When a heatwave hits the UK, you can overhear people say ‘It’s just so hot and humid, I can’t wait for it to rain and be cool again.’ Marching from A to B sticky and boiling, piling into roasting cars and trains, you can sympathise. Sometimes though, it feels like a special treat. The afternoon we attended Malmaison for Afternoon Tea, felt like such an occasion.

We visited the Malmaison in Liverpool, but there are multiple UK locations. The brand name comes with reassuring quality which can be seen in each hotel. The waiting on staff were helpful and informative from the beginning to the end of the experience.

Afternoon Tea is typically served in the restaurant, with airy spacious yet intimate surroundings but given the heatwave, we were given the option to dine outside on the terrace, which overlooks part of Liverpool’s Albert Dock. We took our seats in the sunshine, benefiting from the sea-salted breeze.

If ordered in advance, Malmaison can accommodate for Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan. Two of our party had the traditional offering and one had a Pescatarian Afternoon Tea.

We made our tea selections, and it was promptly served to us in teapots. First up was the savoury course. We started with the prawn cocktail, generously sized but light. The savouries were a great balance between traditional Afternoon Tea flavours, like the egg and cress roll, and exciting new flavours like the Thai sticky beef and sesame wrap. We saved the mini slider until last, and it packed a lot of flavour and was juicy and well-seasoned. The Pescatarian offering enjoyed a moreish humous with pita bread dippers as well as a delicious vegetarian slider.

Now usually we’d opt to have the scones next, but the option of having them brought out ‘when we were ready’ so that they’d arrive to the table warm was too tempting, so we hungrily started on the cakes. Our favourites included the fluffiest Victoria sponge, with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Another highlight was the calamansi lemon tart, with the perfect citrus bite with a smooth pastry base.

The sultana scones arrived last. Generously sized with just a dusting of icing sugar. They come with fresh clotted cream and jam. Is it possible to have scones without entering the cream or jam first debate? If it is, I’m yet to experience it!

Fully satiated and then some, we sat back in our comfortable seats and enjoyed the view. We were kindly given a box to put our leftover cakes and scones in. With comfortable boutique surroundings, delicious food and welcoming staff, Malmaison is the perfect location for your next Afternoon Tea.

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