Since Luke and I moved into the new house I seem to be busier doing everything other than sorting out the house. Four weeks in and we still have a few boxes dotted around and rooms with stripped back walls waiting for some attention. One ‘other thing’ I have been getting up to was planning a lovely visit for my best friend which included an afternoon of High Tea at Jolyons at No 10 in Cardiff.
Jolyons at No 10 is a four star, boutique hotel located not too far from Cardiff City Centre. Since launching in 2011, Joylon’s at No 10 has been ‘treating guests to sheer luxury accommodation’ as well as food and drinks in restaurant come bar, Cwtch Mawr.
Despite being a particularly rainy day in South Wales my friend and I boarded the train and headed for Joylons. I must say I was particularly looking forward to a scone! The scone can be a making or breaking of an afternoon tea in my opinion.
Image: tripadvisor.co.uk
On arrival we were greeted by a lovely gentleman from behind the bar who showed us to our seats beside the window. The whole feel of the place was very ‘boutiquey’ and shabby chic as we sat on throne style and quirky coloured chairs at our table. The distressed floor boards and beautiful fire place really gave the place a unique but welcoming feel.
We had pre-booked High Tea which was accompanied with a glass of either white or pink processo (a deal we got on Living social). After selecting our pink Prosecco we very soon there-after heard the pop of a bubbly bottle from behind the bar over out chat and minutes later we were presented with our drinks alongside our cake stand of High Tea treats.
The High Tea at Jolyons looked delicious to begin with but in what seemed to be true style of Joylon’s with unique differences. The bottom layer was the traditional sandwiches filled with salmon, cucumber and cheese on varying white and brown bread. The middle was filled with two giant home-made scones, jam and clotted cream alongside four small pieces of ooey-gooey chocolate brownie and two squares of ginger cake. Finally the top layer held two homemade welsh cakes and two shot glasses filled with jelly and cream, topped with sprinkles (this was the unusual addition.)
Instead of going into detail on each and every item I can say that collectively everything was delicious, that being said I feel like the scone needs a special mention for being extra delicious and the little jelly shot glass was unusual, we were not sure how we felt about it but needless to say it went down easy enough!
I felt that as well as the High Tea being great, the thing I really enjoyed about Joylons was the chilled out and relaxed atmosphere. Being a Saturday afternoon there was a steady flow of people coming and going from both the hotel as well as people having food and drinks though we never felt rushed or pushed for time, instead really relaxed and welcomed.
So who wouldn’t stay for a while longer in this atmosphere? And with us both thinking the same we polished off our High Tea, ordered another bottle of pink Prosecco from the bar, settled ourselves into our comfy chairs even more than we already had and spent the next couple of hours avoiding the rain in Jolyon’s No 10.
