A Welcome Escape During the Summer Holidays
On what felt like day 2873 of the summer holidays, my husband and I managed to sneak away for a few hours while the kids spent the afternoon with their grandparents. It was our wedding anniversary, but between work, camping trips and family visits, we were only able to get a few child free hours away on a sunny Thursday afternoon. After a mooch around The Lanes, we made our way to Blossoms Cocktail Bar for afternoon tea. Known and loved for its creative cocktails and vibrant evening atmosphere, it felt like the perfect place to celebrate our special occasion in a slightly different way.
Afternoon Tea with a Japanese Twist
Tucked away in the heart of The Lanes, it is impossible not to fall in love with Blossoms. The décor is bright and beautiful and the staff are lovely. I’ve always associated Blossoms with its inventive cocktail menu and delicious small plates, so I was delighted to try their afternoon tea offering. Rather than simply recreating a traditional afternoon tea, Blossoms has cleverly blended British favourites with authentic Japanese flavours, creating something that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
The savoury selection offered a fantastic variety. The egg mayonnaise sandwich was beautifully seasoned and wonderfully creamy, proving that you can’t go wrong with a classic! My personal favourite, however, was the crunchy chicken katsu sandwich. The crispy coating on the chicken paired beautifully with the rich, tangy katsu sauce, making every bite incredibly satisfying. It’s one of those sandwiches you wish there was just one more of.
Alongside the sandwiches were fresh cucumber and avocado maki rolls, offering a light and refreshing contrast, while both duck and vegetable gyozas added even more authentic Japanese flavour. Served with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger, they were packed with flavour and made the afternoon tea feel far more exciting than your average finger sandwiches.
There was an excellent selection of teas to choose from, but to mark our anniversary, we decided on a glass of fizz each, which felt wonderfully indulgent for a Thursday before 5pm.
Sweet Treats Worth Saving Room For
The sweet selection continued the Japanese-inspired theme beautifully. The chocolate mochi balls were absolutely delicious, with their wonderfully soft and chewy rice flour exterior hiding a beautifully rich chocolate truffle centre. They struck the perfect balance between indulgent and delicate. The miso chocolate brownies were comforting, rich and incredibly moreish.
I had never tried Dorayaki, a Japanese treat made from two pancake like patties and traditionally sandwiched around a sweet filling. In this case, the filling brought traditional English flavours in the form of strawberry and cream. The pancakes were light and fluffy and the filling was nostalgic, a lovely nod to the traditional scone course of a classic afternoon tea while bringing something completely different to the table.
Don’t Skip the Chicken Wings
As if the afternoon tea wasn’t enough, we couldn’t resist ordering a side of the sticky soy and ginger chicken wings. We both love good chicken wings, and these were simply outstanding.
In fact, I’m still thinking about them now.
They were wonderfully meaty and juicy, with beautifully crisp skin coated in a gloriously sticky soy and ginger glaze. The salty richness of the soy sauce was perfectly balanced by the gentle warmth of the ginger, creating a sauce that clung to every bite without becoming overpowering. Fresh, flavourful and cooked to perfection, they were definitely worth ordering.
Japanese Tea Experience
Blossoms has managed to create something genuinely different with its Brighton afternoon tea. By combining classic British traditions with Japanese flavours and presentation, it offers an experience that feels fresh, fun and full of personality. I’d love to return with a group of friends, maybe to celebrate surviving the summer holidays. Only what feels like 3245 days to go!
