Champagne Tea

Afternoon tea has always been a favorite of mine, whether it be in London, Boston, or Galway. I don’t go to tea nearly often enough, but I definitely have a list of teas that are must-tries on my life list.

Earlier this week, we intended to spend a balmy day wandering around Galway city. But, as it is in Ireland, and you can see four seasons in a day, the second we got into town, chilly rain started pelting our faces. On my long run earlier in the day, I had passed a sign for afternoon tea in the historic Hotel Meyrick in Eyre Square, and tea sounded like the perfect escape from the stormy spell.

The Hotel Meyrick is Galway’s oldest hotel and has certainly seen its share of history and famous visitors. If you have any interest, the history of the Meyrick can be found here.

Into the Meyrick’s grand entry hall we went, and we found a seat right by the fire. I am not exaggerating when I say that nearly every establishment in Ireland has at least one fire, and I love it.

The marble fireplace provided plenty of warmth and light as the day outside grew grayer and windier.

We decided to have the Champagne Tea menu, being on holiday and all. It was actually quite reasonable, only 12 Euros to add two glasses of Champagne.

Our table was quickly set with all that one needs for afternoon tea including lumps of sugar, cream, a large tea pot, delicate cups, and of course, tall, narrow flutes of bubbly.

To our delight, a tower of treats followed, the top layer bursting with strawberry custard tarts and apple cakes.

The middle layer was the lunch portion, vegetable salad sandwiches and chicken salad sandwiches, along with a colorful portion of side salad, filled me up after hours of running.

And the bottom portion was my favorite, fresh warm scones, served with a side of butter, jam, and clotted cream. As I sipped Champagne and tea, I went for the sandwiches and scones and actually left the desserts behind!

The tea was an incredibly lovely and leisurely experience. For most of the afternoon we were the only patrons at the Meyrick, and they really took excellent care of us. It was the perfect way to warm up and to prepare for more wandering around town, listening to live traditional music, and shopping before we met the rest of the family for dinner.

The Hotel Meyrick has a spa that is rumored to be very nice, and I am adding it to the list for my next visit to Galway, hopefully this summer.

The top two afternoon tea spots on my Boston list are the Taj and Upstairs on the Square. Anyone care to join me?  

Have you ever been to an afternoon tea? When it comes to your morning wake up, do you prefer tea or coffee?