Over the past ten years or so where I live, I’ve started to see a real change in the eateries that are on offer. Existing venues are having makeovers, Pubs are re-vamping for the better and there is an award winning restaurant right on my doorstep (sort of) There are also a plethora of coffee shops but stray away from the high street and you can find yourself a little piece of France right here in Surbiton. The French Tarte treats surbonites (a real word) to delicious freshly baked pastries, bread and coffee, our very own boulangerie. They do the most amazing chocolate brownie *drools*. They also host a supper club and do afternoon tea. It’s a bit of an all-rounder basically. Now when it comes to afternoon tea, I’d like to say that I’m a bit of a connoisseur. I’ve sampled a fair few in my time. There’s nothing quite like a load of savoury food followed by cake, washed down with a nice cup of tea or in my case, a glass of champagne. So would The French Tarte live up to my expectations?

The cute dark blue exterior houses the freshly baked pastries, cakes, bread and coffee at the front of house with the seating at the back. It’s pretty simple inside, think little French café (which it is!) but you wouldn’t come here for plush interior or views, you come here for great value food. Me and the Mr plumped for a glass of champagne each, then settled for an earl grey and mint tea. The Mr said it was the nicest earl grey he’d ever tasted. The afternoon tea came on a stand, full of beautiful colours with savouries at the bottom, sweet at the top and my oh my, it was well worth not eating since breakfast time for. We ate from the bottom up: A Mini egg & bacon brioche, cheese straws, chorizo cream-filled chop bun, smoked duck breast mushroom duxelles & truffle tarte, Tomato & mozzarella bite, brie & fig chutney brioche, YUM! After much tea downing and satisfied noise making, we moved onto the sweet: A Raspberry choux, baked chocolate taste, lemon possett coffee & hazelnut pave. There was only one thing I couldn’t finish, we polished off EVERYTHING else!! Last but not least came a simple scone each, complete with clotted cream and jam. I managed mine but the Mr was beaten. We were utterly stuffed and full of praise for what we’d just inhaled.

There were three stand out things about this afternoon tea. Firstly there wasn’t a sandwich in sight, which actually I have to say I find a tad boring. I eat sandwiches fairly often anyway for my lunch and sometimes when it comes to afternoon tea, I find them a little dry. So to have a delicious selection of titbits to eat instead was much more well received. Secondly the price is great value for what you get, £16.50 per person or £24.50 with a glass of champagne. And lastly the quality of the food, don’t be fooled by the small interior, this place is big on taste. Me and the Mr left feeling utterly satisfied. Afternoon tea is a great little getaway idea for busy parents if you can find a babysitter for two hours, as you get the feeling that you’re out to dinner and you get to enjoy some delicious food. For the price, we will be coming here again, oh and bringing the parents too.

I was invited along to The French Tarte, all words are my own.