Getting Ritzy

As any of you know (or may have guessed) I am a big fan of high tea and recently I got to do the ultimate - high tea at The Ritz.

I was actually really lucky to be going to celebrate two of my good friends Shea and Candras birthdays. In October last year we had all put in and bought them vouchers to a "celebration champagne high tea". However as there is such a long waiting list (six months for weekends, two months for weeknights) we didn't get to go until January.

Before going to the Ritz we decided to check out another London institution and go see Fortnum and Mason right next door on Piccadilly.

The famous department store is home to four floors of elegant and luxury products as well as several bars and restaurants - also frequented for high tea.

We decided to go to the wine bar downstairs where you can either buy a glass from the bar selection or buy a bottle from the shop floor and drink that instead - just for a few pounds corkage.

After a quick glass of sparkling rose and a girly catch up we wandered down to The Ritz. We had got all glitzy in dresses and heels but even so when we walked in the doors you could see what amateurs we were.

The place was just so glamourous - chandeliers opulent decorations and tuxedoed wait staff. Think of the swankiest place you have been and dip it in fairy dust and you will probably come close.

After a few giggles and photos we were seated at our table where we selected our tea and waited for our tea trays to come. When they arrived they were laden with little sandwiches with the classics - cucumber! They also had two extra tiers to be filled with scones and sweets. We soon got stuck into the tea, champagne and sandwiches. Once we were finished they bought out warm scones with jam and cream which were delicious!






By this stage we were getting pretty full and but we soldiered on and tried the final tier filled with mini cakes and pastries.

By this stage we were too full to fit in the cakes offered off the trolley and even the girls special celebration cake (lucky we could take it away).

By the end of the night we had feasted and drank about two potfuls of tea each while sitting in a gorgeous setting- which everyone could agree is a perfect birthday celebration and much more exciting then a typical Wednesday night!