The cakey goodness that is Patisserie Valerie dates back to 1926. Not only can we thank Belgium for their buns (careful), but also Belgian born Madam Valerie. The latter came to London on a mission to introduce fine Continental Patisserie to the English. The first Patisserie Valerie opened in Frith Street in London’s Soho. Not surprisingly, it was an instant success.
Nottingham’s own haven of self-indulgence sits nicely within the grandeur of the Council House, amongst shops, pubs and, dare I say, gyms.
The cafe offers quality cakes and patisserie, continental breakfasts, lunches, and the finest teas and coffees. I decided to be ‘a lady what lunches’ and treated the mother to a slap up afternoon tea.
First impressions – cake. It’s always the cake. The cafe window stocks a fabulous selection of tempting treats to lure you in. Seated by the rear window , we have an impressive view of, well of another table really. It would have been nice just to see the stunning architecture of the council house whilst people watching, but a table outside the cafe in the walk through to the centre of the council house is so close, you can literally see what they had for lunch!
The atmosphere is generally laid back, comfy padded chairs encourage a leisurely sip of your tea (other beverages are available) and a dainty nibble of a sandwich. Our waitress brings over our teas first. Tall fancy ornate stainless steel teapots hold our drinks. I make a mental note to dig out my teapot when I home and be all sophisticated. Next comes the food. Displayed as you would expect at these things on a three tiered stand. Sandwiches on the bottom tier (along with mini vegetsble quiches – nice touch) scones, jam and cream in the middle tier and cake on top, like a sweet flag atop an afternoon tea mountain.
We have a selection of sandwiches. Cucumber on white bread, Smoked salmon & cream cheese on brown bread, egg mayonnaise & cress on brown bread, Ham, spinach & mustard on white bread, chicken, pesto & sun-blazed tomatoes on brown bread. They’re nice enough, soft bread with flavoursome fillings, but they seem to have adopted the scrape on scrape off approach, keeping the amount to a minimum, still, must grumble because we had plenty of food to go at. A mini Victoria sandwich two 2 mini chocolate eclairs, carrot & walnut cake slice, mini mixed berry mousse slice and a double chocolate mousse slice to be precise. All of which we polished off before moving onto the scones, plain and fruit with jam and clotted cream.
They might look like mini versions when they first arrive at your table, but by the end I promise you’ll be full. The staff are obviously used to the mid afternoon malaise that follows as we waited ages for the bill, when all we wanted was to sleep off cake.
Over the years Patisserie Valerie have worked hard to achieve an international reputation, built on the quality of our products which they hand make using artisan craft bakery skills and only ever using fresh ingredients and traditional baking methods, resulting in award-winning croissants and viennoiserie. They also make their own gelato and confectionery too.
As afternoon teas go, it was enjoyable. Not the best I’ve had, let down mainly by the careful offerings on the sandwiches, but certainly not the worst. Go along and try for yourself.
Patisserie Valerie were not aware I was reviewing and we paid for our meal in full.
Afternoon tea for two is priced at £25.
By Tanya Raybould
Editor
@tanyalouiseray
