We take a trip to The Westbury
The lights have been switched on in Dublin city, the weather has gotten colder and there are only four weekends left until Christmas, yes, it's definitely time to get festive.
One of my most treasured memories from childhood was the annual family expedition 'into town' to see the Christmas lights, go for dinner and then off to see the Gaiety panto. Now with a child of my own, I have tried to recreate some of my treasured memories for her.
The Westbury is my favourite hotel in Dublin. It is nestled in the heart of Dublin’s premier shopping district and it exudes luxury and elegance from the moment you arrive. It is especially beautiful at Christmas time when their decorations adorn the hotel and the nutcracker theme this year will appeal both to the young and old.
General Manager at The Westbury, Vincent O’Gorman described how Christmas is a particularly special time of year for the hotel, “The Westbury has a tradition of delivering the very best service to our customers. During Christmas our team brings the festive atmosphere to life to delight our guests in everything that we do, from our famous Christmas tree and the beautiful floral displays, to our Festive Afternoon Tea and all of the little extra details to make our guests feel particularly special”.
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I was already a fan of indulging in Afternoon Tea in their stunning Gallery, but when I was kindly invited to try their Festive offering, it was the perfect opportunity to have a mother daughter Christmas day out.
The pastry team, led by Rey Encarnacion, was inspired by traditional Christmas treats, childhood memories and delicious flavours to create a divine seasonal menu. Guests can enjoy a selection of desserts including a flavorsome Black Forest Yule Log, Praline Chocolate Éclair, a scrumptious Chestnut Cheesecake served with Matcha, a delicious Winter Berry Parfait complete with Meringue Snow and a luscious Mandarin Tart served with a Mulled Wine Ganache.
An array of savory delicacies with a touch of Christmas taste, such as; honey-baked Limerick ham with sundried tomato relish on malt harvest, smoked turkey breast salad with a cranberry chutney on a brioche roll, the delectable truffled egg salad on milk pan and the oak smoked salmon and crab with lemon aioli on homemade soda bread bring this festive treat together. Every bite was delicious and I highly recommend that you try their Orange Ginger Chai and Whiskey Cream Teas. Both of which evoked Christmas for me at the very first sip.
You can even turn your Afternoon Tea into an Enchanting Pantomime Experience should you wish. They hotel offers a package for two adults and two children, which includes special surprises for the children in their room, and tickets for The Gaiety's Robin Hood Pantomime. There is also a children's version of the Afternoon Tea.
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Happy and full, my mini me and I headed out into the cold November air to stroll under the beautiful lighting displays, past the luxurious windows of Brown Thomas, and then home to a roaring fire. But the best part of it all was simply having one on one time with her. Yes, another magical memory for me to bank.
The Festive Afternoon Tea will be available from November 14th until January 7th 2017. Advance bookings are advised and can be made directly through the hotel on +353 1 646 3311. For more information go to http://www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel
