Gourmet Food Parlor review: Does Skerries Restaurant’s afternoon tea menu live up to its hype?

There’s nothing nicer than sitting down with a friend for a delicious afternoon tea.

I love everything about afternoon tea, from endless pots of tea to delicate sandwiches with delicious fillings, and lovely little pastries, all delicately arranged on a beautiful three-tiered stand.

When I heard Gourmet Food Parlor in Skerries was offering afternoon tea for just €20, I knew I had to check it out.

The restaurant is located in the middle of the quaint North Dublin city center and it was a bit of a trek to get there from West Dublin, but I was determined to give it a try so asked my friend and fellow journalist, Ailbhe, to join me. .

The restaurant itself is beautiful – cozy with cute interiors, and the lighting is warm and soft, giving it an intimate vibe. I asked our lovely waiter for a pot of Earl Grey, while Ailbhe asked for regular tea.

As Ailbhe received her teapot, I was a bit disappointed to receive a hot water teapot with an Earl Gray tea bag. But I kept my hopes up for the food and it looked absolutely delicious when it arrived.

The food included savory and sweet bites presented in an Instagrammable birdcage-style set of plates.

Savory treats included Cajun chicken, spinach and mozzarella wrap, honey roasted ham with Dijon mayonnaise and Swiss cheese, lettuce, cherry tomatoes on mini sourdough bread.

There was also lime and dill cream cheese, smoked Irish salmon and capers on Guinness bread, Mediterranean-inspired salami, chorizo, basil pesto and sun-dried tomatoes served on focaccia bread, and chicken and parmesan mousse with garlic aioli on crispy pancetta.

I really enjoyed the salami and chorizo ​​on focaccia bread with its really wonderful layers of flavor.

The chicken and parmesan mousse, which was served on a small slice of bread, was also delicious with its tangy flavors and chewy texture.

However, the smoked salmon and capers on Guinness bread was a bit too intense for my taste, as was the honey roasted ham on sourdough bread with its irresistible Dijon mustard flavor.

The Cajun chicken wrap was fine, although that was nothing to set it apart from anything I’ve tried elsewhere. But when your total bill comes to just €20, you can’t really complain.

After finishing the sandwiches we moved on to the sweets – which did not disappoint.

Dessert included mini scones with raspberry jelly, cream and berries, mini lemon dessert with homemade meringue, selection of macaroons and meringue topped with strawberry mousse and fresh berries.

The meringue was the best thing on the plate with its light, melt-in-the-mouth texture.

The mini lemon dessert shot was delicately flavored and paired perfectly with the citrus flavor of my Earl Grey.

The macaroons were very sweet and the filling was delicious, and the scones were gorgeous.

Overall, Ailbhe and I had mixed feelings about the whole experience.

While the food was good, it wasn’t really exceptional either. I really liked the dessert but a few savory options were a bit plain.

All in all, Gourmet Food Parlor in Skerries is a great option if you’re peckish, on a budget, and happen to be in the area.

The Afternoon Tea experience at Gourmet Food Parlor Skerries is just €20 pp with tea or coffee or €25 pp with bubbles.

Alternatively, the offer of €60 for two comes with a bottle of prosecco.

The menu is available all week from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Gourmet Food Parlor is located at 65 Church Street, Skerries, Co. Dublin.