What better way to spend a blustery, damp and cold-for-September Sunday afternoon than sampling the offerings of The Cliff Hotel's Afternoon Tea?
We arrived early but that was not a problem. We were shown to our booth inside the spacious bar area. On a less inclement day, we would have enjoyed the outside terrace, overlooking the award winning Gorleston beach and promenade, but we had to make do with an indoor seating arrangement today.
That is not to say it wasn't lovely. The booths are spacious and comfortable and, it being in the middle of Coronavirus 2020, we felt safe. Guests are asked to wear masks until they are seated at their tables and in public areas, staff were all masked and the bar was spotlessly clean.
Our drinks order was taken as we took our seats, and delivered in next to no time at all with the afternoon tea following closely behind. On this occasion we had requested one of our party of four have a dairy-free (d-f) alternative and this was served on a separate tray arrangement from the other three.
There was an array of finger sandwiches, including salmon, ham & mustard, tuna and cheese, with the d-f alternative of egg mayonnaise, ham and tuna.
Strangely added to the top layer, the desserts section, were mini cheese tartlets which were not really to our taste, but that is personal and not general.
The jam and cream (with a d-f cream alternative) fruit scones were fresh, indeed warm, and tasty.
Following this, we were spoiled for choice with 6 different mini desserts each. While the dessert offerings were varied and plentiful, we felt the balance between savoury and sweet was a little off with too much emphasis on desserts even for the four of us with our usual sweet-toothed taste. That aside, the meal was very enjoyable, the staff were attentive and friendly, and the drinks top-ups were regularly offered and kept on coming; something we were very impressed with.
The four of us rated each of the following out of five and the average scores are shown here.
Environment (both inside and out): 4.25/5
Quality: 4.25/5
Service: 4.75/5
Value: 4.25/5
Overall rating: 17.5/20
Would we visit again? Definitely.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable Afternoon Tea and we wouldn't hesitate to return.
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