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| - (Ambiance)
The Windsor Arms is a classy gal. There are chandeliers galore, stark white tablecloths, and lace on the napkins. The foyer and tea rooms are beautiful but the rest of the joint isn't quite as nice. There are three tea rooms (beige, purple, and red) and two tea services (afternoon, $38 each and evening, $45 each - but the afternoon jumps to $45 on the weekends). We had a weekday 3.30pm seating and their site says there is a 2-hour limit but we slipped past 6pm without having to leave because the later seating wasn't too busy and the server was kind enough to let us stay. Service itself was first-rate, and unobtrusive.
(Tea and Sandwiches)
You get a choice of teas mixed especially for the Windsor Arms. I had the Chai Arms and it was divine and warming, like getting a hug from an Indian angel. My Dad tried the Earl Grey with lavender and said it tasted a little soapy towards the stronger end of the pot but I guess lavender does have that tendency. They give you an ample amount, too, coming with a hot water refresher halfway through. Everyone gets a different pot, which is cute, and each table has a different set of cups. When tea is served, three tiers of sandwiches, scones, and dessert cakes are brought out. When I saw these tiers I didn't think it would be enough for the three of us, but I was stuffed beyond belief at the end (could have had something to do with the two full pots of tea too). The sandwiches were good but not stellar, and I thought there could have been a few more varieties and a little less bread for each one. Each sandwich is actually a mini wrap with white bread which is sliced to be bite-sized. We had chicken, salmon, and asparagus. There were mini goat cheese and caramelised shallot quiches which were wonderful, because goat cheese! Only one each, though.
(Cream and Scones)
At the Windsor Arms I learned the scone must not be underestimated. I thought nothing could bring a good cream and jam down, but a bad scone can throw the flavour of the cream, and let's face it, I come to tea for the cream, jam and scones! There were plain and black currant scones, and both had a baking powdery flavour which was almost masked by the lemon juice in the dough and the icing sugar sprinkled over the tops. The cream apparently is authentic Devon cream shipped from England, but it didn't have that classic taste because of the strange scones. There is a ridiculously small amount of cream provided, and they will bring more without extra charge, but it comes with a helping of guilt too. Just give us bigger portions from the start! The bad news is they have pre-portioned bowls sitting waiting to be taken to tables so some of them are a bit dry. The mini desserts were flavour-packed and beautiful. We split each of them three ways and I'm glad we did, it would have been all too much for one person.
(Tip)
In England, you split your scone, you spread your jam on each half, then you dollop your cream over top. No jam on top! This is what I learned from living in Devon for a year. Now, you can enjoy an authentic cream tea!
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