Welcome to the Scone Society.
May your crusts stay cut and your Earl Grey delicate.
About Us:
Scone Society is a blog featuring comprehensive reviews of afternoon tea experiences at hotels, restaurants, cafes and tea houses all over the world. We foster an online community for afternoon tea lovers to find recommendations for their next great tea experience.
Who are we?
We are a California-based family of 3 who loves to travel. We try afternoon tea almost everywhere we go.
What do we do?
We publish a detailed narrative review for each afternoon tea experience. In addition, we grade each experience on a standardized 10-point rating scale.
Our metrics are:
Tea: First and foremost, how was the tea? Was it loose-leaf or bagged? Branded or bespoke? We consider the quality, steeping technique, variety of options, aesthetic appeal of the china, and how well the tea selection complemented the food.
Scones: Did the scones satisfy the standards of a traditional British scone? Did they strike the perfect balance of crisp on the outside and soft inside? What flavor was the second scone? How good was the clotted cream? How was the jam? How well did the scones work with the rest of the tea set?
Savory Tier: How were the tea sandwiches and other savory items? We consider quality, value, innovation and presentation. Bonus points for using different varieties of bread beyond the requisite white bread!
Sweet Tier: How were the pastries, cakes, petit fours and other delectable desserts? Did they complement the tea, and each other? Important qualities include aesthetic appeal, culinary innovation, variety and presentation.
Ambiance: This category includes both the presentation of the tea service itself, and the vibe of the surroundings. For the tea service, we consider the china, cutlery, service, and presentation of the three-tier tray. For surroundings, we consider the general atmosphere, decor, music and vibe of the restaurant, and any steps taken to transform the space to match the theme of the afternoon tea.
These five categories are scored on a simple scale from 0 to 2, with a cumulative score out of 10.
How do I join the Scone Society?
Subscribe to our Substack.
Follow us on Instagram or Tiktok.
Comment, reply and engage in discussion in the comments section. This is a great place to share your own tips and feedback on tea experiences.
Submit a guest post for publication. Send your draft to sconesociety1@gmail.com. Please use the 10-point rubric above, and be sure to include photos of your afternoon tea experience with your submission.
Society Membership Tiers:
Fellow: free subscription to receive our monthly newsletter with the latest afternoon tea reviews.
Faculty: paid membership to receive the monthly newsletter and support our endeavors.