3 TIERS OF TEMPTATION AFTERNOON TEA IN THE AMBER LOUNGE Following a tip-off, I called to the Fota Island Hotel http://www.fotaisland.ie/ last Friday to sample their Afternoon Tea. Now, I’m passing on that tip. If you want to treat yourself and your loved one, maybe a pal or a visiting relative, then make a beeline for the Fota Resort and call to the Amber Lounge. You will be met at the door of the hotel and guided to the lounge and the helpful, friendly and informative staff there will take over, seating you and laying down the table covers, as this is something special. First comes your tea or coffee. We had tea, well made, and each of us had a separate pot. Then there is a gasp as the three tiered cake stand holding your goodies arrives at the table. Let us start at the bottom. Here we have some beautiful Irish breads, topped with the best of beef, an egg mixture and also gorgeous smoked salmon on a well made slice of brown bread. All six pieces freshly done, all magnificent. After a suitable pause, we move up to the second rank. Here, to share, we have a brown scone and a fruit scone, both warm and polished off with the butter, home-made real fruit jam and clotted cream. Then three slices of cake for sharing. On Friday, we enjoyed Walnut, Banana and a superb Madeira. More tea poured and we are ready to onto to the top rung of temptation: melt slowly in the mouth Jameson Truffle, irresistible Raspberry Mille-feuille, also a splendid Strawberry “cup”, and a classy Irish Coffee Chocolate Mousse, all the creations of their Executive Pastry Chef Rachid http://www.fotaisland.ie/recipes.php . Now you are full and you say Never Again. But you know you will be back. You’re hooked. How sweet it is! Afternoon Tea (for 2 people) €25.00 A selection of Open Sandwiches on Irish Breads, Warm Scones, Tea Cakes, Jameson Truffle, Raspberry Mille-feuille, Irish Coffee Chocolate Mousse, Seasonal Preserve and Clotted Cream. Served with your choice of Tea or Coffee

Although this is a 5 star hotel, and you would expect it be expensive, but in this climate that we are in in the minute, I thought that they wouldn't have the prices that they have. The food is really nice, but i did find the staff rude,waiting to pounce and take the plates away before we were finished. I would go back, but only as a treat, as i found the staff a little rude and a little over pricey..

The Amber Lounge looks and feels very comfortable and it seemed like a perfect place for meeting a few friends and catching up. Four of us had the afternoon tea on the menu which was nicely presented and very tasty. The service was however a bit snappy and we felt like it wasn't a place where the staff want you to 'lounge' as they kept looking at our table to see if we were finished. When we asked for more teas and coffees they took a while to come and the waiter tried to clear some of the food from our table without asking and which we were not finished with. It is a nice location with lovely food but it's a pity about the service.