On the top floor of the Wellcome Collection is the Wellcome Kitchen. Spacious, clean and comfortable seating with cushions makes up the teal green restaurant area. There is soft music in the background and the whole atmosphere feels very calming, tranquil and relaxing. It doesn’t feel that you are in a museum cafe.
Large windows let in lots of light. The walls are decorated with items from the Wellcome Collection. The exhibits of the Wellcome Collection are also displayed in the restaurant area. The dining area is starts off with a small area which then opens out into a larger room at the back end of the restaurant.
Loose tea of elderflower and lemon came in a beautifully decorated floral teapot and a matching teacup and saucer. The tea had a delicate elderflower flavour with a slight hint of lemon.
The Wellcome Kitchen allows you to choose your finger sandwiches and petit fours so you can get the variety you want. The coronation chicken sandwich was on brown bread. It had lots of chicken and the levels of the curry flavour was just right. The free range egg mayonnaise had a good chunky texture and was not mushy. It came with watercress. The bread was super soft.
Thick sliced mature cheddar cheese was in between white bread. The classic cucumber sandwich had a slight twist to it as it was served with creme fraiche and mint. A refreshing combination with the thick creamy creme fraiche. Quality Wiltshire ham combined well with the mustard in the final of the finger sandwiches.
Both the fruit and plain scones looked rustic, homemade and were served warm. A scoop of clotted cream was served in a dish. The strawberry preserve was Tiptree and came in its individual jar. The scones were absolutely delicious and fresh. They were slightly crumbly and were perfect with the lashings of clotted cream and jam.
Four petit fours were on the top tier of the Wellcome Kitchen Afternoon Tea. The rhubarb bakewell had pieces of rhubarb in its compote, topping the light almond tart. Thick double cream was topped with blackberries, raspberries and blueberries for the berry tart. Both tarts had a good pastry. It was surprising to have the fruit tart filled with cream instead of the regular creme patissiere.
Rich white chocolate with coconut and pistachio was a chocolaty truffle treat. The red velvet cake had a light chocolate flavour and had the cream cheese topping.
The staff were really friendly, lovely and gave service with a smile. They were more than happy to give extra refills of the tea. The staff were not intrusive but they were efficient.
Service was good to start with as this was when the cafe was quiet. But as soon as it got busy, the Wellcome Kitchen lost a fair few customers due to slow service. Many tables were waiting over 10 to 15 minutes for a pot of tea.
Afternoon Tea at the Wellcome Kitchen was an absolute delight. It felt like it was a special occasion and a treat. The food was of a high standard. Before you leave, take the chance to see the wonderful Reading Room and the interesting exhibitions on offer at the Wellcome Collection.
Wellcome Kitchen, Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE
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