Afternoon teas are such a unique English pleasure it was glorious to take a French friend who had never heard of them to one of London’s most iconic tea rooms.
A champagne tea at the Hotel Cafe Royal, in Piccadilly, may set you back but rest assured every penny spent is worth it.
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The stunning Grade II listed Grill Room dates back to 1865 and just walking in you know you have landed somewhere special.
Take a seat in the low leather armchairs and marvel at the gilded room with its mirrored walls.
Nymphs lean in with gold cargo hanging from their necks.
Beautiful frescoes on the ceilings have stories of their own with one bearing the wine splattered memory of Rihanna’s visit.
Other guests have included Diana Princess of Wales, Winston Churchill and more recently Harry Styles, who was allegedly turned away as he only wanted tea and they were busy, said our waitress.
Afternoon tea was introduced in England in 1840 by the seventh Duchess of Bedford who would ask for a tray of tea, bread and cake to be brought up to her rooms in the mid-afternoon and soon began inviting her high society friends, turning it into a fashionable event.
Our gastronomic afternoon began with champagne - the Veuve Clicquot - and with tea.
The most popular are English breakfast blends but I asked our waitress which she would recommend and she suggested the milk oolong, with its hint of vanilla, that perfectly accompanied both savoury and sweet delicacies enhancing the flavours.
We began with an aptly named ‘amuse bouche’ - a Parmesan crunch with the most silky truffle mousse filling.
Beneath on the tiered cake stand were the sandwiches - a divinely warm roast beef horse radish on tomato bread, and the royal mouthful of the Clarence Court brown egg and truffle sandwich within a soft fluffy brioche.
The coronation chicken on cocoa bread had the delicate spice of the curry and the juicy bite of plump raisins.
The smoked salmon with dill-infused cream and marinated cucumber on lemons bread was light and flavoursome.
The blood orange sorbet with a cocoa nib crumble palate cleanser was just heaven on the tongue - cold, crunchy, refreshing, divine.
Next, traditional scones, plain and raisin, two each with clotted cream! The Earl Grey tea jelly is made on the premises and lighter but just as delicious as the sweet bomb of strawberry conserve firing all endorphins with each mouthful.
By this point we were feeling satiated so took a breather while listening to resident pianist Arnold play classical and popular tunes including Nat King Cole, Jungle Book, and Dusty Springfield’s Windmills of Your Mind.
The four sweet delicacies were individually delectable.
The sweet tartness of the fragile Tarte Tatin, the light buttermilk mousse and rhubarb confit, the citrus explosion of the exotic fruit entremet on its spongy coconut base and last but by no means least, the chocolate sable with pistachio praline was as rich and decadent as our surroundings.
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'C’est top', said my French companion, which just about sums up the whole experience.
Traditional afternoon tea at the Hotel Cafe Royal starts from £70.
Address: 10 Air Street, Piccadilly W1B 4DY
Website: hotelcaferoyal.com
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