A trio of afternoon teas in the capital to try this spring...
One of the big joys of Hertfordshire Life is our proximity to London. But with more than 32,000 restaurants in the captial, and 3,500-plus pubs. where does one begin? Here's some inspiration to get you started in April...
High Palms High Tea at The Landmark London
Located in the heart of Marylebone, the Landmark London offers afternoon tea with classic British dishes and flavours. The eight-storey glass atrium is adorned with leafy palm trees and full of airy sunlight and afternoon tea is served in inimitable style under the high palms of the magnificent Victorian Winter Garden atrium.
Service is friendly and attentive, with a live pianist for added ambience. The menu begins with a glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée and a wide selection of teas including darjeeling, assam, English breakfast, organic rose grey and sencha aloe vera. The sandwiches are traditional and moreish, with lapsang souchong smoked Scottish salmon, organic egg mayonnaise and mustard cress, classic cucumber and coronation chicken on walnut bread. Scones are served warm with Cornish clotted cream and a selection of jams and marmalade. The luxurious desserts are full of flavour with intricate details.
landmarklondon.co.uk/dining/high-palms-high-tea/
Royal Lancaster London afternoon tea
A quintessentially British experience. the Royal Lancaster's indulgent Afternoon Tea, is served in the beautifully elegant Hyde Café between 1pm and 4pm. An irresistible assortment of delicately crafted sandwiches, warm baked scones and deliciously sweet delicacies, are accompanied by a selection of the finest Camellia’s Tea House teas from around the world. And each pot of tea comes with an infusion card to keep track of optimum brewing times. Or you can add a glass of Chapel Down Sparkling Wine and let the afternoon blissfully slip away.
The sandwiches served tick all the classic boxes, and vegetarian alternatives include adventurous options such as piquillo red pepper and hummus to accompany the traditional cucumber and cream cheese.
The menu changes seasonally, but highlights include chocolate truffle lollipops with honey centres (the honey made from beehives on the roof of the hotel itself.)
royallancaster.com/bars/afternoon-tea/
HIVE Restaurant at Selfridges' Cheese and Honey Pairing Afternoon Tea
Enjoy Afternoon Tea with the bees at HIVE Restaurant at Selfridges. Some 100,000 Western bees have found a home in the restaurant’s hives, which diners can be view from the windows opposite the restaurant.
The modernist interior at HIVE is inspired by honey, with botanical statement walls, plant boxes with florals pollinated by the restaurant’s resident bees, and decadent golden bee sculptures.
The honey from the bees is used as a key ingredient in Hive’s unique Cheese and Honey Pairing Afternoon Tea menu. A selection of French cheese are accompanied by a range of honey, including Heather, Lavender, Rosemary and Rhododendron.
Scones are served with honey, cream and jam. Pastries include Red Fruit Cheesecake, Lemon Eclair and Pistachio Macaron.
selfridges.com
