The Original Maids of Honour

Charming and quintessentially British I started this month's scone fest with a visit to The Original Maids of Honour in Kew. These traditional tea rooms take their unusual name from a cake, which is still on their menu today and I confess I ordered one last time I visited, with a delicious puff pastry and a cheese curd filling its a recipe reputedly dating back to the time of Henry VIII (the one with the six wives).

However today's mission was to partake of their scones. The tea rooms are located opposite Kew Gardens and the  present building dating from the 1940s has an attractive frontage combining mock Tudor and hanging baskets containing colourful flowers. If you're really lucky you might see parked outside their utterly charming silver grey 1930s Austin delivery van. On entering the first room is a bakery, stocked with tasty treats which can be purchased to take away. The adjoining tea room has a the delightful feeling of sitting in someone's parlour its olde worlde decor with wooden table and chairs, floral curtains, a fireplace and a selection of nik naks. On this occasion when I visited the tea rooms were busy, although when I have been previously service has been excellent, I sadly have to report this time I had to wait a good 10 - 15 minutes to be served as the waitresses were busy with larger groups. When the waitress came over she apologised for the wait and when my cream tea arrived I noted there were three instead of the stated two scones on the menu, which I think was their way to say sorry.  The cream tea itself was delicious and excellent value at £6.95.  The scones were attractively served accompanied with a generous portions of clotted cream and jam. They were served cold, on this occasions as it was a ridiculously hot day  I was fine with this but I don't know if that is their usual practice. I had both a fruit and a plain scone and they were both delicious, although the plain ones had been dusted in too much flour (which seems to be a recurring theme for me in quite a few of my reviews of late). The cream tea also included a pot of tea and this was served accompanied with a pot of hot water which is always appreciated. I love the Maids tearoom as it perfectly fits the image (fantasy) I have of what an old fashioned tea rooms should be like but it is better to visit at quieter times when you can really relax and enjoy all its charms.

Ratings:  Scones: 2,   Accompaniments: 2, Service: 1, Ambience: 2, Overall:  7/11

Djanogly Café, Tate Britain

The Djanogly Café is tucked away on the lower floor and is delightfully spacious consisting of two separate indoor seating areas as well as a outside terrace so even on the busiest days we've always managed to get a seat. The café is self service, offers a good selection of food including an attractive display of freshly baked cakes. Their cream teas priced at £6, are extremely popular and sell out fast. I kid you not as it's taken me to this third visit of this year before I was able to acquire them, not that it has been any hardship to visit the Tate. The two large scones came with pre-packed but good quality accompaniments of a packet of butter, clotted cream and a mini jar of Wilkin and Sons Ltd strawberry jam. The café offers a nice selection of pots of teas and I adore their cleverly designed spoons with a bowl and each end (see photo above). The scones were served cold but were very tasty being firm on the outside and soft inside. On the day we visited as the weather was fine we sat outside and it was a very pleasant way to finish our visit.

Ratings:  Scones: 2,   Accompaniments: 2, Service: 2, Ambience: 2, Overall:  8/11

The English Restaurant

My final choice for this month was The English Restaurant in Spitalfields, a delightful family run restaurant opposite Spitalfields Market.I love their charming old fashioned decor with wooden panelling and  fresh flowers on the tables. This time I returned for afternoon tea which cost £15 consisting of sandwiches, cakes and scones but for this review I'm focusing on the scones. The two plain scones arrived warm and with generous portions of clotted cream and jam. They were delicious, being firm on the outside and soft inside. This was accompanied with a pot of tea of my choice and the teapot was promptly topped up when I requested it. Overall I've always had a delightful experience when I've visited here and it makes a pleasant sedate contrast from the busyness of the nearby market.

Ratings:  Scones: 2,   Accompaniments: 2, Service: 2, Ambience: 2, Overall:  8/11

Until next time…

Disclaimer: All views expressed in Scones of the Month (Year) are always my own honest opinion. Unless otherwise stated I have received no “treats” from any of the venues.

If you enjoyed this blog you might like to read about Scones of the Year 2013 or other editions of Scones of the Month.

The author of this blog is a qualified City of London and City of Westminster Tour Guide who leads guided walks combining world famous landmarks with hidden treasures often missed by the crowds

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