:the english ritual of tea
The Berkeley Hotel:
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RL.
Called "Prêt-à-Portea", The Berkeley Hotel pays homage to the
fashion world with its creative twist to the classic elements of the
traditional afternoon tea. Cakes and pastries resemble the latest
catwalk designs for the style conscious in the style of the world's
finest designers: Gucci art deco Grand Marnier and dark Valrhona
chocolate mousse embellished with golden beads; Mulberry white
chocolate crème de menthe and raspberry mousse topped with a
lemon meringue; Fendi nautical red and white striped vanilla cake
filled with fraise des bois cremeux accessorized with oversized yellow
button; Christian Louboutin must have neon yellow high heeled
chocolate biscuit with signature red sole. Only in London!
Ph: 020 7235 6000. www.the-berkeley.co.uk/fashion-afternoon-tea
The English Tea Room, Brown's Hotel:
Albemarle Street, W1.
This is the archetypal English tearoom and the winner of the
Tea Guild's 2009 top London tea place. Wood panelled rooms,
piano softly playing in the background - you couldn't dream up a
more perfect setting to enjoy those chicken and chive sandwiches,
macaroons and warm scones on specially commissioned green-andwhite china, over a white-starched tablecloth-laden table.
Ph: 020 7518 4155. www.brownshotel.com/dining/the-english-tearoom/
The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner:
Hyde Park Corner, SW1.
Voted London's top tea place in 2008, afternoon tea is served
on the mezzanine of a large, light room with a 20s chandelier
and conservatory-style ceiling. While the tea has been chosen
by England's first tea sommelier, Karl Kessab, the Lanesborough
selection of sweet and savoury delicacies - fruit mousse, minisandwiches, quichelets, little cakes, scones - are nothing short of
sublime.
Ph: 020 7259 5599 www.lanesborough.com
The Mandeville Hotel:
Mandeville Place, W1.
Tiffany blue china for the gentlemen's afternoon tea and pink Royal
Doulton by Zandra Rhodes for the ladies' afternoon tea define the
sexes at the chic deVille Restaurant in the Mandeville Hotel. And
while the "fairer sex" can enjoy a refined selection of champagne
cocktail and "nibblies", male guests can choose the whiskey
afternoon tea, complete with sirloin on focaccia, beef satays, and
chocolate brownies. Teas are supplied by upmarket supplier Jing.
Ph: 020 7935 5599. www.mandeville.co.uk/afternoon-tea
The Palm Court Tearoom at The Ritz London:
The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR.
The Palm Court Tearoom at The Ritz London has historically been one
of the most sought after places to experience the tradition of High Tea
at its best. And let's face it, it's got glitz, it's got glam. And don't even
think about turning up in your jeans and sports shoes. However, due
to its worldwide fame, The Palm Court Tearoom tends to have its fair
share of large tour groups wanting a taste of the High Tea experience.
While my suggestion would be to leave it to the tourists and head
for somewhere more discreet, you may want to see what the fuss is
all about. And tea or no tea, with its interiors a symphony of white
and gold, The Palm Court Tearoom at The Ritz London is drop dead
gorgeous. Ph: 020 7493 8181. www.theritzlondon.com/tea
