Patisserie Valerie

I stopped in here for a bite to eat not fully understanding just how tough it can be to eat before or after theatre in this area. I thought I'd order Afternoon Tea but to my surprise you aren't allowed Afternoon Tea if you are an independent solo female traveler because at Patisserie Valerie they expect you to step in with a travel or dining companion and Tea is only for Two. So therefore I was not able to enjoy afternoon tea because it's for two and they don't sell the items on the Afternoon Tea menu separately so I ordered a cup of tea and scones sans the sandwiches and other bite size delights. The tea and scones were both ok. I do wish however they'd consider adjusting their menu in the future to accommodate customers who don't require another individual to accompany them on holiday or for something as simple as Afternoon Tea! Just my two cents.

Quaint little spot next to the theater where I saw War Horse. The
double chocolate ice cream was OK. The tiramisu was great.

First, this place wasn't planned. It's a tourist trap in Covent Garden that we fell right into. I mean, how could you not? There is like 30 locations on Yelp. It's funny because when we left and as we continued our adventures for the day we kept bumping into these places like, there's another one, and another one. Didn't we just pass this place? I then did a more thorough search and discovered the 30 locations haha. I thought I was going crazy for a second.
Anyways...
It was cold & rainy and we needed a cappuccino to help warm up our buns, so we walked into the first place that was on our path. I would say this is not a place I would come into normally because it's one of those places that has those desserts that look "fancy" with the jelled fruits on top of them displayed in the window, but you can tell they're just cookie cutter mass produced desserts. Look better than they taste.
I went with an almond croissant because you can't ever go wrong with that selection. Good. My sister had the pecan tart, but she wasn't impressed at all. The Coffee drinks were decent. I'm sure they have some good selections, but there are too many selections and this place didn't entice me enough to play the hit or miss game. I wouldn't come back, not because it was so bad, but because I like to support more local businesses than big franchises unless they have something that I simply cannot pass up on.

First time having tea time ever, and what a perfect place to have it! We were denied at another secret tea spot as they were full, but glad we came upon this place!

We were seated in the back, and asked for a tea menu. Two separate pots of teas, ranging from Earl Grey to English Breakfast Tea, we both went with Earl Grey. Milk and sugar given. We thought the 14 pound/per person set menu only allowed us to pick one thing from each menu, but in fact, they give you 2 of everything!

Bottom tier was the finger sandwiches, ranging from smoked salmon to cucumber sandwiches, 10 in total for 2. Yum! Smoked salmon was my favorite! Then onto the scones, which they give you 2 plain and 2 fruit ones with jam and clotted cream. So I normally don't like scones since they're hard and dry, but these are fluffier and lighter like biscuits. The clotted cream is AMAZING. It's supposed to be like a butter spread, but almost like a light cream cheese, but better. So delicious. Smear that stuff all over the scones and add some raspberry jam. Definitley the winner of the food here. Lastly were desserts which we tried one bite of, ranging from carrot cake to chocolate eclairs. These were just so-so, especially after the wonderful clotted cream. I will probably dream about this stuff until I have it again.

All I'm going to say is damn!!!!! The pictures say it all. Freaking delicious!!!!!! Chocolate sponge cake, chocolate icing, topped with a mini cream puff!!!! The other deliciousness is chocolate cake, creamy vanilla icing, just wow. Moist sponge cake, absolutely heaven!!!!

A stale waffle that had been microwaved to oblivion, served with the iciest ice-cream (that was borderline sorbet), and cream... FROM A CAN.

No you don't go calling yourself a Patisserie and serve cake with whipped cream from a can. its not even cream.

I should say i was the fortunate one at the table as the other 2 orders were horribly mixed up and the waitress wasn't taking any blame for it.

RIDE, HOSTILE, and HOTTER THAN HELL IN JULY!

Sat at a table to order dessert. The restaurant was incredibly hot. At first I thought it was just me. After sitting at the table for more than 10 minutes with no service I looked around to try to find someone. Their staff were leaning against a counter and fanning themselves. I couldn't take it anymore so I gathered my things.

On my way out I mentioned that it was just incredibly hot and I couldn't take it anymore. One of the ladies working there nodded in agreement and said nothing. On my way out the door a young man gave me an odd look as I was walking out and I told him it was just insanely hot and I couldn't take it. Apparently the air conditioner was broken and the owner does not want to paid have it fixed. I said that I was leaving and this young man who had an Italian accent and identified himself as the manager became extremely rude and hostile.

AVOID!

Very cute little place walking distance from where I was staying. They have great breakfast and good coffee!

I walked by this patisserie a few times coming and going from Covent Garden, and I finally relented one night when the pastries were too tasty-looking to ignore.

Overall I'd say it's not bad, but if you sit inside it's definitely a bit weird. There's something about the atmosphere that's just a bit off; like you should only stay for a few minutes (to eat your pastry) and then leave; no lazy nights nursing a latte watching the theatre crowds go by in droves.

Since the pastries are (sadly) average at best, I don't see much reason to return here instead of simply hitting up a Costa or Starbucks with better seating.

Picked up a suitcase of delicious, beautiful desserts late evening after a theatre performance nearby. This is a treat to find; clean, inviting, talkative crowd, friendly employees who were efficient and helpful. Late hours (for the UK) make this a rarity in the neighbourhood.