Christmas is coming to Hotel La Tour

Hotel La Tour is the newest must visit destination in Birmingham. A stunning, ultra modern, landmark building on the Brummie skyline, Hotel La Tour offers a beautiful setting for luxurious dining. So I was very excited last week when I received an invite from my lovely friend and fellow blogger Emily Jayne to sample their latest afternoon tea offering which promised a real taste of Christmas.

It was the coldest and windiest day imaginable last Thursday, but Hotel La Tour soon raised the spirits – it was in the middle of being decorated for Christmas and looked simply beautiful, like those gorgeous New York hotels you always see in festive movies. Silver lit trees and enormous baubles looked simply magical, whilst a perfect glass of ultra seasonal mulled wine took the chill of the day away.  The mulled wine was the perfect mixture of a deep and fragrant red wine and assorted mixed spices.

And then it was onto the food.  Finger sandwiches consisting of brie and cranberry, smoked salmon and ham and mustard were just gorgeous – the ham and mustard being the pick for me. The mustard theme continued with the ‘pigs in blankets’, traditional Christmas fayre of chipolatas wrapped in bacon. These were really flavoursome, the bacon so crispy and tasty, and with a mustard accompaniment, these were a definite hit.

Of course, the cute little sarnies are just an appetiser for what I was really looking forward to – the pastries and sweets.  First were that traditional taste of English summer, freshly baked scones, raspberry jam and clotted cream. These were absolutely perfect, the scones were just so light and fluffy, and the cream and jam were also delicious. It was all I could do to stop myself licking the spoon! Washed down with a huge pot of English Breakfast tea (my absolute fave) – this was just the perfect way to spend a cold and gloomy afternoon.

The other sweet treats were similarly delicious. The mini Eton Mess were just sublime, sprayed with a sheen of glitter than made them look (almost) too good to eat. The mini truffles and tiny flans were also fabulous, I loved that the truffle resembled a mini Christmas pudding, complete with an iced piece of holly on the top. And, of course, being Christmas, the sweet trolley wouldn’t be complete without a piece of tasty Christmas cake, complete with marzipan icing.

And that was it…except it wasn’t. Because this was a special afternoon tea for the Christmas period, so there was only one possible way to end it…with EGGNOG.  This was a dream in a glass, perfectly frothy, with the wonderful blend of creamy flavours and alcohol, and that smattering of cinnamon/nutmeg on the top. Totally beautiful.

Festive Afternoon tea at Hotel La Tour is a great way to celebrate Christmas with a loved one or a great treat during your Christmas shopping trip. Make sure you try the experience before Santa comes to town.

With thanks to the Sue and the staff of Hotel La Tour for their hospitality, and Emily Jayne for my invitation.

Visit Hotel La Tour for more details.

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