Unusual Afternoon Tea: London high tea with a twist
The classic English pastime, with fresh new edge: London afternoon tea gets cool with these unusual options, from vegan to Basque
Afternoon tea at Balthazar
Afternoon Tea Sundae, Fortnum and Mason's Parlour
The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason is heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth, from ice cream to pastries, cakes to sorbets, they have just about everything you need for the perfect dessert. Now, for Summer, they have introduced the ice cream version of a classic afternoon tea. How very British.
Rose flavoured eclairs, pieces of scones, Italian meringue and popping candy are just a few of the many ingredients that make up an afternoon tea sundae at the Parlour. These sit on top of the layers of many unique ice cream flavours, including Strawberry and Scones, Rose Ripple and an ever-so refreshing Mint and Cucumber sorbet. The odd combinations do seem almost inedible when read on paper, but really do work.
One word of warning; albeit the novelty of the coronation ice cream – made up with mayonnaise, curry powder and mustard – is a fun addition, it is in fact extremely strong so take the smallest of samples before going straight in for the scoop.
10am – 9pm, 5th August – 28th December 2016
£14 for an afternoon tea sundae
Click here for details.
Bobbi Brown Afternoon Tea, Balthazar London
As if the tiny sandwiches and delicates cakes aren't girly enough this elegant new afternoon tea at Balthazar London was inspired by cult Bobbi Brown beauty products. The sumptuous spread of confectionary is an homage to the beauty brand's most beloved products.
Balthazar pastry chef Regis Beauregard has created bite size cakes inspired by Bobbi Brown products. Eating a foundation stick might not sound appetising but the glossy tempered chocolate, artfully shaped to echo the design of the make up, is as delicious as it is artful. Feast on vanilla and rosewater mousse red lips, and tuck into a rhubarb and custard shimmer blocks along with the delicate sandwiches of a traditional afternoon tea.
And, if you're celebrating, Bobbi's Party Cocktail will leave you feeling festive: the zingy combination of Tequila, citrus and gingerbread is a fresh accompaniment to all the sweetness.
3-5pm everyday, until 29th September
£25.00 - £35.00
Click here to book.
Gin & Jam Afternoon Tea, Hush
If there is something hushed about Hush, perhaps it’s because of the location: a secret courtyard tucked away from the bustle of New Bond Street. Afternoon teas take place in the brasserie’s even-more-exclusive-seeming Silver Room, which has the glamour of a 1930's ocean liner right down to the waiters' white dinner jackets.
But there's a flash of fun, too: the cocktails at the new Gin and Jam afternoon tea are served in cutesy jars and named after naughty children’s book characters, each mixed with its own jam. Don't be fooled by the innocuous names: the Tinkerbell is laced with absinthe. There’s a selection jams to have with your floaty, spongey mix of macaroons and scones. The result is an experience that’s indulgently sticky in one of the classiest rooms Mayfair has to offer.
3-6pm everyday
£35.00
Click here to book.
Basque Afternoon Tea, The Halkin
Chilled potato soup might not be your idea of a tasty addition to an afternoon tea, but it perfectly complements the Basque variation served at The Halkin in Belgravia. This luxury hotel has replaced traditional scones and cucumber sandwiches with a spread of savoury tapas and delicious desse. The result is a flavoursome alternative that’s both exotic and familiar.
Replacing the scones is a spread of savoury tapas and exotic desserts. There are finger sandwiches – filled with Piquillo peppers and avocado – but also Basque skewers, spider crab tempura, and lime custard and banana tartlets. And what could better accompany this than a chilled glass of cava?
The private dining room is available for group bookings if you want your tea to feel even more exclusive.
2.30-5pm everyday
£32.00 - £36.00
Click here to book.
Vegan Afternoon Tea, La Suite West
In this minimalist, Japanese-inspired hotel, chef Nik Heartland has provided a contemporary vegan alternative to the classic afternoon tea.
The dairy-free menu – gluten-free options are available – is PETA-approved, but still manages to provide scones and (coconut) cream. The texture is less substantial than that of traditional scones, and the shape is flatter, but they are still perfectly crumbly and soft on the inside. The highlights, however, are the butternut squash with cream of artichoke and truffle, and an orange and cashew cheesecake.
Cow’s milk is available, but there’s also a selection of plant milks if you want to keep your afternoon entirely free of animal by-products. And why not? It’s just so tasty even the staunchest of carnivores could be converted.
12-3pm Mon-Wed, 12-5pm Thurs-Sun
£27.00
Click here to book.
David Shrigley Afternoon Tea, Sketch
The inside of Sketch is entirely pink – pink walls, pink velvet banquette seats, pink bar – but it’s the 239 drawings by David Shrigley that will hold your attention. This is the largest ever display of the Turner Prize nominee’s works, and would be almost overwhelming if his weirdness wasn’t balanced by his humour. This finds its way onto the crockery, on which are written characteristically Shrigley-esque words like ‘dreams’, ‘dust’, ‘nothing’, and simply ‘food’.
The only oddity about the food itself, other than sqaure scones, is the decadence. The puff pastries, dainty finger sandwiches, mille-feuille, éclairs, macaroons and lemon meringue pies are rich and sweet. The miniature croque monsieurs (wrapped in little greaseproof parcels and tied with yellow ribbons) are the most sinful, and the best reason to have tea at this quirky restaurant.
1st – 31st December
£72 per person
Click here to book.
The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason is heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth, from ice cream to pastries, cakes to sorbets, they have just about everything you need for the perfect dessert. Now, for Summer, they have introduced the ice cream version of a classic afternoon tea. How very British.
Rose flavoured eclairs, pieces of scones, Italian meringue and popping candy are just a few of the many ingredients that make up an afternoon tea sundae at the Parlour. These sit on top of the layers of many unique ice cream flavours, including Strawberry and Scones, Rose Ripple and an ever-so refreshing Mint and Cucumber sorbet. The odd combinations do seem almost inedible when read on paper, but really do work.
One word of warning; albeit the novelty of the coronation ice cream – made up with mayonnaise, curry powder and mustard – is a fun addition, it is in fact extremely strong so take the smallest of samples before going straight in for the scoop.
10am – 9pm, 5th August – 28th December 2016
£14 for an afternoon tea sundae
Click here for details.
Bobbi Brown Afternoon Tea, Balthazar London
As if the tiny sandwiches and delicates cakes aren't girly enough this elegant new afternoon tea at Balthazar London was inspired by cult Bobbi Brown beauty products. The sumptuous spread of confectionary is an homage to the beauty brand's most beloved products.
Balthazar pastry chef Regis Beauregard has created bite size cakes inspired by Bobbi Brown products. Eating a foundation stick might not sound appetising but the glossy tempered chocolate, artfully shaped to echo the design of the make up, is as delicious as it is artful. Feast on vanilla and rosewater mousse red lips, and tuck into a rhubarb and custard shimmer blocks along with the delicate sandwiches of a traditional afternoon tea.
And, if you're celebrating, Bobbi's Party Cocktail will leave you feeling festive: the zingy combination of Tequila, citrus and gingerbread is a fresh accompaniment to all the sweetness.
3-5pm everyday, until 29th September
£25.00 - £35.00
Click here to book.
Gin & Jam Afternoon Tea, Hush
If there is something hushed about Hush, perhaps it’s because of the location: a secret courtyard tucked away from the bustle of New Bond Street. Afternoon teas take place in the brasserie’s even-more-exclusive-seeming Silver Room, which has the glamour of a 1930's ocean liner right down to the waiters' white dinner jackets.
But there's a flash of fun, too: the cocktails at the new Gin and Jam afternoon tea are served in cutesy jars and named after naughty children’s book characters, each mixed with its own jam. Don't be fooled by the innocuous names: the Tinkerbell is laced with absinthe. There’s a selection jams to have with your floaty, spongey mix of macaroons and scones. The result is an experience that’s indulgently sticky in one of the classiest rooms Mayfair has to offer.
3-6pm everyday
£35.00
Click here to book.
Basque Afternoon Tea, The Halkin
Chilled potato soup might not be your idea of a tasty addition to an afternoon tea, but it perfectly complements the Basque variation served at The Halkin in Belgravia. This luxury hotel has replaced traditional scones and cucumber sandwiches with a spread of savoury tapas and delicious desse. The result is a flavoursome alternative that’s both exotic and familiar.
Replacing the scones is a spread of savoury tapas and exotic desserts. There are finger sandwiches – filled with Piquillo peppers and avocado – but also Basque skewers, spider crab tempura, and lime custard and banana tartlets. And what could better accompany this than a chilled glass of cava?
The private dining room is available for group bookings if you want your tea to feel even more exclusive.
2.30-5pm everyday
£32.00 - £36.00
Click here to book.
Vegan Afternoon Tea, La Suite West
In this minimalist, Japanese-inspired hotel, chef Nik Heartland has provided a contemporary vegan alternative to the classic afternoon tea.
The dairy-free menu – gluten-free options are available – is PETA-approved, but still manages to provide scones and (coconut) cream. The texture is less substantial than that of traditional scones, and the shape is flatter, but they are still perfectly crumbly and soft on the inside. The highlights, however, are the butternut squash with cream of artichoke and truffle, and an orange and cashew cheesecake.
Cow’s milk is available, but there’s also a selection of plant milks if you want to keep your afternoon entirely free of animal by-products. And why not? It’s just so tasty even the staunchest of carnivores could be converted.
12-3pm Mon-Wed, 12-5pm Thurs-Sun
£27.00
Click here to book.
David Shrigley Afternoon Tea, Sketch
The inside of Sketch is entirely pink – pink walls, pink velvet banquette seats, pink bar – but it’s the 239 drawings by David Shrigley that will hold your attention. This is the largest ever display of the Turner Prize nominee’s works, and would be almost overwhelming if his weirdness wasn’t balanced by his humour. This finds its way onto the crockery, on which are written characteristically Shrigley-esque words like ‘dreams’, ‘dust’, ‘nothing’, and simply ‘food’.
The only oddity about the food itself, other than sqaure scones, is the decadence. The puff pastries, dainty finger sandwiches, mille-feuille, éclairs, macaroons and lemon meringue pies are rich and sweet. The miniature croque monsieurs (wrapped in little greaseproof parcels and tied with yellow ribbons) are the most sinful, and the best reason to have tea at this quirky restaurant.
1st – 31st December
£72 per person
Click here to book.
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