Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea

I spent the weekend in London, celebrating a friend’s birthday.  Part of this weekend involved going for afternoon tea!  I seem to have been to a few places for afternoon tea now, perhaps I am getting old, or perhaps it is becoming more fashionable – who knows?!  In fact, according to the Observer afternoon tea is making a bit of a resurgence lately as an alternative to expensive dinner dates in the recession.  I have to be honest baking cakes is not my strong point so rather than stay in and entertain, we sampled the offering of the Lanesborough hotel at Hyde Park Corner. 

The hotel itself is lovely, with high ceilings and ornate decorations, but also has a relaxed feel.  I went to the Ritz for afternoon tea a couple of years ago and loved it but also felt a bit out of place.  Not that I’m a scruffy oaf you understand but an afternoon tea date feels like it should be a leisurely and relaxed affair.  I have to say the Lanesborough did not disappoint.  The staff were very attentive, especially considering there were 13 of us!  We had ample rounds of sandwiches, cakes, teacakes, scones (best bit!) and a glass of champagne.  All for £45.  Not bad.

I have to say my favourite so far, having visited a few now, was the Berkeley hotel.  I went for afternoon “Prêt-à-Portea” there a few months ago and it was amazing.  The cakes are inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world, so they are fashioned into little marc jacobs bags and inspired by balmain dresses.  They even gave us a bag shaped doggy bag to take the leftover cakes home in!  I could get used to this…