The General Chat Thread

Merkin

Where did you go Miss F? It looks thoroughly civilised, glad to see the obligatory glass of bubbly in the pictures too!:)

MissFlitworth

The Westin in Dublin. They had a bit of a mad Afternoon Tea apart from the traditional one we got that came with a gin mojito in a tea pot but was there with a buddy who's adverse to gin so we went for the bubbles instead . You have to love entirely pointless meals

Merkin

Looks like GREAT fun!

fitzcoff

Have decided to cook a full Sunday dinner for my family today. They are due here fir half two but I'm up now putting pork shoulder in the oven. Then back to bed and fingers crossed it'll be ate.

The Black Oil

Countryfile piglets! :cool:

leahyl

MissFlitworth wrote: »

The Westin in Dublin. They had a bit of a mad Afternoon Tea apart from the traditional one we got that came with a gin mojito in a tea pot but was there with a buddy who's adverse to gin so we went for the bubbles instead . You have to love entirely pointless meals

Was there in January!! Very impressed! One of my friends had the peculiar afternoon tea! Those pictures look like mine :-D

I do agree though that some of it was overly sweet.

I'd also highly recommend Fota Island Resort Hotel in Cork - preferred the selection of sweet things on that :-)

foodaholic

I love afternoon tea in the westbury espically around Christmas time

MissFlitworth

<puts Fota Island on the list> Thanks for the recommendation!

They were definitely nicer than Harrods, bread was a bit stale and scones were fist sized and not great. I think my thing with Afternoon Tea is I love the look of it but when it comes down to egg sandwiches and stuff I end up a little underwhelmed every time. Which is more my fault for ordering something I know I'm not going to Love with a capital L than the fault of the tea itself

foodaholic wrote: »

I love afternoon tea in the westbury espically around Christmas time

I tried to go this Christmas and they were booked out for every single weekend in December when I called in November, it must be so lovely

leahyl

Myself and my mum just dropped into the Westbury to use the loo (as you do!) one day before Christmas and OMG it's a stunning hotel - would love to have afternoon tea there

Merkin

The Shelbourne do a fab afternoon tea, everything absolutely scrumptious!

Faith

I saw the Afternoon Tea set-up at Fota Island resort recently. It looked gorgeous! We might have to try it soon .

oscarBravo

Afternoon tea in Ashford Castle is a pleasant experience too.

Malari

Didn't realise Fota was meant to be good! Will have to try that for the next ladies who lunch occasion.

Loire

We did afternoon tea in The Four Seasons a. Few years ago and it was excellent..nicest tea I've ever drank.

Family weekend away this weekend. Last night was venison steaks (got the last ones until Sept). Tonight was buffalo burgers and BBQ chicken wings. Big fire down and vino out

Pang

Went for afternoon tea in the Westin a couple of years ago and it was whiskey themed. Very enjoyable plus I love how relaxed the Atrium is. The Westbury did a lovely chocolate tea last year that was fab.

Went to afternoon tea in the Clarence in November and it was such a let down. It was more the location than the food. The room I think was called the Study which was just off reception and there were interviews taking place in the room at the same time.

Outside of Dublin, I would recommend Mount Juliet and Monart if anyone is heading south east at any stage. Both are very good.

leahyl

Just on the subject of afternoon tea again, I went to Hayfield Manor and wasn't at all impressed. Very overrated, or maybe I just got it on a bad day, but there shouldn't be a bad day really at 25e a pop

Dubl07

leahyl wrote: »

Just on the subject of afternoon tea again, I went to Hayfield Manor and wasn't at all impressed. Very overrated, or maybe I just got it on a bad day, but there shouldn't be a bad day really at 25e a pop

Isn't €25 very inexpensive for afternoon tea? It's a lot more in Dublin IIRC.

MissFlitworth

I think in Dublin it's around 26/27 with more if you're having bubbles and lots more if you're in the Merrion. Would totally agree that if you're blowing 25pp on cake and sandwiches it has to be right

BaZmO*

I take it the recession is over?

beertons

BaZmO* wrote: »

I take it the recession is over?

No. I still make my own sambo's.

And the only time I see bubbles, is when I do the dishes.

MissFlitworth

Oh yes, afternoon tea 3 times a week, dodos eggs for breakfast, swapped the milk in my coffee for champagne

Ann Landers

leahyl wrote: »

Just on the subject of afternoon tea again, I went to Hayfield Manor and wasn't at all impressed. Very overrated, or maybe I just got it on a bad day, but there shouldn't be a bad day really at 25e a pop

I quite liked it! Though I guess it wasn't mind-blowing but it was very, very good. Loads of food too.

What kinds of items did you get in yours? Just to see if yours and mine where comparable.

Malari

leahyl wrote: »

Just on the subject of afternoon tea again, I went to Hayfield Manor and wasn't at all impressed. Very overrated, or maybe I just got it on a bad day, but there shouldn't be a bad day really at 25e a pop

I wasn't that impressed with Hayfield either, but that could have been because I'd had tea in Aghadoe Heights the week before and it was so much better!

The Hill Billy

I made a goulash yesterday for our dinner today. I messed up used cayenne pepper instead of paprika (similar tins on same shelf, in a rush, etc...) & now have tomatoey beef stew rocket fuel. Any ideas for how to save it other than adding a gallon of natural yogurt?

beertons

The Hill Billy wrote: »

I made a goulash yesterday for our dinner today. I messed up used cayenne pepper instead of paprika (similar tins on same shelf, in a rush, etc...) & now have tomatoey beef stew rocket fuel. Any ideas for how to save it other than adding a gallon of natural yogurt?

Yum. Either man up and hope for the best. Or plate up at 3, when about 10-15 of us will be around to help you dispose of it.

Seriously though, just put a small bowl of yougart on the table, and let people add as they wish.

Mrs Fox

The Hill Billy wrote: »

I made a goulash yesterday for our dinner today. I messed up used cayenne pepper instead of paprika (similar tins on same shelf, in a rush, etc...) & now have tomatoey beef stew rocket fuel. Any ideas for how to save it other than adding a gallon of natural yogurt?

Add potatoes in, it'll soak up the heat and unfortunately some of the flavours too, but it'll tone the heat down.

Mrs Fox

Malari wrote: »

I wasn't that impressed with Hayfield either, but that could have been because I'd had tea in Aghadoe Heights the week before and it was so much better!

Aghadoe Height's afternoon tea is impressive.
Was at Westin's one Mother's Day a few years ago. It was ok.
Shelbourne one is class.
I'd love to know if anyone has tried Adare Manor's.

The Hill Billy

Ah, it is Mrs Billy & The Kids who would find it waaaaay to hot. Will try the yogurt though.

@Mrs Fox - I think that the potato thing is used for absorbing excess salt.

Cheers all!

Mrs Fox

The Hill Billy wrote: »

@Mrs Fox - I think that the potato thing is used for absorbing excess salt.

Works for spicy dish too from my experience.

The Black Oil

beertons wrote: »

And the only time I see bubbles, is when I do the dishes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUULPrHNHZU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_LaVvSIT_8

Come on, who doesn't remember these? :pac: