Though I’ve lounged many times in the happy atmosphere of The Grand Hotel’s Madeleine Bar I had not yet treated myself to afternoon tea there which looked like a special occasion in itself and so, with the excuse of celebrating a friend’s birthday, I found myself once again in one of the most exciting and romantically decorated rooms in the city.
Afternoon tea - a small salmon savoury, 3 finger sandwiches, 2 scones ( lemon and fruit) with jam and cream and 3 delightful examples of the patissier’s art - chocolate, banoffee, coconut and pineapple with rum - all washed down by a choice of several teas plus a glass of very quaffable champagne - all for a very agreeable £35. And eaten while basking in the atmosphere and luxurious cosiness of Madeleine.
A fine way to pass an hour or two of a Birmingham afternoon. The place buzzing with little groups of people, largely women, indulging themselves in each other’s company while living the Grand life no matter what the Russians, inflation, oil prices and the rest are up to outside. A couple of hours of civilisation to be savoured.
Meanwhile the inspectors representing the Michelin Guide have really pushed out the boat in this month’s list of restaurants newly featured in the Guide when it comes to spreading out across England to find exciting new places to eat across our nation. Five new dining establishments have been added in the new May listing - two in London and three in Kent and none anywhere else. Perhaps they are trying to save on travel expenses. The West Midlands once more remains the only region never to have had a single restaurant featured in these monthly lists. The region is a Michelin black hole and the Guide’s relevance grows increasingly in doubt. But who cares about them? I’m back in Madeleine and reliving my very grand afternoon tea.
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