AFTERNOON TEA – Page 2

March 30, 2015 by: Sunny London

St James Court Hotel- Royal Afternoon Tea

What exactly makes the St James Court Hotel Royal Afternoon Tea such a regal experience? With so many themed afternoon teas in London, I wondered this exact question when I received an invitation to enjoy this luxurious food.

You might remember my previous blog feature when I hosted a Zomato giveaway for the St James Court Hotel’s 24 Karat Gold Afternoon Tea. The winner of this food treat was Shikha from Why Waste Annual Leave, and she absolutely loved her golden feast at the hotel.

Already knowing that the St James Court Hotel offers superior service, food and atmosphere, my anticipation for a second visit was high. Why do they call it a ‘royal’ afternoon tea? Can you guess what the reason might be?

Let me show you, Sunny friends.

First, I made some extra time during the trip to the hotel to explore more of what it has to offer. I began my visit with a wander around the building and discovered an absolutely stunning courtyard. Here’s the journey…

When I saw that gorgeous fountain in this tranquil oasis tucked behind London’s bustling city streets, I wondered if maybe this is somewhere the Queen visits for afternoon tea when she wants to escape Buckingham Palace.

Next, I headed inside to the Hamptons Bar, which is where the Royal Afternoon Tea is served. This chic bar with high-backed chairs and elegant gilt mirrors is perfect for a relaxing cocktail.

Even though I didn’t have a table booked, the staff quickly found a place for me to begin the opulent afternoon tea. First, I picked the Orchid Oolong tea from the menu because it features hints of coconut. However, I was sadly informed it wasn’t available that day. This means I’ll need to return to the hotel for a third trip. 😉

I followed the suggestion of trying the African Amber. It has a blend of hibiscus and exotic fruits. Its silky texture and rich taste made me immediately fall in love.

The Royal Afternoon Tea soon arrived in all its grandeur. I think I may have even imagined a few trumpets sounding when it landed next to me and towered waist high.

St James Court Hotel Royal Afternoon Tea Sandwiches:

– Coronation Chicken with Golden Sultanas
– Smoked Loch Fyne Salmon with Rocket
– Cured Gressingham Duck with Red Currant Jelly
– Cornish Yarg and Tomato with Branston Pickle
– English Cucumber and Minted Cream Cheese in Beetroot Bread

In comparison to other afternoon tea sandwiches, I really liked the unique ingredients the Executive Chef uses at St James Court. Usually, the first plate of a tea has basic food like egg salad, ham, roast beef, or tuna. Blah, blah, blah…

It’s not often that a menu features duck. And, you have no idea the joy I felt eating the Coronation Chicken sandwich. It absolutely is one of my favourite British foods!

St James Court Hotel Royal Afternoon Tea Scones:

This, Sunny friends, is the course which earns the tea its noble name.

While it’s safe to say that no one will mistake the above featured scones for the Crown Jewels, it is true that this is where Her Majesty makes her mark.

Those are Queen’s Recipe Drop Scones, Plain and Raisin. They’re served with Cornish Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserve.

Apparently, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II personally sent US President Eisenhower the recipe for these scrumptious baked goods in a handwritten letter in 1960.

St James Court Royal Afternoon Tea Cakes and Pastries:

The final phase of this food feast celebrates all the richness one would expect in sovereignty.

– Raspberry Bakewell Tart
– Miniature Victoria Sponge Sandwiches
– White Chocolate Crowns
– Glittery Battenburg
– Elderflower and Strawberry Jelly
– Homemade Jaffa Cake

Every bite is majestic and as glorious as the picture makes it look. Trust me. I didn’t leave not one morsel behind.

For £27.50 per person, the St James Court Royal Afternoon Tea offers a stately alternative to other teas in London. Now, if I could only score an invitation to sip champagne in the St James Court’s ‘The Cellar Room by Laurent-Perrier’ my Taj Hotel experience would be complete. 😉

April 20, 2015 by: Sunny London

Warren House Afternoon Tea and English Gardens

Do you like luxury, excellent food and serenity? Then you would love the Warren House Afternoon Tea, staycation and more.

With so many options for staycations and afternoon tea in London, it’s tough to choose where to go when you have limited amounts of time. Since I live in North London, travelling down to Surrey to visit Kingston Upon Thames isn’t the easiest trip. However, when I received an invitation to spend an evening at Warren House, enjoy their afternoon tea and tour Kingston Upon Thames, it was an easy decision because of how beautiful it appeared.

The trip was tough because it meant dragging an overnight bag on a bus, underground train, overground train and another bus. After travelling two and a half hours, I made it to Warren Road with my suitcase and felt a little lost. The exquisite service at Warren House started there, right on a curvy English road. Let me tell you how…

I only went twenty feet on to Warren Road and got frustrated looking for the hotel because my iPhone indicated I had passed it. Rather than take another step, I called Warren House. The gentleman that answered the phone indicated it would be faster if I just stayed standing right where I was, rather than receive directions.

He was right.

Seconds later, an energetic and eager man appeared from around a corner, took hold of my heavy suitcase and immediately guided me to historic Warren House. It was just a bit beyond where I was standing, actually, but the long journey had me weary.

I’d like to say it was like walking in to Oz, but honestly the whole road was a green path of fresh spring life. However, Warren House and its stunning Victorian beauty definitely took my breath away. The fact that they had prepared a crystal blue sky for my overnight staycation was even more impressive. 😉

Less than ten minutes after I made the anxious phone call in the road, I stood at my open window in Room #31 overlooking English gardens and fountains that seemed to stretch for miles. (Make sure you see the YouTube video for all these sights too!)

After a huge inhale of crisp Spring sunshine, I noticed that in the distance I could see The Shard and a few other of London’s tallest buildings resting on the bright blue horizon.

I could have stayed in that very spot for hours. But, my afternoon tea was set to begin in just a few moments.

It was tempting not to have my food outside in the warm sunshine, but I opted for a table inside because I could sit next to an outlet and recharge my lifeless iPhone.

The gardens and tables were filled with elegant ladies and men sipping champagne and soaking up all the Spring rays in Surrey. I ordered an English Breakfast Tea and tried to be posh as I ate my sandwiches.

But that didn’t last long because I was starving and they were so delicious. I ate each one in two big bites! Naturally, the scones and clotted cream disappeared fast too because they’re my favourites in this feast. Most impressive in this meal are the cakes and sweet treats.

Warren House Afternoon Tea:

– Green Apple Mousse
– Bellini Jelly
– Poppy Seed Cake
– Milk Chocolate and Earl Grey Tea Mousse
– Hazelnut Chocolate Tart Coco Nib Tuille

Aside from the melt in the mouth textures and flavours, I loved this sweet menu because each piece is dainty. Leaving an afternoon tea without feeling like a carb bomb with a thick creamy centre exploded in my stomach made for a nice change.

This also allowed me to take a nice stroll outside through the colourful, quiet English gardens that surround Warren House.

During my leisurely walk, I found a hidden little grotto, blossoming trees, soothing water fountains and tons of blooming flowers.

Once I gathered tons pictures for you, I stopped by the front desk for information about getting in to the city area of Kingston Upon Thames so I could explore a bit on my own. Again, their eagerness to help me was impressive.

After an easy bus ride, I was in the heart of Kingston Upon Thames, taking pictures of the sights leading up to and around the River Thames.

I made my way to the top of the Kingston Bridge and once again took a deep breath in order to absorb the stunning stretch of the river.

In the early evening I made my way back to Warren House and treated myself to a tasty sandwich and glass of champagne near the bar area.

Warren House, Afternoon Tea and more:

I can’t recommend this experience enough to Londoners and visitors. I slept like a princess in my room and awoke to birds singing outside and a glorious sunrise over London’s horizon. The hotel’s staff continuously looked after me and provided superior service in every capacity.

With rooms that start at £98 a night (including breakfast) during April, a stay at Warren House is a way to escape city life and transcend to total tranquility for a very good price. Also, if you are planning a wedding, special occasion, or conference/meeting events, then Warren House should be at the top of your location list.

And, if you would like to see the excellent reviews so many others have left for the Warren House Afternoon Tea, hotel stay and more, find them here on TripAdvisor.

Have you been to this area of Greater London? When you plan your trip, be sure to read my walking tour review. It’s the best way to see the city and should be high on your list of things to do in Kingston Upon Thames!

March 14, 2014 by: Sunny London

Bill’s Restaurant Covent Garden – Afternoon Tea with a Colour Explosion

I’m so excited to tell you about my experience with Bill’s Restaurant Covent Garden Afternoon Tea, Sunny friends! Bill’s is not only in a fabulous location but it also has a fun atmosphere with great food. Take a look inside…

I’ve certainly enjoyed great teas this year (The Royal Horseguards Hotel and last week’s Science Tea at the Ampersand Hotel), but as someone who can never pile enough cream on her scones, I’m always up for a new location.

Do you remember my recent post on St Martin’s Courtyard in Covent Garden? It’s one of my hottest new discoveries for inner sunshine in London. Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy tea at Bill’s, while I met with Rebecca from Sister PR to learn more about this great area.

And here’s the first reason I love Bill’s Afternoon Tea… I was able to order their Hedgerow Fizz (a Prosecco and elderflower cocktail) in place of a pot of tea.

You know I love my bubbly, Sunny friends!

While I sipped on the juice in my flute and waited for sandwiches and sweets, I understood why there was a raspberry floating in my fizz. Bill’s simply does not hold back on colourful images anywhere!

It’s just loaded with sunshine and warmth!

After a very short wait, our three tiered feast arrived, and it was absolutely scrumptious.

The sandwiches are: cucumber and cream cheese, salmon and cream cheese, egg and cress and ham, tomato and mustard. The pastries are fruit flapjack, lemon meringue tart, chocolate fudge cake and strawberry cream tart.

And the final tier features fruit scones with cream and jam.

Rebecca and I were careful to split each selection so we both could share and enjoy the wonderful flavors. And, we finished every bite! I definitely felt many rays of sun during this afternoon tea!

Cheers to Rebecca and Sister PR for the complimentary tea.

If you’re looking for a casual, non-fussy tea that won’t destroy your budget, Bill’s Restaurant Covent Garden is a beautiful spot to enjoy. The Afternoon Tea is £9.95 per person and Sparkling Afternoon Tea is £12.95. It’s available from 2:30-5:30 every afternoon, for a minimum of two people.

I’d also suggest visiting their website to check out their fabulous breakfast, lunch and dinner menu as well. They have 16 locations in London and numerous others throughout England, including St Albans.

Have you been to Bill’s yet? What other suggestions do you have for a casual afternoon tea in London?

January 25, 2015 by: Sunny London

Guiltless, Gluten Free Afternoon Tea at Intercontinental!

How could a Guiltless, gluten free afternoon tea in London even exist?

I had serious doubts about this invitation I received from Intercontinental London Park Lane. Therefore, within two days of receiving it, I was seated right where I should be to see (or perhaps I should say eat) for myself.

Because I was so quick to jump on this invitation, I did end up sitting in the gorgeous Wellington Lounge all alone. Just me and the Guiltless Afternoon Tea.

And what a spectacular view it is!

The Wellington Lounge is located on the ground floor of Intercontinental London Park Lane. Directly across from Hyde Park, this hotel sits in a superbly accessible and appealing area of Central London.

Upon arrival, I quickly received an extraordinary cocktail made of 10 Cane Rum, dried fennel and rosemary. Can I just say… lick your lips fantastic! For a girl who isn’t a fennel fan, this drink hit all the high marks. A+

While waiting for my tea, I had a front row seat to one of the world’s most beautiful parks and the Wellington Arch. As I sat watching the London busses whip past the window, I reminded myself how lucky I am to be in such an amazing city and to be able to try so many new things. And then… It hit me…

The whole concept of the guiltless afternoon tea at Intercontinental London Park Lane was ruined.

Why?

I started feeling crumby about taking it all in by myself. Selfish blogger. Bad blogger.

Could I blame it on the booze? Was it the alcohol making me feel so terrible?

I tried to drown my feelings with more liquid and quickly pounded a pot of White Peony with Pink Rosebuds tea.

That made things worse! As the tea made from soaking rose buds poured over my tongue, the delicate flower petal taste came alive slowly. I drank the whole pot and started thinking… Perhaps next I should just order holy water to cleanse my deadly sins?

Then the food arrived.

Oh sweet morsels of heaven!

It was like a Catholic upbringing. I wanted to rejoice but sat covered in guilt.

Here are the delicious treats I had just for me:

Some of them include: blueberry and yoghurt chiffon cake made with blueberries, Manuka honey and yoghurt, flourless chocolate and mint cake with fresh spearmint mousse, 70% dark chocolate agave, and red velvet cake made with quinoa, a touch of panela, and soft cheese in the centre.

I loved each and every one of them. Just as I finished a tasty bite of food, the next one dazzled me even more. And, what’s even more exciting is not only are they free of refined sugar, but also they’re vegetarian!

I worked my way up the three trays. And just before I hit the holy halo of desserts sitting at the top…

More food landed in front of me!

Yep. In my emotional roller coaster of feelings and sensations, even I, the self proclaimed Queen of Carb Land, forgot about the scones.

Oh the travesty!

As if that wasn’t enough, they sent me two plates. That’s right, Sunny friends! I had ordered the gluten free version of the guiltless afternoon tea, but they asked if I would give the traditional scones a go because they were so spectacular too.

I never imagined they would bring four of each. Whoa! These are their regular scones…

These wholemeal scones are served with cream fraiche and fresh fruit compote. If you’re a devout afternoon tea sipper, you know this is non-traditional, as scones always served with clotted cream. I loved his new twist and applaud Intercontinental London Park Lane for keeping it ‘fresh.’ 😉

The gluten free scones were also in line with everything I had eaten up to that point too. Hallejujah!

So, as I sat devouring all this amazing food, I finally found a way to remove the guilt. I decided to get creative and make a friend. And what a delicious friend it turned out to be…

And, suddenly all guilt was gone!

Confessions of why I loved the Guiltless, Gluten Free Afternoon Tea:

– For just £40, I think it’s excellent value for the money.
– The service I had in the Wellington Lounge was simply superior.
– For an afternoon tea that is remarkably healthy, the food is exceptionally tasty.
– Every guest can have every pot of tea on the menu, if he/she chooses.

To learn more about this afternoon tea and the other ones offered at the hotel, please visit the Intercontinental website. You can read reviews and receive great discounts here.

My afternoon tea was complimentary for the purpose of a review. My opinions are honest and not influenced by this. I didn’t feel guilty about being there by myself. I’m glad I didn’t have to share any of it. I probably would’ve fought someone else for that one Red Velvet Cake treat at the top. So, yes, this afternoon tea is truly GUILTLESS!

Sunny friends, would you like to join me for afternoon tea some time? What other healthy afternoon teas can you recommend in London?

May 25, 2015 by: Sunny London

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea and Tour

Who turns down the chance to have the Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea?

Not me.

If you’re wondering why, then you need a little insight on the London scene. Luckily, I can help you with that.

You see, the Covent Garden Hotel is one of six Firmdale Hotels in Central London. If you aren’t familiar with this extraordinary hotel group, grab a chair and get ready for mind-blowing visuals.

As of this blog feature, I have visited and enjoyed food at three of the eight Firmdale Hotels. Since I have always felt the Charlotte Street Hotel Afternoon Tea is where to have the best afternoon tea in London for the price you pay, I felt certain the Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea would be top-tier as well.

These are the reasons why I feel the Covent Garden Hotel also wins this ‘Afternoon Tea Trifecta.’

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Quality

When my friend Nicole and I arrived for our Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea experience, we each anticipated ordering the Covent Garden Tea. However, our exceptional server, Emilien, told us that for a limited weekend, the hotel was serving a special edition afternoon tea to celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

We both decided to honor the floral occasion and selected the seeds of celebration for our food. Here’s a side view of what arrived at our table:

After Emilien gave us an extensive tutorial on the food before us, we toasted our glasses of champagne and hit the sandwiches.

Chilli prawn and avocado mini bagel
Coronation chicken and mayonnaise in soft roll
Montgomery cheddar cheese and pickle on brown
Rare roast beef, foccacia, crispy onions

The coronation chicken was outstanding, but all of them reflect the infamous Firmdale Hotels quality.

The scone flavours plain and strawberry, and are baked perfectly sized and baked. They are of course, served warm. The dessert this Chelsea Tea includes are:

Lemon tart, candied peel
Strawberry and custard tart
Chelsea bun soaked in elderflower
Chocolate and cherry panna cotta
Blueberry Opera Cake

Along with all those delicious bites, we sipped on Jasmine Pearls and White Jasmine tea after our champagne.

The Chelsea Tea was only available for the weekend in honor of the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show. The food was simply dazzling, and I find the price even more impressive. At just £28 per person, you can’t beat it. You can read the blog for tons of afternoon tea reviews at London’s luxury hotels which range anywhere from £45-£90. The Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea is undeniably the best valued tea in town.

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Service

However, beautiful quality and combined ingredients is just the beginning. Our server Emilien even further magnified this fantastic experience. He is fairly fresh in London from Bordeaux and is is named after an equally gorgeous red wine.

His knowledge of the food and genuine enthusiasm for his role easily hits my ‘top service experiences in London’ category. I encourage you to ask for him when you go to dine at the hotel. His personality, charm and wit will surely add positively to your overall experience.

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Atmosphere

It’s no wonder that Emilien is so pleased to be at work. The atmosphere at the hotel is one of its most alluring features. This is standard for Firmdale Hotels. The owners are responsible for the interior design of the properties. For this reason, after our Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea, I requested a private tour of the hotel for me and my friend.

First, we walked through the Drawing Room and Library.

There’s also an ‘Honest Bar’ on this floor that allows people to enter, retrieve what they need, and honestly write it down what they take so the hotel is aware of what is gone.

Next, we visited a guest room. Each room is decorated differently. Materials used are often displayed outside the room.

While Firmdale Hotels is known for its vibrant use of colour in the interior design, you can see the colours beautifully balance together to create a warm and inviting ambience. Even better is the fact that while in the room, I couldn’t hear one sound from the bustling area outside.

Here’s the second room we toured…

Again, the cheerful fabrics dance together around the room to create an atmosphere of tranquility.

Our hotel representative explained to my friend Nicole and I that 60% of their guests are frequent visitors. Easily, you can see why. I didn’t want to leave either.

However, if you aren’t in need of an overnight stay in London, the hotel also has other amenities for you.

That’s a conference room that people can book. I bet if you were scheduled for a meeting or work seminar in that space that you would actually be excited!

Or perhaps you would like to host a film screening?

We learned that this space is used for celebrities and executives to preview films, as well as hold press launches and corporate presentations. Further, it’s utilised for the hotel’s Film Club activities. Here’s a link to their film series events that you can attend.

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Final Thoughts

My friend and I arrived for our afternoon tea booking fully prepared to savor their regularly offered ‘Covent Garden Tea.’ However, the surprise of the special Chelsea Tea offer made our evening. We arrived at 4pm on Saturday, and the restaurant was bustling. Brasserie Max appeared fully booked by the time we left, so I strongly recommend booking a table in advance.

If you agree with me that all of this sounds like the Covent Garden Hotel is a fantastic place to stay, you can visit their website, email the hotel to learn more about rooms, or follow them on social media. They also have hotels in New York City.

Finally, if you aren’t in London or near the hotel, you can find Kit Kemp’s book ‘A Living Space’ on Amazon. It features the owner’s secrets on how to ‘leave behind design rules to create truly beautiful, original interiors.’ I highly recommend it for yourself or as a gift for someone who appreciates cheerful, exquisite designs.

Our Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea experience was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This in no way influenced my opinions expressed above. I regularly tell people the Firmdale Hotels offer the best value for food in London. Make sure you ask me when you see me!

The Covent Garden Hotel is located at 10 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, UK WC2H 9HB

So, Sunny friends, what do you think of all these images of food and fun in one of London’s most unique hotels? Fancy a meal or stay at this location? If so, I’ll happily meet you there 😉

August 3, 2015 by: Sunny London

Afternoon Tea Week London 2015 Recommendations

Are you ready for Afternoon Tea Week 2015 in London? This year it takes place August 10th-16th. I’ll actually be in Florida on holiday during the week, so I won’t be able to take advantage of any afternoon tea deals or opportunities. However, I want to make sure if you’ll be in London during that time that you have some solid recommendations for places to go.

Over the past year, I have enjoyed quite a few afternoon teas in London. In fact, in December I had the task of hitting three in one week!

While some were certainly better than others, I can’t declare one an official ‘best afternoon tea in London.’ What I am able to do for you is make recommendations based on categories. So, here we go, Sunny friends…

Afternoon Tea Week: Healthiest Afternoon Tea

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that if I want to indulge in afternoon tea but not leave a restaurant or hotel feeling like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float that I would share my scones at Intercontintental Park Lane. Their Guiltless Afternoon Tea rocks. I was one of the first bloggers to enjoy this afternoon tea at the start of 2015 and still feel it was one of the best for the year.

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Creative

While One Aldwych naturally is in my favour because it’s in Covent Garden, this five-star and fabulous hotel has one of London’s most creative dining experiences, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea. The price is relatively low in comparison to other London venues, and the Cocktail Charlie is the best served cocktail I’ve seen in London.

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Royal

To have an afternoon tea fit for a Queen, you simply must head to St. James’ Court. Their 24 Karat Gold Afternoon Tea and Royal Afternoon Tea registers high on the regal scale. This tea features flakes of pure 24 karat gold in champagne. Their Royal afternoon tea has a scone recipe from Her Majesty.

Afternoon Tea Week: Best for Boys

There are not too many British men who spend their time in the Conservatory for tea unless it’s with a lovely lady. My recommendation to make sure your Peter Cottontail is always hopping down your bunny trail is to take him to the Playboy Club London. This is the only afternoon tea that Mr. Sunny attended with me in 2015, and I absolutely know that he was one happy bunny when he visited with me. Here is a shot of our server…

Afternoon Tea Week: Most British

Last year my most successful blog giveaway was the Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea. I really enjoyed the day I had the chance to review it. Coffee and tea at Fortnum and Mason has been famous for three centuries. For this reason, I recommend Fortnum and Mason for the most British Afternoon Tea.

Afternoon Tea Week: Best Twist

There are several Asian afternoon teas in London. However, the one I really love is at Tombo. Their afternoon tea with a Japanese twist is served from 3-5pm and rocks up at less than £13. While the value is amazing, the taste measures higher too. Tombo also has one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ teas I’ve attended in London.

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Victorian

My experience at Warren House this year during the onset of Spring in England is off the charts. This is mostly attributed to the staycation I experienced at Warren House. This Victorian manor house in Greater London will resonate as one of my lifetime favourites.

When I envision what British socialites do in Greater London, the afternoon tea experience at Warren House depicts it all. On a beautiful sunny day, there can not be a better place to share afternoon tea.

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Affordable

The final afternoon tea recommendation I have for my Sunny friends is what I consider the most affordable. Firmdale Hotels really hits hard when it comes to visual representation. But even more important is their taste factor. For this reason, if you want a ‘best afternoon tea for the value’ recommendation, I would say visit one of their hotels. I’ve had afternoon tea at their Charlotte Street Hotel and their Covent Garden Hotel and both offer amazing food for equally amazing value.

For more Afternoon Tea Week 2015 information and deals, you can check AfternoonTeas.co.uk.

Londoners, what afternoon teas have you attended that you would recommend for Afternoon Tea Week London 2015?

October 23, 2016 by: Sunny London

A Halloween Afternoon Tea at Lancaster London to Die For!

Who needs finger sandwiches when you can eat a severed finger eclair? Ha! Ha! Halloween is here! And the Halloween Afternoon Tea at Lancaster London leaves everything to the imagination!

When the hotel’s Executive Chef Ben Purton tweeted me to announce his latest creation, I had no idea how creepy it would be. The Halloween-themed ARTea Afternoon Tea is one you don’t want to miss. Let me show you why…

It kicks off in the hotel’s first floor Lounge Bar. Your table is covered in spider webs, skulls, and other sneaky surprises! The scary experience starts with a glass of Pommery champagne and your choice of afternoon tea served by a devilish dude fresh from a gruesome kitchen experience.

Ok, that’s a bit of a stretch. Our server tried really hard to be ‘scary’ to fit the mood created by the props and food in the Halloween afternoon tea. However, he was just too charming to be classified as terrifying to me and the ghoul friend who accompanied me.

After you are exposed to a few more tricks, it is time for treats. The food is delivered in a wooden box or ‘coffin’ that metaphorical represents the death of your diet for the day. It includes savoury classics with a fantastically frightful twist such as: Axe carved beef with horseradish; Smashed egg and crazy wild cress on blood bread; Cucumber coffins; and Devilled chorizo tartlets. The later was the favourite for my friend and me.

When you finish your savoury course, you need to let your server know you’re ready for the scones, as they are prepared fresh. No kidding, they arrive warm from the kitchen and are delightful! Well, that’s if you think you’ll enjoy pumpkin scones with cremated blood orange marmalade plus artists’ tubes of home-made strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream.

It’s certainly an interesting concept squeezing cream from a tube on to a scone. Surprisingly, we both enjoyed how it tasted. The texture of the scones, as is standard with all of the afternoon teas I have attended with Chef Ben, is bang on!

Finally, the end of the Halloween afternoon tea includes: Spider web lollipops; Shattered glass cupcakes; Frankenstein macaroons; and Bloodied finger éclairs.

Halloween Afternoon Tea: Final Thoughts

My hat goes off to Executive Chef Ben Purton for this fantastic creation. The tea is fun spirited and the extra creativity reflected in the menu and countless props is beyond what I have seen from an afternoon tea in London. He and his team truly have a unique concept that should’ve started well before October 17 this year. However, if you’re fast, you can get a table before the Halloween season dies.

I love that his Halloween afternoon tea has the best pour shot in all of London.

That happens when the tea is brought to your table and I would strongly advise you have your camera and phone ready to film! The dry ice effect does solidify this themed tea as the most extraordinary in London.

It’s available now at Lancaster London until 31 October 2016 from 2pm until 5.30pm each day. Priced at just £35 per person, the Halloween-themed ARTea Afternoon Tea is a steal for those who like fun and food in London.

We were guests of the hotel for our afternoon tea and this doesn’t affect our opinion of the experience. I became friends with Chef Ben through my blog several years ago, since the first inception of the London Bloggers’ Tea. Aside from having a gifted talent and passion for food, he is without a doubt the most personable chef in London. He’s also great fun to follow on Twitter.

Watch Lancaster London throughout the year as they host more Afternoon Teas tying in with special dates, movie releases and London events! And remember, missing this tea is a mistake that will haunt you forever!

November 20, 2021 by: Sunny London

Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London

Sunny friends, the Brigit’s Bakery Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London is the trifecta for London food lovers during the holidays!

This unique bus tour around London could tick all the boxes for a person who loves London, delicious food and Christmas.

Along with 29 other travel bloggers, I was invited to attend a special trip around London for the purpose of previewing the Brigit’s Bakery Christmas Afternoon Tea. For quite some time, I have wanted to take an afternoon tea tour on an iconic Routemaster bus with this company. When they first launched in 2014, I was a bit wary because I am not the most coordinated person. And while you wouldn’t think a lot of agility is needed to eat food, the thought of taking pictures and reviewing it at the same time is intimidating. But the more I saw the variety of tours they offer growing, the more I realised that the idea of a travelling tea was a smashing hit with people in London.

So this is how the experience goes…

christmas-afternoon-tea-on-a-bus-in-london-brigits-bakery

Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- The Food

This is the first category I want to tell you about because it is the biggest surprise for me. I rate the food 5 stars and this is why…

Not only is everything super tasty, but also it is really fresh. It is always disappointing when you go to a luxury hotel for afternoon tea and are served stale bread. No matter how decadent the pastries are during the last course, that crusty impression from the sandwiches stays with you.

Honestly, I had low expectations of the food going in to this afternoon tea. It didn’t seem probable that food could be prepared and transported on a bus to Victoria Station and maintain it’s original intent for quality and taste. Brigit’s Bakery has masterfully defeated this obstacle.

When we stepped on to the bus, all of the tables were beautifully set. This includes every food item except the basket of scones that we were served about half way through the journey.

To me, that’s a Christmas afternoon tea miracle!

Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- The Journey

This is where the experience could get a bit dicey, Sunny friends.

I had a blast on the journey and created a highlight video on my Instagram for you to see more of the experience.

However, there are a few things you need to consider before determining if this experience is for you. Foremost, let’s consider that you will be drinking.

We had complimentary Prosecco and several top ups each. This could be problematic for some people. While they advised us that we could enjoy the Prosecco before the tour started, it came with a disclaimer about the bus not stopping once it got rolling.

Do some quick processing about what that means, Sunny friends.

Next, there were cupholders at each place setting for guests to put their plastic Prosecco glasses, coffee or tea. They are there for a reason. The ride is bumpy and many times the bus stopped quickly, because that’s normal for busses navigating through London streets. I used a DJI Osmo Mobile Smartphone Gimbal which is on my UK Amazon Gear List (US Amazon readers find it here). I also applied Stabilisation effects while editing the video.

A few bloggers ended up with Prosecco on their lap at different times in the evening. I am not sure if it is because they were busy taking selfies and forgot to put their glasses in their cup holders or were just careless. But, I didn’t have any issue with spilling my drink. And, I had three glasses.

To be honest, since I have lived in London for 6 years and have reviewed nearly every attraction (check my trip planning guides if you are visiting London), I wasn’t that focused on sight seeing during our early evening trip. If this is your primary goal, the combination of afternoon tea and touring London might not be for you. Because the food is so good, you might be distracted away from the London landmarks.

Further, in a moving bus you won’t get the best focused pictures of these iconic locations. This is especially true if you are on the bus at night because you will catch some serious glare from the windows.

However, if you want to say you did something truly unique in London- riding a Routemaster bus while eating the most iconic meal in the UK- this afternoon tea is a must do!

But, if you think the journey would be too shaky, at the very least you can stop by their Covent Garden location. I walk by it all the time and it’s quite popular!

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Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- The Length

Another huge bonus of this afternoon tea on a bus in London is the fact that there is a clear end time. Assuming you don’t get stuck in any unusual traffic, you will know when your experience ends.

My biggest ‘negative factor’ with afternoon teas in London is their length. I have been held captive at luxury hotels for nearly three hours for this food experience. After indulging in a carb fest of sandwiches, scones and pastries, I generally feel uncomfortable and lethargic. Americans, when I say I feel like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float, you know what I mean!

If I could change anything about the traditional afternoon tea, it would be to speed up the process. So, being on the afternoon tea tour bus with Brigit’s Bakery for 90 minutes was a dream come true for me.

Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- Other Options

The Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is the first brand to do this type of bus tour in London. The best news for those who can’t go to the Christmas Afternoon Tea is that they have TONS of other options during the year. Some of them include:

Gin Lovers’ Afternoon Tea
Halloween Bus Tour
Cinco de Mayo
Mother’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Chelsea Flower Show
St Patrick Day
Movie Themed
Chinese New Year

They have these dietary options available:

Traditional Afternoon Tea
Vegan Afternoon Tea
Vegetarian Afternoon Tea
Halal Afternoon Tea
Gluten Free Afternoon Tea

For those living and/or working in London, they have delivery service as well!

Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- Final Thoughts

For the menu, prices, tour options and gift vouchers, it would be best to visit the Brigit’s Bakery website.

What do you think, Sunny friends? If you love food, travel and the holidays, would you put the Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus Tour in London on your list for Santa? What other unique food experiences have you had in a city?

And please, drop me any questions you have about my evening as a guest with Brigit’s Bakery too!

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February 16, 2019 by: Sunny London

London Landmarks Afternoon Tea Review- Town House Kensington

The London Landmarks afternoon tea is the one I have been waiting for since I arrived in London six years ago. If you take a look at my Instagram you will see clear evidence that I am a foodie traveler. The feed is a mix between fabulous food in London and shots of iconic landmarks. I just can’t resist taking pictures of the London Eye and Big Ben every time I see them.

So, when I received the press release that Town House Kensington was launching a London Landmarks Afternoon Tea, I immediately sent them an email expressing my interest in attending and sharing it with you- people who love food and London!

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Town House Kensington is responsible for one of the most successful afternoon teas in London, the Tale as Old as Time Afternoon Tea. Although I never attended, I mentioned it in my radio interview with CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg in December. I am not sure why they ended it, but I am glad they did because this new themed afternoon tea is the perfect match for anyone who loves London.

My experience was complimentary but that does not affect any of my thoughts. Overall, I feel the London Landmarks Afternoon Tea in London is well worth the £42 per person.

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London Landmarks Afternoon Tea- Presentation

One of the tea’s strengths is its visual appeal. Serving it on a stand that resembles the London Eye is genius. Naturally, the pastries are the focal point because they are made to look like a telephone box, Big Ben, the Gherkin and the Shard. However, you first are served Savouries which are not presented on the stand.

The Colston Bassett Stilton and broccoli quiche, Steak and London ale pie and Crab cake tartar sauce, caper are excellent. However, the sandwiches were the biggest surprise for me. Their presentation isn’t out of the ordinary, but their consistency and taste certainly are. You can see them at the top of the stand.

The obvious focus though is the pastries. Their design detail is really impressive. You are almost afraid to eat them. Almost.

London Landmarks Afternoon Tea- Taste

If I could have another round of any of the courses, it would be hard to choose one over another for different reasons. The sandwiches were so fresh in comparison to other teas around London.

They are: Campbells & Company smoked salmon, lovage pesto, cream cheese on brown bread, Coronation chicken on brown bread, Egg & cress bridge roll, Marinated cucumber, crème fraîche, pepper on white loaf. My favourite within them is Coronation Chicken because it is one of my favourite British food discoveries since living here. I think they mentioned it is the Queen’s recipe too.

The scones themselves were good but it was the Heather Hills strawberry jam that caught my attention. And if you’ve read any of my afternoon tea reviews, you know I never leave an ounce of clotted cream behind, so giving the jam a mention is a big deal for me.

The pastries are not only a hit because of their obvious resemblance to London Landmarks but also because they each had an element of surprise. For example, I certainly wasn’t expecting a bit of carrot cake inside the milk chocolate body of the Shard. And The Gherkin is filled with an explosion of beautiful dark chocolate ganache. Big Ben is actually a vertically positioned lemon curd tart and the front is a thin decorated biscuit.

My least favourite sweet was the telephone box but that is just because I do not like rhubard. However, the server introduced it was ‘refreshing’ and once I bit in to it, I realised his adjective was spot on!

London Landmarks Afternoon Tea- Final Thoughts

If you are visiting London for the first time and want a themed afternoon tea with a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere, then you can’t miss the London Landmarks Afternoon Tea at Town House Kensington.

Since 2014 I have enjoyed several experiences at Town House Kensington. The food and drinks have always been top quality, and the atmosphere is tranquil and luxurious. It’s nestled within the Kensington Hotel, which is part of the Doyle Collection. I haven’t ever stayed there, but the reviews on TripAdvisor are excellent. It is a place I recommend often to those who want to be within very close proximity of London’s best museums, and of course London Landmarks.

October 6, 2018 by: Sunny London

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London Potions Class at Cutter and Squidge

The Potions Class at Cutter and Squidge is one of the hottest events in London at the moment. Popularly referred to as the ‘Harry Potter Afternoon Tea’, it has people waiting months to get a seat. As a former high school assistant principal, I could not resist writing a review in the form of a lesson observation after attending the magical course at Cutter and Squidge in Soho, London. At the end of this afternoon tea review you can find a few tips for ‘students’ who want to attend this coveted ‘class’ in London.

Dear Potions Master,

Thank you for inviting me as a complimentary guest to your Potions Class for the purpose of a review. Your lesson objective to entertain and educate students about potions at the Cutter and Squidge secret School of Wizarding Alchemy was clear and constant throughout the evening.

Potions Class Strengths:

Foremost, your classroom management ticked all the right boxes. Systems for organisation are clearly in place. The first evidence of this is the email pupils receive upon event ticket confirmation. In it- they are directed to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class. All students followed this directive on the evening of my visit. Further, your assistants were visible outside the classroom at the designated time and made sure to have pupils enter via small groups down the stairs to your room.

They also clearly had the seating plan for the evening in advance. This ensured an organised and efficient process, which further allowed you to start and conclude your lesson as scheduled. Specifically, it is appreciated that these steps were necessary since the lesson took place in the bakery’s basement.

Without these steps in place, students could have been injured from pushing and shoving on the staircase due to their enthusiasm for the course. Upon entering the classroom students are given a place to hang their coat so they can quickly participate in the transformation to a wizard when they receive their cloak for the Potions Class. This also proves that you adhere to the Cutter and Squidge secret School of Wizarding Alchemy uniform policy.

Your class began on time, as promised. Places were set in advance accordance to the structure of the lesson plan. Students quickly found their wands near their seats and could easily access all tools necessary for the start of the class. For example, they had beakers with chemicals needed for their first activity, as well as plates and utensils for the food that followed.

You displayed your passion for teaching consistently through numerous appropriate jokes. Most notable are the ones about a particular franchise that can not be named. While students most likely choose the class because it is the closest thing to an actual Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London, you are careful not to make any direct references. Rather, the focus is on a wizard experience.

Throughout the lesson you keep students engaged when moving around to each of their desks, checking on their progress and making personal (and always professional) connections with them. Your evidence of this is in the surprise near the end of the lesson which includes each of these encounters. Students in the class are rewarded for their success in activities through the use of ‘dibbles.’ The items they can choose with them at the end of the lesson definitely encourage them to return to Cutter and Squidge for more inspiration and indulgence.

When students are creating Galaxy Juice, their first chemical mixture, you are keen to provide information about each ingredient and the order in which it needs to be poured to guarantee correct taste and appearance of the potion.

Classroom management is again supported with strategies of differentiated learning. Students are allowed to choose their choice of tea and diet preferences. Specifically, this is evidenced in the care you take to provide food options that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free and child friendly.

You had a strong engagement from students during the entire lesson. To prepare students for questions, you met with them quickly and privately to give them time to consider an answer before being called upon in front of the whole group. This builds their confidence, makes sure they are not embarrassed in front of the class, and keeps the entertaining momentum of your lesson strong.

harry-potter-afternoon-tea-london-potions-class-cutter-squidge-bakery-review

The Potions Master

Your assistants had knowledge of how to serve the afternoon tea portion of the lessons in a timely fashion to all students and took their various drink orders quickly. With regard to the content of the food for the afternoon tea, it receives outstanding marks in taste and visual appearance. Students had adequate time to enjoy all the tasty food and make conversation with their peers.

The atmosphere in the classroom also reflects the themed Harry Potter afternoon tea well. This is evidenced in the teacher’s desk and countless wizard tools and memorabilia placed on the walls and desks.

Potions Class: Area for Improvement

While the lesson is entertaining, moves at a good pace and features delicious food, there is one small area for improvement. You are commended on making sure students handle wands carefully and know where to put them at the end of the class. This direction ensures that the general public are not at risk from the occasional naughty student who would try to take them from the room and use them in an unsupervised environment. However…

You should research the possibility of having students wear safety goggles or glasses during their lesson. I do appreciate that you will need to explore if this addition to the lesson would cause any copyright infringement on the franchise that shall not be named. I look forward to learning what you discover in this suggested area. I have made a few suggestions below.

Potions Class: Final Assessment

Thank you for inviting me to have this experience. It will be one I highly recommend to colleagues and any individual who inquires about Harry Potter themed activities in London.

My advice to future students in the Potions Class, AKA ‘Harry Potter Afternoon Tea’ in London is below.

Kind regards,

Headmistress Sunny in London

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 1

Don’t be late! As detailed above, the class features an entertaining and delicious experience. You really would be naughty and deserve to stand with your nose in the corner if you arrive late and ruin it for others.

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 2

Play along. The Potions Class is a themed Harry Potter Afternoon Tea. If you don’t openly or secretly want to be a wizard, skip it. You will need to recite chants, wave your wand and have an open heart about participation to truly enjoy the experience. In fact, I will candidly say that Death Eaters are NOT invited!

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 3

Save room for dessert. The class features surprises in all shapes. Be sure to plan on a non-stop food feast. If you aren’t in to sweets, you should get on your broomstick and fly somewhere else, Sunny friends.

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 4

Book early. I am not kidding above when I say this Potions Class in London is a tough one to score a seat. Plan well in advance for your visit and go to their website as soon as you can to check availability.

For all the Harry Potter themed activities in London visit the Sunny in London Harry Potter Guide for Visiting London. And of course, leave your questions and ideas about all things Harry Potter in London below in the comments! But please know the Potions Class is full of surprises. I was careful not to ruin any in this review and am counting on the same from you too. However, if you follow my Instastories, you would have seen some fantastic views and videos of the experience!

Class dismissed 😉

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