Customer Reviews

Afternoon Tea Serenade (Menus and Music) (Sharon O'connor's Menus and Music)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this book! Having recipes from famous tea rooms is fantastic and fun - it's interesting to compare them. And although the book is divided into tea rooms, there's a good index in the back if you just want to look for a particular type of recipe. Plus, the beginning section contains a wonderful yet concise history of tea drinking as well as an excellent overview of different teas. The music is nice, too, but to me, the book is worth the full cost!

I found this lovely book while perusing the Amazon.com website. It serendipitiously has become a treasure book to me. The author takes one on a vicarious "tea" trip to hotels across the world and gives access to recipes from the best Chef's. All this made available while the reader is relaxed in her own home listening to the beautiful music of flute, harp,viola, violin, and the authors cello. Pour a cup of tea and experience lifes' finest. I plan to order additional copies to give as gifts to my friends, and houseguests. The historical reference to tea is of utmost interest to those who love everything about tea. Thank you Ms. O'Connor-well done.

This is the perfect book for Tea novices and afficianados alike! To have actual recipes from the cream of the crop Tea Rooms in the world is quite nice. The recipes are clear and very simple to follow and the results are fantastic! Additionally, having the history of the Tea Rooms to share with my guests is a real plus and the beautiful music from the companion CD creates such a relaxing atmosphere. I have been in the Tea business for several years, I thought I had seen it all, this set has truly been an asset in my Tea Room and has left me thoroughly impressed!

If you love having high tea or afternoon tea parties or going to them, then this book is for you. I am always looking for tea books and such, but more importantly, recipes and how/what to combine together for such activities. Friends and I had high tea at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston (one of the contributors in the book) and we had a terrific time. What we ate were recipes right from the book. And they were yummie. Remember tea parties of your own don't have to be so formal. Enjoy all the recipes and mix and match! wishing you happy tea party memories :)

This made a unique wedding shower gift for a young bride moving to England with little knowledge of their customary afternoon "High Tea". She was thrilled with my gift. The music is an exquisite accompanment to the recipes. If you want a gift that is more than just another cookbook, then this is a sure winner.

There were no colour photographs anywhere in the book, in fact no photographs at all, which was a disappointment, as I like to drool over lovely colour photography of appetising teas and cakes, it adds to the appeal of any book on this subject. (I guess it kind of made up for it with the inclusion of the cd though, which is very nice to listen to with some pleasant music).

I have to ask though, why no mention of Rose Pouchong tea? I know it is not easily obtainable now but you would expect it to be included in a book such as this one. It is my favourite tea and I mourn its passing. I guess even tea has to be dumbed down for the great British public!
Also, no mention of seed cake in the recipe sections.
So, two glaring omissions there alone, quite apart from no yummy pictures to drool over. But three stars instead of two, because you do get the cd.

This is a wonderful book and has fantastic recipes. I have tried many of them and so far they are all very good. There is a large range of variety and it is interesting to have the different famous tea rooms contribute from around the world. I have throughly enjoyed it and happy to have it in my collection of cook books.

I recently purchased this great idea! It's a cookbook, along with a CD! It's called "Afternoon Tea Serenade" by Sharon O'Connor. The author is a musician, and author, as well as a cook. Afternoon Tea Serenade is her 12th release!

The book contained within this set is great! I enjoy books that not only offer you the recipes, but also offer you history and techniques. This book tells you not only the origination of tea (the drink, that is), but also the custom of "afternoon tea". There are tips on how to choose tea, how to brew the perfect cup of tea, how to make iced tea, as well as how to make some herbal teas! She suggests how to pick suitable tea cups, and offers some suggestions as to how to throw a themed tea party, such as a Bridal Shower Tea.

The book is filled with recipes from famous tea houses in the United States, England and Ireland. Such recipes include Welsh Rarebit, Cucumber and Mint Sandwiches, as well as Barmbrack. I have tried quite a few of the recipes and they each have turned out wonderfully.

Included within this set is a CD, which contains classical music to set the atmosphere. When I listened to this CD, I felt like I was back in the late 1800s during Victorian times! Artists on this CD include Bach and Mozart. Each piece is wonderful, and I am sure you will recognizea few, if not all of the pieces!

Treat yourself, or a friend, to something special this Spring, and buy this set! Then, call over your family and friends and have yourself a tea party!

The music is very lovely, and the history and background on tea and its uses over time are somewhat interesting, but it's just a little too high-brow for me. The recipes are a little too labor-intensive.