The vibrant city of Liverpool, as famous for being the home of The Beatles and Cavern Club as it is for it's maritime history - most poignantly acting as headquarters of RMS Titanic White Star Line, in what is now a Grade II listed building situated on the corner of James Street and The Strand.
Just a short walk away from the waterfront, where you'll find the Royal Albert Dock and Maritime Museum - showcasing more about the city's links with the ill-fated ship, 30 James Street has undergone a number of renovations and is now a Titanic- themed hotel. It boasts a grand ballroom, bedrooms, spa and the 7th floor Carpathia Rooftop Champagne Bar & Restaurant, which was to be our venue for a Champagne Afternoon Tea.
Ambiance
Stepping out of the lift, even before you enter the restaurant, you can't help but notice the Titanic inspired decor - alongside the more obvious references in the form of framed photographs and information, you'll also notice the port holed doors bearing the name of another famous Liverpool shipping company.
As you pass through the doors, the restaurant attempts to portray the opulence of First Class Travel reminiscent of the Titanic era with stone tiled flooring, exposed brickwork, ornate mirrors, leather chairs and fairy light adorned steel beams. The overall effect is as elegant as you would wish for an afternoon tea, without feeling overly stuffy - made even more welcoming by the wonderfully warm greeting we were given as we were shown to our table.
Food & Drink
Upon being seated, we were immediately offered a choice of coffee or tea. Unlike many other afternoon tea venues, there was only one type of tea - traditional English, served, which we were more than happy with. We ordered both types of hot drinks, which were continually topped up along with fresh milk provided throughout the afternoon.
As we'd opted for the champagne afternoon tea, we were asked whether we would like our fizz during or after our food, which was a nice touch.
Our server checked we were happy with everything listed on the menu before the stands were brought to our table - each one to be shared between 2 people:
The sandwiches and cakes were delicious. The bread of the sandwiches was extremely fresh, with plenty of filling and large enough to satisfy. Our personal favourite was the Cheshire ham with onion mayonnaise.
The scones were a good size - not so large they filled us up too much, but big enough to enjoy with the individual mini pots of jam and the nicely decorated fresh cream.
Most impressive was the selection of cakes. It was refreshing to have a wide variety - including sponge, macaron, tart, and a couple of others which are hard to describe but simply wonderful. The chocolate tart with salted caramel tasted divine, and the strawberry and pistachio entremet was equally scrumptious. The presentation of some cakes was as delightful as the flavours.
Service
Along with the great food came absolutely excellent service. From the moment we arrived, every member of staff was friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond what you would expect.
Our initial server, Wendy, consistently made sure we had everything we needed, and even brought out an extra treat to acknowledge the special occasion we were there to celebrate. When she was due to finish her shift, Wendy came over to say goodbye and introduced us to the lovely Terrianne, who then looked after us for the rest of the afternoon.
Although we were there for afternoon tea, Terrianne even reserved us a table in the small bar area, located next to the restaurant, so we could transfer into there to enjoy the rest of our second bottle of champagne, as our table was required for the evening meal service.
Cost / Value for Money
At just £19.95 for the classic afternoon tea, with an added glass of champagne costing £5 extra, we deemed the price extremely reasonable - considering the surroundings, service and, of course, the excellent quality of the food.
Pros:
Wonderful setting, fantastic service, perfect amount of delicious sandwiches and cakes, value for money, ability to stay for as long as you wish within the restaurant and bar
Cons:
Lack of tea choice may be an issue for some guests
Star Rating: 
(5 / 5)
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The whole combination of wonderful food and outstanding service made for a thoroughly enjoyable experience at Carpathia Champagne Bar & Restaurant, which deserves every one of the 5 stars given. We would highly recommend a visit if you're planning a trip to Liverpool, and we'll certainly be returning again..
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