Gaining an insight into the students’ inspiration behind the designs was crucial to the interpretation of the designs, and I hope the designers and guests alike are pleased with the end result”
Guests can enjoy the bespoke NCAD Inspired Afternoon Tea for just €55 per person, or €70 per person with Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut or Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé.
If you want the full shebang with Dom Pérignon Champagne, the Afternoon Tea will cost a total of €90…it's totally worth it in our humble opinion.
The NCAD Inspired Afternoon Tea is available from June 7 until mid-September, but book in advance on their website to ensure a spot.
Are you unnaturally excited about the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast? Then you have come to the right place.
We have discovered the most magical afternoon tea ever, and you will LOVE it.
The Kensington Hotel in London is now offering a magical Beauty and the Beast themed afternoon tea called "Tale as Old as Time," and it honestly looks amazing.
The tea set is Beauty and the Beast inspired (hello Mrs Potts and Chip), and the the food is inspired by the Disney classic.
Some of the delicious highlights of the spread include a spiced snow ball macaroon and a chocolate clock tart made of chocolate ganache, featuring an image of the lovable Cogsworth’s face.
The teas costs €45 per person, or €55 if you’d like a glass of champagne (because, why not?).
The Tale as Old as Time Afternoon Tea is available now on Saturdays and Sundays, and will be until the end of June.
If you're still struggling to think of a Mother's Day gift idea for your mum, or if you just want to treat her to a day out soon, why not try a spot of afternoon tea?
It's got that little extra special touch over a normal restaurant lunch – and you don't have to stick to just tea, of course!
Here are some of our favourite places around Ireland for a girly afternoon…
Dublin
The Atrium Lounge at The Westin
Try their traditional afternoon tea with sandwiches, cake and loose lea tea for €28pp, or have some fun with their Most Peculiar Aftertoon Tea for €30pp, a Alice in Wonderland-style menu which includes a "Victorian mojito" in a teapot. Fancy or what?!
Cork
Hayfield Manor
You can choose to be served in the hotel's bright lobby area or in the elegant drawing room, with an afternoon tea including tea, sandwiches, cakes and homemade chocolates for €27pp, or for €39pp with a glass of Champagne.
Galway
The g Hotel
This boutique hotel offers afternoon tea in true style, with an assortment of sweet treats, sandwiches and tea for €26 (€42 for two people), or the above with a glass of pink Champagne for €37 (€59 for two).
Limerick
Adare Manor
The old Dunraven family home is now a stunning hotel, offering an elegant afternoon tea for €28.50pp (vegetarian option available) or €37.50pp with a glass of Prosecco or Prosecco Rosé.
Belfast
Titanic Suite at Titanic Belfast
Enjoy live jazz music as you are served up a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes, sweets and freshly baked scones with clotted cream, plus your choice of a slice of one Titanic signature cake, cut at the table for you. Prices start at £24pp, and go up to £29 to include a glass of Prosecco and £34 to include a glass of Champagne.
Our summer picnics in the park have been given a touch of class as The Westin Dublin announce the launch of their takeaway afternoon tea.
Avaible from The Atrium at The Westin Dublin, the takeaway afternoon tea features a sleek and convenient carry box complete with the traditional tea-stand tiers for all those delicious cakes and sandwiches.
Perfect for bringing back to the office or for a picnic with the girls!
The afternoon tea consists of all your favourites from the classic afternoon tea such as homemade roast spiced beef sandwiches, cucumber and dill cream cheese sandwiches, red velvet cupcakes and delicate pistachio macaroons.
The Westin Dublin’s takeaway afternoon tea is available at €20 per person and must be ordered up to 24 hours in advance.
