THE DOME

The Dome from George St

Chandelier and decorations in entrance hall

Last Thursday I treated my friend Maria to afternoon tea at The Dome in George Street.  They only serve them in November and December and they do not take reservations.  There is usually a queue so you must judge for yourselves how long you want to wait.  We missed out last December so I was really looking forward to going this year.

Huge Tree in Bar

The Dome looked fabulous, they always have lovely decorations but this year they have surpassed themselves! Go in and have a look, the friendly concierges do not mind.  They even got the smell Christmassy.  Cinnamon pervades the entrance hall but does not affect the eating areas.

The teas are served upstairs in one of the function suites.  Three vast rooms joined together make a palatial space.  There are crystal chandeliers and wall lights and Christmas wreaths on every wall.  All of the vast windows have luxurious lined velvet curtains and a Christmas tree in each.  The marble fireplace nearest us was lavishly dressed with pine boughs, baubles and other decorations.  There were cute seasonal table centres too.  A giant Christmas tree was visible down the other end of the room.

TheTearoom

The waiting staff was dressed in 1920s style white crossover jackets and black trousers.  First they brought in little pots of Twinning’s English breakfast tea, then a massive cake stand.  We had 4 finger sandwiches each, ham and mustard, roast beef and horseradish sauce, salmon, cucumber and cream cheese and finally egg and cress.  The second tier was fruit scones, jam and a choice of cream, clotted and whipped.  Plain scones were available too.  On the top tier were 6 mini treats, a coffee and chocolate cake, carrot cake, a mixed fruit tart, a mincemeat pie, a white chocolate cheesecake and a macaroon.   Unfortunately by the time we had eaten our way to this layer we were too full to eat them all.  I had the macaroon and a tiny piece of each of the others and they were all sublime. You can have another pot of tea gratis but after that you pay.  I had an extra pot which was only £1.90.  The afternoon tea itself is £24.00 for 2.

The ladies loos had many stalls were clean and spacious.  It too had a Christmas tree!

There were a great many ladies of all nationalities enjoying one of our great national traditions.   There were some young Japanese girls in the corner and we were seated next to a group of ladies from Swansea.  They were speaking Welsh at first and I couldn’t recognise the language but when they started speaking English their accent was unmistakeable.  We got talking to them later and they were very impressed with both the tea and Susan Boyle, who they met at the entrance.

The whole experience was great.  I think I am going to make it a Christmas tradition!

The Dome

14 George Street, Edinburgh

EH2 2PF

0131 624 8624

www.thedomeedinburgh.com