I love high tea. It's one of my favorite things, and I really miss my monthly "Tea Ladies" group in Chicago. While in Haarlem, I passed not one, but THREE different places advertising afternoon/high tea. I got really excited. I went into the first place(not Crepe Affaire), which had a sign outside saying they offered high tea only to be met with resistance.
Dallas: "Hi, I saw you offered high tea and would love the tea service for two please"
Dude at counter: "Um, do you have a reservation for tea? Cause we only do it with reservations, but I guess we could do it for you but it will take like 30-40 minutes"
Dallas: "Oh, okay we can wait."
Dude: Blah blah random excuses-- I dunno I stopped listening and said nevermind.
We walked to the next place, Crepe Affaire, and asked for high tea. The girl at the counter said normally they require reservations, but they'd happily provide tea for us. The service here was fantastic! The high tea came with two delicious savory crepes which was an added treat. On the day I was there it was a Mexican chicken crepe (damn delicious), a pesto mozerella crepe, a selection of cakes, fresh squeezed orange juice, unlimited tea, and parfait. I may be leaving out some things, but I posted a picture as well. It was a massive selection and it was all so good. While not a traditional high tea, it was still one of the best I've had--especially for the price of around 18EUR p.p. as high tea is usually $30-65p.p. depending on where you go ( it can get really fancy, I'm talking about you Four Seasons, Peninsula,Ritz!)
I have two notes to add to this review--
1. Don't advertise high tea if you don't readily provide the service. Put an asterisk saying " with reservation only" if that's the case, otherwise people like me will walk in and ask for what you're adverstising outside.
2. Anybody wanna start a Tea Ladies here? Let's make it happen! read more