After we left MK we headed back to SSR for a dip in the pool and we got changed and headed over to GF for afternoon tea. Tea time!
We checked in just a few minutes ahead of our reservation time and were given a pager to hang onto while we walked around the lobby. I could just hang out in the lobby all day. It's so beautiful. And it smells like rich people.
A few of the characters you can see on the floor outside the tea room.
Quite fitting don't ya think?
We waited and waited and waited and finally Rob went up to check on our reservation and magically it was ready at that very moment. I just think they forgot about us, but what can you do.
Now, we loved it here last time (well I did anyway) except for the service, so I was hoping to not have the same grumpy tea master as last time. We were seated in the exact same spot as last time, which worried me slightly, but fortunately it was someone different and not grumpy.
We were given menus to look over.
This is my complaint about tea in it's current form here. They changed the menu selections around slightly and yet it changes everything. I do not care for the changes that took place since our trip last September and we did mention it to our server who was very much in agreement with us. Also, they took away slightly from each package and raised the prices. Price increases happen at Disney, I get it, but don't take away from us too. Kind of a bummer, but anyway, back to the food.
I went with the Bedforshire Tea which consists of: First Course Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese and Lavosh, Second Course Buttery Scone and Jam Tart and Finale Choice of delicate House-Made Pastries, Strawberries and Creme, or English Trifle all Accompanied by your choice of tea. You could get the same package but add a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne for $15 more. I am cool with the cheap stuff, so I got the cheaper package and added a glass of $8 Domaine Ste.-Michelle. Thrifty!
Rob had the Cheshire Tea. First Course Selection of exotic fruits and imported cheeses. Second Course a Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese and Lavosh. Third Course Buttery Scone and Jam Tart and Finale Choice of delicate House-Made Pastries, Strawberries and Creme, or English Trifle all Accompanied by your choice of tea
For my tea selection I went with the Pina Colada Rooibus, which I had last time and LOVED!
No clue what tea Rob got. None. I did terrible with my note taking this trip. Sorry! But he liked it. Whatever it was.
The cute cover for your tea pots.
When it was time to bring out my glass of Domaine Ste.-Michelle our server said they had only put in bottles to chill a few hours ago and it may not be cold enough for my liking, so he offered to bring me a glass to try. I took a sip and said it was fine, but he winked at me and said, "Not cold enough you say? Well then in that case I will give you a glass of the good stuff for the same price." Works for me! And he let me keep the rest of the glass he already poured me. Good man!!!
Sipping my tea like a lady.
Rob started off with the exotic fruit platter with assorted cheese.
There was honeycomb, star fruit, mango, papaya, pineapple and a variety of cheese. I took some of his cheddar and the mango, but I did not find this plate impressive, especially considering this was the only difference between my package and Rob's, but $18 more. Yikes!
Then we both had the finger sandwiches with berries, cheese, lavosh and an onion tart.
There was egg salad, golden beat, cucumber and watercress, curried chicken, and a fifth option I am totally blanking on. No more pear and gorgonzola.
On the plus side, Rob hates egg salad and gave me his. Score!
I loved this! The sandwiches are heavenly and I could eat 20 of those onion tarts. The bummer here is the fact that they took away the little pate on the plate. I really liked that last time. Also, Rob did not get the finger sandwiches last time because he got the cheese and pate plate, which is now completely gone from any of the packages. That was what he didn't like about this time. He was much happier with the pates than the finger sandwiches.
Up next we both got the scone and strawberry tart with apricot jam, devonshire cream and lemon curd.
I love the scone and tart! Amazing! I prefer the devonshire cream and need much more than they give you, but I did try the apricot jam with it as well and it was quite tasty.
For our final course Rob went with the pastries. You got one of the swan pastries, chocolate covered strawberry and an eclair.
He liked these, but you used to be able to pick which three you wanted from a variety of 5 or 6 different choices. These three choices did not appeal to me, so I chose the trifle, which today was strawberry. Funny, strawberry trifle is my favorite trifle so bring it on!
Very yummy! I approve!
While I had a great, relaxing time here, I don't know if I would go again next trip. The prices are now a little too high and they took away too much for us to both get a great experience for the price. This is very sad because I so loved it here last time and was so looking forward to this. Like I said, it was awesome, but that price increase lowered my chances of coming back and making this an annual thing.