Palm Court, The Balmoral

Just got home at 10 pm after a very long afternoon and evening in Edinburgh, but it was well worth the journey!  The second part of the gift from our daughter and son-in-law was a Champagne Afternoon Tea at The Balmoral in Princes Street:-)  What a superb treat!

The setting is lovely in the Palm Court with a harpist playing gentle classical music from the gallery.  The staff are amazing and everyone from the receptionist to the waiting staff congratulated us on our special anniversary.  They had noted that detail from the wording on the gift voucher:-)

The food was delicious, from the "amuse bouche" of a dinky plate of celery and almond soup, via the savoury selection including a haggis bonbon with apricot coulis, then the scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam and finished off with a trio of sublime mini desserts served on a decorated platter each (see Extra).  All washed down with two pots of tea each from their huge Tea Menu selection!  Plus that lovely glass of champagne to make the occasion really special.

However, just when we thought that was it, there was another surprise with a final gift of a miniature tin of Balmoral Tea and a boxed square of their "signature caramel square" each to take home as a souvenir, along with a final refreshing mini cone of berry sorbet.  They really know how to spoil you:-)

We waddled out of the hotel full to the brim and meandered along Princes Street, popping in and out of the shops to admire the Christmas displays and eventually ending back at the bus station for our transport home.  The Megabus was a bit of a comedown after all that luxury:-)

We promised to return for our 60th Anniversary should we make it that far!!