Known as one of Britain’s most famous gourmet traditions, Afternoon Tea is always a special occasion. I always feel the want to don a pretty dress and pop on a bit of lippie.

There are so many venues now that serve up Afternoon Tea but very few are hosted in such grand surroundings as the stunning Register Club at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand.

REVIEW - AFTERNOON TEA AT REGISTERS CLUB, CHEVAL THE EDINBURGH GRAND

The Edinburgh Grand Hotel is now part of the Cheval Collection, a luxury serviced apartment operator based in London. The building was originally built in the early 1800s as a hotel but then purchased in 1825 by the National Bank of Scotland. Exotic materials were sourced from around the globe: American elm, Mexican pine, Honduran mahogany and English oak were fashioned into elaborate wood panelling and other details include etched glass panels and windows.

In 2018 The Edinburgh Grand opened revealing a beautiful and careful restoration which has been incorporated into the fabric of the new building and and every inch is impressive.

The Register Club is accessed via the hotel lobby elevator to the fourth floor which grants spectacular views across St Andrews Square but also allows you to capture great photos of the circular atrium all the way down to the lobby.

The Register Club is laid back sophistication. Let those big leather sofas hug you whilst you take sip after sip of those delectable cocktails and let the afternoon slip gently into early evening.

OR head here for a truly wonderful Afternoon Tea, drinking a perfect brew from a china cup or choose the Champagne option and let those bubbles go to your head!

The Register Club Afternoon Tea offering is new. The Traditional Afternoon Tea allows you to enjoy homemade scones with Scottish jam and sweet treats as well as a savoury selection using the finest seasonal produce from artisan suppliers across Scotland.

Afternoon teas start from £28pp, and champagne afternoon tea, which includes a glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, starts from £38pp. 

I can never wait to hit the sweet section of an Afternoon Tea, and usually eat a sandwich or two before diving into the scones and sweet treats. On this occasion, things were reversed. No traditional white bread sandwiches in sight, only a lovely platter of savouriness waiting to be eaten. This was by far my absolute favourite tier of the Afternoon Tea.

The Chestnut Mushroom, pear, feta and truffle roll was tremedously good. I wish I could buy these by the dozen. The Coronation Chicken on focaccia with pickled grapes and a poppadum was another outstanding treat.

There was also the mini BLT burger with Bloody Mary Ketchup and Hot smoked salmon gougères with crowdie mousse and chive, which I thoroughly enjoyed as the salmon was hot smoked!

Each tier of goodies are served on Ye Olde Bank Deposit Slips as a nod to its former banking glory.

On the sweet tiers we tucked into Buttermilk scones and Chocolate & Orange scones served with butter, jam and clotted cream, Salted Caramel eclairs, Macarons and Coconut & Rum chocolate truffles.

An absolute gem of a spot for Afternoon Tea. You’re looked after by the wonderful friendly staff from start to finish. Welcome back Register Club!

The Register Club, Cheval The Edinburgh Grand, 42 St Andrews Square, Edinburgh, EH2 2AD. Tel : 0131 2300571 www.chevalcollection.com

My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10

 I was invited by The Register Club to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.