Jenny's Tea Room - Harrogate

The Garden Patio

Jenny’s Tea Room

7 Montpellier Street

Harrogate

North Yorkshire

HG1 2TQ

Date Visited: 01 November 2013

Price: £9.00
G.F. (Gluten Free) Price: £9.00

Forget queuing for hours with the hordes gathered outside Betty’s Tea Room and head to Jenny’s Tea Room (located just round the corner) instead.  This small and quaint little tea shop is tucked away in a small courtyard just down the hill from Betty’s.  To get there just head straight down the hill, turn right into a paved shopping area and take the first left (passed a garden shop) to find Jenny’s Tea Room.  It is very easy to find, but they do have a billboard up to direct you so you shouldn’t get lost.

Inside the cosy tearoom

I have been to this tea room a few times in the past but I’ve never had afternoon tea here. On the day we chose to visit the weather was horrible, raining and windy so it was nice to enter the little cafe where it was warm and friendly.  There are also a few tables outside the café for you to sit out on sunnier days but sadly that wasn’t an option for us this time. I would recommend a visit here in the summer though – sitting out in the traffic free courtyard amongst the patio plants with a pot of tea and a cake…ahh it’s bliss!

Inside, the cafe is very cosy with only seven small round tables so it is probably wise to book ahead to make sure you get a table, as it is quite a popular little haunt. The menu is quite extensive and there is a choice of soups (which are gluten free!), salads, sandwiches, panini’s and jacket potatoes. Then, of course, there is also afternoon tea which is served between 3.00 and 5.00pm.  My guest and I decided to have the afternoon tea (surprise, surprise!).  There was a good choice of fillings for the sandwiches, which were served on either white or brown bread, including ham, salmon and cucumber, egg mayonnaise, cheese and tomato and tuna with mayonnaise.  We were given the choice of one sandwich filling each, so I opted for the salmon and cucumber (my favourite) and my guest chose egg mayonnaise. I think this is the only tearoom I have ever been to where they actually serve tinned salmon!  I much prefer it to the fresh salmon which I can’t really stomach!  We shared the sandwiches, which were garnished with salad, between us to have a bit more variety. They were delicious and the bread was lovely and fresh. The fresh fruit scones, served with strawberry jam and fresh cream and garnished with strawberries and blueberries, were equally delicious.

The delicious scones

                
















For the other cakes, we were given the option to choose our own which was rather nice as they are usually pre-selected for you and it’s always disappointing when you find yourself presented with something you don’t like. The choices comprised of lemon drizzle, chocolate cake, Victoria sponge or carrot cake.  Luckily we shared similar tastes so we were both happy to go with the carrot cake. We were also offered an additional choice of a chocolate brownie or a piece of flapjack – we opted for the flapjack.  All of the cakes are baked fresh in the cafe and they have a different selection each day.  Unfortunately, we found the carrot cake a little disappointing.  It wasn’t like the traditional, lightly coloured carrot cake, but rather a dark colour (like Parkin) and it was very dry.  The flapjack, however, more than made up for this.

Gluten Free Sandwich

My gluten free guest chose an egg mayonnaise sandwich which was served on a brown toasted bread roll, garnished with salad. We were a little dubious as to what the bread would be like as they informed us it was from frozen, but it actually turned out to be very good!  They do also serve a gluten free afternoon tea but it is preferred that you ring to give them notice, that way they can ensure they have all the things in ready.  We all chose the English Breakfast tea (I know, I know, we always go for that!) which was refilled for us on request.  I particularly like the china tea cups which they served the tea in (very traditional!), but these cups are obviously exclusive to guests who opt for afternoon tea as my gluten free guest was given a rather sturdy looking porcelain cup instead!  You get the best of the best if you go for afternoon tea here!

                

All in all it was a very nice afternoon tea, which was very good value for money at only £9 each.  The staff were very friendly and the service was good. The only drawback I can think of was that you could only choose one sandwich filling and one cake each which had to be the same as the person you were dining with – just a minor detail really, but it could be a problem if you don’t like the same things!  
Also don’t plan your visit on a Sunday as they are closed!

Ratings:                        Gluten Free:

Tea: 7/10                                   

Sandwiches:  9/10                   8/10

Cakes: 8/10                              

Scones: 8/10                           

Service: 9/10

Overall:  9/10

Would I return?   Yes definitely