Sauce Loves… National Afternoon Tea Week
To celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week (14th – 20th August), we’ve put together the finest afternoon teas to try for a bite of the best. Whether you prefer traditional elegance or quirky twists, it’s time to tuck in…
The trendy one at Thomas’s Café at Burberry
This year, celebrate Afternoon Tea Week at the fashionable Thomas’s Café in Burberry’s flagship store at 121 Regent Street. Take a front row seat in the heart of London while enjoying a quintessentially British afternoon. Priced at £32, Afternoon Tea includes unlimited pots of 2016 2nd Flush Grand Reserve Darjeeling India, a glass of Nyetimber classic, and an assortment of finger sandwiches and tea cakes, served on a brass and glass shelved cake stand. Miniature British favourite finger cakes, including Victoria sponge cake and lemon meringue tartlet, are served alongside Thomas’s signature pale orange fondant fancy and walnut whip.
https://uk.burberry.com/stores/thomass-cafe/
The classic one at The Goring
Afternoon Tea at The Goring is a world-renowned affair which celebrates the much-loved English tradition in all its quintessential splendour. Complete with delicate pastries, scones and sandwiches, served with the finest blended and first-flush teas from around the world, and topped off with a glass of Bollinger Champagne, the Afternoon Tea service is reason alone to visit The Goring, the only hotel in the world with an official Royal Warrant by Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen. Afternoon Tea is served in the luxurious, five-star surroundings of the Bar & Lounge every day between 3.00pm – 4.00pm and in The Dining Room on Saturdays between 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
https://www.thegoring.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/
The traditional one at The Stafford
The Stafford Afternoon Tea is served in the elegant interconnected drawing rooms and The Game Bird restaurant. The setting is the perfect spot to relax, unwind and enjoy the great British tradition of Afternoon Tea. Sheer indulgence comes in the form of a show-stopping cake stand overflowing with an assortment of goodies: little cakes, pastries, dainty finger sandwiches and delicious homemade scones with lashings of clotted cream and jam. A fine choice of brews from Camellia’s Tea House are served in the finest china, whilst connoisseurs will delight in the theatrical spectacle of an exquisite Tea Ceremony featuring signature teas from Camellia’s Tea House that include The Game Bird Blended Tea. Afternoon Tea is served between 12 – 7pm daily.
https://thestaffordlondon.com/the-game-bird/afternoon-tea/
The alternative one at the InterContinental London Park Lane
If coffee is your beverage of choice, this Afternoon Tea Week, make your way to the InterContinental London Park Lane to enjoy the alternative High Coffee in the beautiful surrounds of the Wellington Lounge. Starting with an Espresso Martini, guests can embrace their darker side with an assortment of carefully devised Afternoon Open Sandwiches that will complement the cocktail. The menu moves on to a selection of warm savouries accompanied by Caffé Freddo, followed by a palate-cleansing blood orange and ginger sorbet, then traditional warm scones with clotted cream and finishing with a delectable array of desserts, each with their accompanying coffee variation.
http://parklane.intercontinental.com/
The tipsy one at Blind Spot
Hidden speakeasy Blind Spot at St Martins Lane hotel offers a tipsy afternoon tea for an alternative celebration of National Afternoon Tea Week. Beyond the golden hand that marks the speakeasy’s entrance, guests will be greeted by elegance and sophistication, with a variety of signature cocktails accompanied by sweet and savoury dishes, including Smoked salmon and avocado tartlets and Raspberry and matcha tea tarts. The all-important cocktails are tea-infused, honouring the tradition of afternoon tea whilst offering the kick of something a little stronger. The tea is priced at £35 and available from Sunday to Thursday.
The exotic One at The Den
For those who fancy an afternoon trip to the tropics, The Den at St Martins Lane hotel serves a rum afternoon tea for the perfect tea with a twist. Recent recipient of the ‘Highly Commended Award of Excellence’ at the Afternoon Tea Awards, expect indulgent dishes like Pina colada cake, coconut dacquoise, pineapple confit and coconut mousse with Bacardi Cuatro rum and Strawberry daiquiri tart, lime cream with Bacardi Carta Oro rum and strawberry ganache. Priced at £39.50 per person, this is the perfect option for those who are looking for something a little more exotic than the traditional afternoon tea this National Afternoon Tea Week.
www.morganshotelgroup.com/originals/originals-st-martins-lane-london/eat-drink/afternoon-tea
The whimsical one at Sanderson
Sanderson hotel invites guests to discover a tea party full of imagination, inspired by the whimsical world of Alice In Wonderland. Winner of an ‘Award of Excellence Highly Commended’ at the recent Afternoon Tea Awards, the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea includes treats bursting with flavour such as Cornish crab brioche roll with spiced avocado and coriander and Mad March hare vanilla pocket watch macaroon, all priced at £48 per person. This is the perfect option for those wanting a quirky and whimsical edge for National Afternoon Tea Week.
www.morganshotelgroup.com/originals/originals-sanderson-london/eat-drink/mad-hatters-afternoon-tea
The Royal One at The Rubens at The Palace Hotel
There is no better place to enjoy traditional afternoon tea than at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel, with its views overlooking the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. The delicious afternoon tea features mouth-watering dishes that vary from sweet to savoury, from Coronation chicken and toasted almond sandwich to The Rubens royal chocolate cake. Priced at £39 per person, the tea is heavily influenced by all things regal, making it the perfect option for something traditional to celebrate the very British tradition of afternoon tea.
The pup-friendly one at Bluebird Café
For those looking to enjoy an afternoon tea with their four-legged friends, the recently opened Bluebird Café in the Television Centre will be serving their ‘A Pup of Tea’ throughout the week. A puppy’s dream, the tea features handmade vegan dog cookies and wholesome treats provided by Lily’s Kitchen – all served in luxury dog bowls from Bluebird partner, PetsPyjamas. For the anthropoids at the table, a three-tiered selection inspired by sister site Bluebird Chelsea’s much-loved afternoon tea will be available.
To make it pooch perfect, every furry friend will receive a complimentary summer goodie bag from PetsPyjamas with a travel water bowl, yummy treats, toys and other doggy essentials. A discretionary £1 donation will be added to all ‘Pup of Tea’ bills in support of Wild at Heart Foundation; a charity that supports animal welfare projects worldwide. Available from 2.30pm – 5pm throughout the week, reservations for ‘A Pup of Tea’ can be made by calling 020 3940 0700 or online via www.bluebirdcafe.co.uk.
The modern Welsh one at Palé Hall, North Wales
Palé Hall in North Wales offers adds a modern and local twist to their decadent afternoon tea, served in the serene surroundings of the Welsh valleys. The hotel’s head pastry chef, Adam Cleal, has revamped the cake and afternoon tea offering at Palé Hall, with fun modern highlights including popcorn and banana caramel macarons and carrot cake ice lollies as well as traditional Welsh tea offerings including Welsh cakes and Bara Brith with butter. Priced from £28.50 per person, Palé Hall is the perfect destination to experience a luxurious Welsh afternoon tea.