Cafe Rouge had a European feel to it. There was the classic red and dark wooden theme with big etched mirrors on the wall. Huge windows could be opened on a hot day and hence there would be plenty of fresh air coming into the restaurant. The dining section extended to the back and there was a bar area near the entrance.
The staff were so friendly. They provided us with a relaxing time by not rushing or bothering us after we had been served. It felt that we could really take our time at the restaurant. The staff were accommodating with regards to the separate dietary and food restrictions.
The Afternoon Tea at Cafe Rouge is a substantial and filling one. Earl Grey tea started off the afternoon. Soya milk was offered as the dairy free alternative. Fresh tea refills were given once our pots had finished.
The French twist to the Cafe Rouge Afternoon Tea was that instead of finger sandwiches, Croque Monsieur was the speciality for the savoury layer. The vegetarian version of this toasted sandwich was made with mushrooms, cheddar cheese and bechamel sauce. The Croque Monsieur was topped with Emmental cheese. The sandwiches were cut into quarters. There was a slight tang to the sandwich. This version of the Croque Monsieur was a good combination of flavours. Rich cheeses with a creamy sauce had the added depth of flavour from the mushrooms.
Scones are a must for the Afternoon Tea. These fruit scones were nice enough and were of a good size. They came with an individual pot of Bonne Maman jam, a dish of whipped cream and sliced strawberries.
The top tier was the amazing and delicious cake slices. There was chocolate heaven with the Mousse au Chocolat. This rich chocolate mousse was made with Valrhona chocolate and came in its own ramekin. The lemon and poppy cake was light and fluffy. The carrot cake had a strong cinnamon flavour. There was the added crunch due to the walnuts and pumpkin seeds in this cake.
Another chocolate slice was the chocolate, raspberry and coconut cake. This slice was quite dense but the fruity notes came through. The red velvet cake was a favourite with its layers of the chocolate and cream cheese.
Cafe Rouge provided us with a delightful Afternoon Tea and all of its savoury and sweet treats were thoroughly enjoyed.
Cafe Rouge, 11 Little Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX1 2HP
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