Luxurious afternoon tea within sight of Edinburgh castle
The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian, started its life in 1903 as a railway hotel and soon gained a reputation as the place to be seen in Edinburgh.
Stars from the silver screen who have visited, grace the walls as you enter "Peacock Alley". I certainly found out why they came. There is a quiet and unassuming atmosphere, somewhere to relax with friends. Which I did, I had the pleasure of afternoon tea-ing with the newlywed Mrs Edinburger, so tea, cakes and chat was called for (Check out their blog here).
Menu
Peacock Alley's afternoon tea showcases savoury freshly-cut finger sandwiches, decadent sweets and a selection of home-made scones with clotted cream and jam.
There are also over thirty fine loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions to choose from and I picked the house tea, the Peacock blend.
Finger Sandwiches
Egg and cress
Smoked salmon and dill crème fraîche
Honey roast ham and mustard mayonnaise
Connage highland crowdie and cucumber
Crab mayonnaise, avocado and lime, brioche bun
Pancetta and hazelnut tart
Freshly Baked Scones
Selection of plain and sultana
Served with homemade preserve & clotted cream
Pastries
Red velvet cupcake
Orange and Pimms curd meringue tart
White chocolate and raspberry macaroon
Edinburgh fog
Popcorn and vanilla choux bun
Caramel apple mousse & macadamia Breton
£32 per person
£46 per person with champagne
Children's afternoon tea is £16 per child
Food
The freshly-made sandwiches were delicious, if only my packed lunches tasted this good! Connage crowdie with cucumber was my fave - so creamy and light - I could happily have munched another round of these! Along with the more conventional sandwiches there was a crab, mayonnaise and avocado brioche bun; and pancetta and hazelnut tart - I'd never tried that particular combination before, it had a creamy quiche-like filling with chunks of pancetta and was lightly speckled with hazelnut.
Sitting pride of place at the top of the tower were some fabulous looking cakes.
The Edinburgh Fog is in the middle of the plate here, sliced in two for myself and Mrs Edinburger to enjoy. A base of almond biscuit topped with raspberry mousse - it was divine! Thankfully we didn't have to split any of the other cakes - or this could have been war!
Our plates were replaced with scones, plain and fruit, which were served with jam and clotted cream. Then more cakes were provided - this time the orange and Pimms curd meringue tart caught our eyes.
Experience
This is an afternoon tea worthy of the money. The food is delicious and if you like unobtrusive service in a relaxed refined environment then Peacock Alley afternoon tea is for you. I loved sitting in what was the old ticket area for the historic railway station reflecting on how the life of the building has changed over the years and pondering about all the famous faces who've sat here. You'll certainly be bowled over by the cakes and savouries, and full for a good few hours afterwards unlike some other afternoon teas.
Location:
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian, Princes Street, Edinburgh
Times:
Afternoon Tea is served 12pm to 5pm Monday - Friday, and 12pm to 6pm Saturday & Sunday
Booking:
Booking is essential
Nearest railway station:
Haymarket, Waverley Railway Station
Disclaimer: Mrs Foodie was kindly invited by Waldorf Astoria to sample the afternoon tea but Fred vouches that the "hoomin speak" here is the truth, even though he doesn't understand any of it.
