FoodPassions.co.uk

Venue: Take It To The Table, 127 High Street, Cranleigh, GU6 8AU
Score: 6/10
Food: Coffee and Cakes
Group: 4 adults
Date: 23rd November 2008 AM

Always good to go into a coffee shop that provides something that is individual. Its clear that the owner is trying. The coffee is great although if you order a croisant or the like which needs to be warmed your food goes on some trip up and down stairs to the dreaded microwave. The service is friendly although lacks any distinction as we had a young waitress who was pleasant enough but would not stand out from any of the customers.

A nice touch is the availability of a chess game which is good to see others play.

Improvement Opportunities:

1. Why not provide a small jug of water when guests first sit down – like you get all over Europe
2. Do away with the microwave to reheat food
3. Provide the waiting staff with uniforms even if its a simple apron.

Conclusion

A relaxed place to have morning coffee and to date the nearest thing Cranleigh has to offer for a European Cafe experience. Lets hope that it maintains some consistency.

If you have been to Take It to the Table then please let us know what you think

Venue:  Angel Hotel, Guildford, Surrey
Score:   7/10
Food:    Afternoon Tea
Group:  5 adults
Date:     21st November 2008 PM
Spend:   £34.50

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday we had the terrible disappointment of sitting in Harrods having afternoon tea, and today having made the same order at the Angel Hotel in Guildford, we were very pleased with our experience.

We ordered 2 cream teas, 2 prawn sandwich teas, 1 lamb sandwich, 3 pots of Earl Grey and a pot of coffee.

Service was professional with waiters and waitresses dressed accordingly. The environment is relaxed with low sofas and tables set in a very comfortable panelled lounge area. It is warm quiet and friendly.

Improvement Opportunities:

1. The toilets have one towel to dry your hands on – totally inappropriate
2. There are two fires which are gas coal effect and neither was lit, despite it being the time of year when this should happen
3. The bread for the sandwiches was the cheap sliced variety, although fresh and pleasant.
4. Because we have eaten there before, we know that it is not consistent. You can get something one time and not the other.

Conclusion

We would definitely go back to the Angel Hotel as it offers a warm refuge that is reasonably priced in the centre of Guildford. The service is professional and courteous and the place is clean.

If you have been to the Angel Hotel then please let us know what you think.

Venue:  Georgian Restaurant, 3rd Floor Harrods, Knightsbridge, London 
Score:   3/10
Food:    Afternoon Tea
Group:  5 adults
Date:     20th November 2008 PM

Probably one of the UK’s flagship establishments offered very little in the way of exceeding the customers expectations. We were a party of 5 all meeting up for a special occassion wanting to get into the Xmas spirit experiencing what should be one of the UK’s finest establishments. We arrived about 14:30 and on Thursday 20th November 2008 and only wanted an afternoon cream tea. In essence we were very disappointed.

Improvement Opportunities:

1. China plates were worn and showing clear signs of dishwasher fatigue
2. The jam for the scones although in a Harrods labelled jar was clearly mass produced much like the sort of thing you would get at some cheap seaside resort
3. The scones were cold which gave the impression they were not fresh
4. The furniture was tatty at best and extremely dated
5. The tea was served in a stainless steel pot with no extra hot water to dilute or add as required
6. Butter was served in little mass produced tubs that were presented with their lids taken off
7. There was only one tiny pot of jam for two scones
8. Main food hall was dated and felt cold lacking intimacy and character.

Conclusion

Would not recommend going there which is a great shame as Harrods has such amazing international appeal.

If you have been to Georgian Restaurant then please let us know what you think