Tea at the Ritz

I have always wanted to go to The Ritz for afternoon tea and now I think I will be going this year! Its my boyfriends Grandma and Grandad's 70th and 80th birthday this year and to really treat them we have decided to take them to have afternoon tea at the Ritz. A bit pricey but they are worth it, you don't turn 80 and 70 every day do you! Plus it will be research for me too, well no not really I just want to go and eat cake and drink tea!
I will report back when I have been.

A menu for a very nice afternoon tea with suggestions for appropriate teas

Traditional Afternoon Tea
A selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches (crusts off, preferably cucumber or fish paste)
Warm scones with clotted cream and preserves
A variety of home made cakes (coffee and Victoria sponge are delightful)
Your choice from a range of teas

Here are some of the more common teas but of course there are so many to choose from out there.

Darjeeling
An aromatic and astringent tea from India, with a hint of almonds and wildflowers.


Earl Grey
A blend of black teas scented with oil of bergamot named after Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, who was Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834.


Lapsang Souchong
A Chinese tea fired over smoking pine needles, which produces a striking smoky odour and flavour.

A delicious coffee and walnut cake recipe to go with your tea:

Coffee and walnut cake

250g butter
250g soft light brown sugar
4 eggs
300 self raising four
200ml strong coffee
50g walnuts chopped

Buttercream

225g unsalted butter
3 teaspoons strong coffee (dissolve the coffee in just enough water to make a paste)