Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2010 | Page 141

food

Island Life - April/May 2010

Tea for
two

When the boss invites YOU to take HIS

delicacies to tickle every taste bud, made

afternoon, and myself. “We have people

wife out for afternoon tea, you have

to perfection from local produce wherever

from all over the Island calling in for

to make sure the venue is going to be

possible.

afternoon tea, and it is proving very

special. After all, how else would you be
expected to treat such a lady?
Sure enough, afternoon tea amid

Now the Royal Hotel hopes to further
complement this mid-afternoon treat by

popular,” he explained.
Steve arrived on the Island after working

growing their own strawberries while

for 15 years in Basingstoke, and says: “I

the opulent surroundings of the Royal

continuing their search for other local

simply fell in love with the place.”

Hotel, Ventnor proved to be the perfect

produce including honey and butter.

place. From 3pm to 5pm each weekday
afternoon, preferably by appointment,

Word is getting around, as Steve
pointed out to Tanya, my partner for the

When you have sampled one of his
afternoon teas, you will simply fall in love
with his creative work of art.

and at weekends, one can indulge
oneself in a variety of choices, from the
fruit cake, toasted Belgian tea cake and
homemade biscuit tea for just £3.50 per
person through to the Champagne Tea at
£19.50 per person.
Fittingly, we chose the Royal Tea
(12.50 per person) which comprised a
mouth-watering combination of smoked
salmon and cream cheese, and cucumber
and dill crème fraiche sandwiches – with
not a crust in sight.
The scones, with clotted cream and
strawberry preserve were divine, but the
patisseries were a veritable work of art
by pastry chef Steve Bott. A selection of
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