Come dine with me

Well what a day I had yesterday. Before I share with you my birthday treat I would like to thank you all  for the birthday wishes you left for me on my last post. I enjoyed reading every single one of them. It really is great to have such kindness from my blogging friends scattered all over this, not so small now, world of ours.

So this is how I celebrated my birthday yesterday. I woke up and opened some lovely cards and presents and then needed to get ready promptly as my dear Hb had booked a table for us to have lunch at none other than Claridges in London. I do like taking you with me on my trips so I took my trusty camera with me so that I could share my day with you all.

Claridges is such an iconic hotel. It really is London's Art Deco jewel. It is also not as "stuffy" as places like the Ritz or the Savoy...I really think it is my favourite hotel in London.

Last year for my birthday I was treated to afternoon tea here which is such an experience, in my opinion it is the best place to do this in London. This year my Hb decided to book us for lunch in the restaurant.

The hotel is just off Bond Street very near to the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street but it is such a peaceful place. The decor inside is pure Art Deco. Everywhere you look takes you straight back to the times of the 1930s.

Here is the entrance hall with the revolving doors.

Everywhere is so light and full of glorious glass pieces and mirrors.

This is the bar and the ornate staircase which also leads out to the cloakrooms.

There were fresh cut flowers everywhere you looked.







There were even flowers at the entrance to the cloakroom/ladies.

Here is the room where afternoon tea is served

Just look at the roses in the centre....the most wonderful white flowers.

This is a close up of them. We had to walk through this room to get to the restaurant.

When we arrived in the restaurant we were shown to our table. The atmosphere was very relaxed even though within an hour every single table was filled.
This is the view from our table, note my Bellini cocktail sitting on our table (my favourite cocktail) and yes they really do give you an iPad to choose your drinks from...no paper wine meu is used. Every table was decorated with glorious orchids.

                                               All the ceiling lights have silk shades

                                                                        More glass

And more glorious mirrors.

We had a 3 course lunch which was so delicious that I had eaten it before I thought of taking any photos. The service was also exemplary, just the right amount of attention was given to us. At the end of the meal this was brought over to me which I thought was a lovely touch

And, as I promised I said I would, I raised my glass to you all, my blogger friends, as I celebrated my birthday.

Cheers everyone! Thanks for joining me for my birthday. I have reached my half century and ...I'm not out!

Tomorrow is my long awaited family and friends birthday lunch and I shall be back some time next week to share the last of my celebrations with you.

Bye for now,

Jane x