AFTERNOON TEA – Page 2

June 2, 2016 by: Sunny London

InterContinental London Park Lane Afternoon Tea

Where can you go in London to have an absolutely Royal tea? The InterContinental London Park Lane afternoon tea which launched May 26 and will run until June 30, 2016 is the latest edition of this popular British meal honouring Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday. It’s the Royal-tea, and it’s delicious when paired with a Pimm’s Royale cocktail. You know, if you’re in to having a bit of booze with your bites. 😉

After my friend and I arrived for the newest InterContinental London Park Lane afternoon tea, we were handed those two lovely drinks you see above. Since Kir Royale is one of my favourite drinks (because it combines champagne and Chambord), I was curious to try this new cocktail at the hotel. And here is a big confession, I’ve lived in England three years and have never had Pimm’s!

As the official Hotel of the The Patron’s Lunch, the InterContinental London Park Lane has teamed-up with fellow event Partner Pimm’s to create an Afternoon Tea that celebrates Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday and a lifetime dedicated to service.

The Pimm’s Royale cocktail certainly sets the tone for a summery selection of pretty English classics fit for a Queen. Of course, there is tons of food to follow. Let’s start with the sandwiches!

The five Finger sandwiches don’t venture too far from the standard afternoon tea options. I love that our server suggested we eat them in a certain order, beginning with the softest taste to the strongest. The last he suggested to eat is the free range Coronation chicken served with apricots; a modern take on the dish created for The Queen’s coronation banquet in 1953. I was relieved at this because I always save the best or my favourite for last, and if you’ve read my previous London afternoon tea reviews on the blog, you know I love Coronation chicken!

If anyone has a really good recipe, please send me an email. I’ve pinned a few on my British Recipes Pinterest board, but would love to receive one specifically from a reader. Oh hey, InterContinental London Park Lane, that means you too! I’d love to have this formula for the food I had at the afternoon tea. 😉

Warm sultana and buttermilk scones are followed by a fashionable plate of mini-desserts featuring ‘The Queen’s Hat’ Tipsy cake, a vanilla sponge soaked in Pimm’s, and “The Queen’s Summer Garden Party,” a Champagne and gooseberry fool.

Different from the Pimm’s Royale cocktail, I didn’t taste any strong alcohol flavour in the Queen’s Tipsy Hat. It certainly was my favourite on the top tier you see above.

Royal-Tea: Final Thoughts

This InterContinental London Park Lane afternoon tea is certainly summery and celebratory. I would suggest if you go on a particularly hot, sunny day that you try to eat the cakes as quickly as possible. Ours sat on the table for quite a while, so they may have lost their ‘wow’ factor once we ate them because they had melted a bit and were sticking to the plate.

The Patron’s Launch

In keeping with the mission of The Patron’s Lunch, a portion of the Royal-Tea proceeds will benefit The Patron’s Fund, a newly created charitable fund that will provide a tangible legacy on the occasion of The Queen’s 90th birthday.The Patron’s Lunch will see The Mall transformed for its largest ever street party and celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organizations. 10,000 guests will enjoy a quintessentially British celebration at this iconic London location.

You can find out more about the InterContinental London Park Lane afternoon tea and what else the luxury hotel offers on their website. Or, you can always check their amazing reviews on TripAdvisor too. Don’t forget, I’ve rated their Guiltess Afternoon Tea as one of the best in London, if you want gluten free and ‘good for you.’ It’s free of refined sugar and carefully created with all natural nutrient-filled ingredients.

Our afternoon tea was complimentary for the purpose of a review.

May 19, 2016 by: Sunny London

Grosvenor House Afternoon Tea for the Queen’s Birthday

Looking for ways to join Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday celebrations in London? Add the Grosvenor House Afternoon Tea might to your royal birthday bucket list.

Recently, a friend and I had the opportunity to experience this delight as we dined in the newly refurbished Park Room at The Grosvenor House a JW Marriott Hotel.

A visit to the Mayfair area of London is always a treat for me. Its exclusive atmosphere and rising restaurant scene make it one of the most intriguing districts in London for those who have a taste for luxury. Therefore, when an invitation to have a complimentary try of a five-star Mayfair hotel’s latest launch of a themed afternoon tea arrived, it didn’t take long to send my psoitive RSVP.

The Park Room at Grosvenor House exudes sophistication while showing an airy, contemporary design. The beautiful views which overlook the Royal Hyde Park are tough to beat on a sunny day. Having a table next to a window is particularly brilliant. Everything really popped in to place for us when we were served this beautiful palette cleansing ‘drink’…

I don’t wish to be repetitive, but, you really do need to see a 360º view of this sizzling treasure. So, below are two more angles in which I want you to pay particular attention to what’s dancing around the white chocolate centerpiece.

I can’t reveal the secret ingredients, but I will say that when combined in your mouth with the silky drink you see, an explosion takes place. Literally.

For my American readers, you’ll relate to the ‘pop rocks’ carbonated candy that triggers a fizzy reaction when placed on your tongue. The tickly sensation that happens when you eat this ring of candy is an extraordinary surprise to the start of the Grosvenor House afternoon tea.

Of course, the ultimate adult bubbles quickly follow if you choose the champagne version of the tea. If you’re a regular Sunny blog reader, you know what picture is on its way.

My friend’s drink is the rosé. Both are Ruinart champagne and both evaporated in our hands nearly as fast as the white chocolate candy loops.

Not soon after, a Selection of Finger Sandwiches arrived including:
– Coronation Chicken
– Cucumber with Minted Butter
– Honey Roast Yorkshire Ham with Colman’s English Mustard
– Coldwater Prawns with Marie Rose Sauce

You probably already guessed that the Coronation Chicken was my favourite. In fact, another reason I jumped so fast for this opportunity is because I was nearly certain that the Grosvenor House afternoon tea honouring the Queen would include this type of finger sandwich. It is my favourite British food, next to Mr. Sunny’s Toad in the Hole recipe.

Tea sandwich shots don’t really create a buzz on Instagram, but this next one sure does! This is the tray full of open sandwiches for us to try and it includes: Formans Smoked Scottish Salmon with Cream Cheese and Prawn, Burford Brown Clarence Court Egg Mayonnaise with Cress.

Did you notice the salmon is presented in the shape of roses? That’s one clever chef!

Next, we enjoyed Plain and Raisin Buttermilk Scones with Devonshire Clotted Cream. What is striking about this part of the Grosvenor House afternoon tea is the choice of British jams. They are: strawberry, gooseberry, raspberry, rose petal, blackcurrant, rhubarb and ginger. I usually try to pile on as much cream as possible, but on this occasion I was equally as interested in the rose petal jam. It gets an A* from me.

I’d say that the final round of food is the assortment of seasonal Royal afternoon tea pastries. However, it’s not the final act. The tasty treats include: The Queen’s chocolate biscuit cake, Silver Jubilee strawberry and White peach pavlova, Cherry and “Zaza” Dubonnet Jelly, Fresh English Raspberry and jam shortbread, Windsor honey and apricot Dundee Cake. Each have a unique story which reflects the Queen’s preference.

Our favourite was the chocolate biscuit cake. Finishing this plate is tough, especially if you take advantage of the additional offering of finger sandwiches like I did. However, the last round of food includes selecting a fresh home baked caked from the table in the centre of Park Room.

Since we figured it would absolutely be rude not too, each of us chose a cake to finalise our Grosvenor House Afternoon Tea experience. I mean- you wouldn’t want to offend the Queen now would you? 😉

Chocolate cake and Victorian Sponge Cake at its finest. My friend and I struggled to take the final bites, not because they weren’t delicious, but because like the pop rocks, our waist lines were starting to explode after all the sweet treats.

The Grosvenor House Afternoon Tea in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday is offered at £42.50 without champagne. It’s priced well against other 5-star hotels’ themed afternoon tea in my opinion. Initially, I felt the presentation for two people was a bit light. However, between the extra finger sandwiches and home baked table cakes, I changed this opinion when I realised my eyes were much bigger than my stomach.

If you’re seeking an elegant ambiance in Mayfair to celebrate this royal event, then the Grosvenor House afternoon tea is certainly worthy of your time.

What celebrations for the Queen’s Birthday can you recommend, Sunny friends?

April 10, 2016 by: Sunny London

Langham Afternoon Tea Review with Pastry Chef Cherish Finden

What sets apart the Langham Afternoon Tea that just launched in London? There are two clear reasons why I am going to declare that the new Wedgwood Afternoon Tea as my favourite in town. Not only is it lavish and laced with Laurent Perrier champagne, but also it is gorgeous inside and out.

In Autumn I attended and enjoyed the opening party for the refurbished Palm Court restaurant, so naturally when the invitation email arrived to taste the Langham afternoon tea that is inspired by classic Wedgwood collections, I quickly replied, ‘Yes, please!’

At this party, I had the opportunity with other guests to sample many delectables a week prior to the public’s chance to book the experience. Also, we had the chance to meet celebrity chef, Cherish Finden and learn the secrets behind her inspiration.

It is based on the food and personal encounter with the Executive Pastry Chef that I really wanted to go back to the luxury hotel to have the full afternoon tea. On a recent afternoon, Fiona (the creator of London Unattached who has a very exciting project on the way) and I sat for three hours savoring each and every morsel we were served at Palm Court.

Langham Afternoon Tea- Taste Journey

First to arrive is the pre-dessert of apricot and natural yoghurt panna cotta. We were warned that there had been complaints about this dish. Guests felt it was just too small. How cheeky! 😉 After trying it, I agree that I could’ve eaten several rounds. It’s soft, sexy and light. However, it is designed to be a palette cleanser. It sure does pair well with the ultimate meal starter, Laurent Perrier champagne.

Next, on your plate for the Langham afternoon tea are sandwiches conceived by Head Chef of The Langham, Chris King. These include: Truffled duck egg brioche, Smoked salmon asparagus and rye, Cucumber with cream cheese and chives, Peppered beef pastrami with red Leicester coleslaw and Corn-fed chicken with golden sultana on carrot bread.

Since Fiona and I opted for the High Tea with Wedgwood, we also had the choice among:

‘Oeuf poché à la reine’ – chicken and foie gras brioche
Smoked salmon tartare, Beefeater gin dressing, keta caviar
Girolle mushroom, spinach and duck egg tartlet

I selected the Smoked salmon, and she chose the egg tartlet.

Once you finish the dainty plain and raisin scones, the pastry course arrives. The beauty of the butterfly and daisy motifs which signify the start of spring and changing season surround these sugary treats. They are:

The ‘Paisley Parcel’- a moist chocolate offering enhanced with Kahlua and double espresso. An amaretto taste is also incorporated and the ‘icing on the cake’ represented by white chocolate buttons with a bespoke white and blue paisley Wedgwood design.
The ‘Butterfly Bloom’ takes inspiration from the Wedgwood collection of the same name, featuring a buttery shortbread tower with salted caramel. Two hand crafted butterflies at its peak represent the bloom of spring and the new florals blossoming.
The ‘Yuzu for You’ offers an exciting mixture of the sweetness from the Langham No. 150 chocolate balanced with the acidity of the ‘yuzu’, a citrus fruit originating in East Asia. A kick of chocolate is added with the Langham’s bespoke ‘No. 150’ chocolate. The taste is rounded off with a crunchy chocolate sable.
The Wedgwood Wild Strawberry comprises of a wild strawberry ‘pâte de fruit’ and pistachio cream macaroon, replicating the ‘Wedgwood Wild Strawberry’ design.
The ‘Hathaway Rose’ incorporates Lemon Victoria sponge, with a raspberry and lime jam.

What sets the new Langham afternoon tea apart from all the afternoon teas I have had in London is the sensory journey. Once your pastry reaches your mouth it seems to move through steps of flavours that erupt in waves. While Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden announced this as her intention at the launch party, I wasn’t sure how that would unfold until I tried the pastries.

Mission accomplished!

The Butterfly Bloom is my top choice, however, all were scrumptious. I picked this one because it seems as though the delicate shortbread melts in your mouth as it releases soft doses of salted caramel around your tongue. Mmmmmmm. I get weak just thinking of it again.

To show you an even closer look at the secrets behind the Langham afternoon tea realms of delight, look inside the Yuzu for You to see what I mean.

Finally, just when we thought the extraordinary taste journey of food was over, we were offered these little final treats.

Easily, Fiona and I give the new Langham afternoon tea two thumbs up.

Langham Afternoon Tea- The Celebrity Chef

Part of the allure for this afternoon tea is also the celebrity chef. Cherish Finden is currently featuring as a lead judge on ‘Bake Off: Crème de La Crème’ broadcasting on BBC2 on Tuesdays. Having met her at both the launch party and the day the afternoon tea officially launched to the public, I feel she is truly one of the most remarkable chefs in London.

While she has many reasons to be confident, her approachable demeanor and positive affect make the experience of meeting her humbling. As a girl who grew up living on a Florida beach and not being exposed to such wordly culture and culinary delights, the fact that a chef in a five star hotel in London would be eager to take a picture with me and care what I think of her afternoon tea is remarkable. If you have the opportunity to meet this stunning individual, I can assure you she will make you feel the same. Not just smart and talented, Cherish Finden is energetic and immediately likeable. She has a loyal following of aspiring chefs that she mentors too.

However, we can’t forget Anna Russell, a friend of Queen Victoria. The Duchess of Bedford is credited for creating afternoon tea as a meal because she couldn’t wait until late evening for dinner to be served. For this reason, she started enjoying afternoon tea to bridge the gap between breakfast and dinner. Since, the Langham London Palm Court is famed as the birthplace of afternoon tea, it’s fitting that the Duchess is represented as well.

The new collection is priced at £49 per person, £59 per person including a glass of N.V Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne and £64 per person including a glass of N.V Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne Rosé. It is available from 6^th April with sittings at 1:00pm, 3:15pm and 5:30pm.

My experiences were complimentary for the purpose of a review. However, surely once you try the Langham afternoon tea, you will easily see why I hurried back for seconds. 😉 It’s beautiful appearance and taste from a passionate and glowing Executive Pastry Chef make this meal one of my top suggested experiences in London.

September 28, 2014 by: Sunny London

Conrad London St James Afternoon Tea Christmas Blogtacular!

What made 28 bloggers line up faster than the New York City Rockettes for a Christmas Spectacular Show? The Conrad London St James Afternoon Tea Christmas sneak preview!

That’s right, Sunny friends! You’ve seen my previous posts which show the fantastic #LDNBloggersTea group to which I belong:
– Royal Horseguards Afternoon Tea with 20 English Roses!
– The Ampersand Hotel, Science Tea and Chemistry!
– Run to the Milestone Hotel Afternoon Tea!

Thanks to Selena the Places, today we kicked our blogger heels up for this spectacular, ultra luxurious Christmas afternoon tea. And, I am sharing all the delicious pictures, right here, right now!

Hold on tight, because Santa Claus is Comin’ to London Town!We started the afternoon with flowing Laurent-Perrier champagne. And for the first time ever on Sunny in London, I’ll say I wished the London weather outside would’ve been frightful! What could be better than being trapped in a snowstorm with 27 other fabulous bloggers in a posh London hotel with flowing Laurent-Perrier?
Let it snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

As if the bubbly wasn’t enough to get our blogger bells jingling, we also had the gorgeous sounds of a harp balancing our social chatter.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even…

Oh who am I kidding….

With the beautiful display that Conrad London St James created for us to tease our pallets, we were all stirring!
Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Instagram and Twitter…

Oops! I don’t think those last two were reindeer 😉

Champagne introductions! #LDNBloggersTea @conradhotels pic.twitter.com/VSVpCgLqYZ
— Alyssa James (@aaljames) September 28, 2014

A preview of the Christmas #afternoontea at @ConradHotels St. James. How cute is the dessert?!#LDNBloggersTea pic.twitter.com/1jZT0xxw0l
— Jess Dante (@Jess_inLondon) September 28, 2014

I love team work… whilst @ShabbyChicLND take pictures. I eat scones and drink champagne! #LDNBloggersTea pic.twitter.com/3vMSEK1uMj
— Paula (@Ampola) September 28, 2014

We took our seats at the tables and started to feast. I felt like a Who in Whoville, even though there was no Who-pudding or rare Who-roast beast.
(Sorry, I just couldn’t help throwing in that old picture of me with The Grinch at Islands of Adventure Florida, because today it was just Florida HOT in London town!!! We were all melting from the heat as we entered the tea.)

Conrad London St James Christmas afternoon tea prepared by Chef Ashley is simply spectacular! Sunny friends, it becomes available on November 24th.

Here’s the menu:

Christmas Tea Menu

A Selection of Savouries
Brussel sprout salad
Turkey ballotine
Venison bite
Smoked salmon & lemon crème fraiche
Cured gammon & mustard
Beetroot & spinach

Freshly Baked Orange and Cranberry and Christmas Spice Scones
served with Devonshire clotted cream, homemade strawberry jam and blackberry curd

We really appreciated the chance to meet Chef Zoe and to learn about what inspired the menu. She floated around to each table numerous times to talk about the menu.

When I asked her what inspired her to create such a unique Christmas tea, she indicated it was about feeling and dimension.

She said she wants people to feel as if they’re peering through a snowy window or swirling in a snow globe…
What do you think, Sunny friends? I have to say, in person this afternoon tea was BRILLIANT!

After we finished the sandwiches and scones, the sweets danced like sugar plum fairies on the table.

Cakes and Pastries
Winter berry Christmas tree
Chocolate orange Battenberg present
Snowflake macaroon
White forest yule log
Christmas postcard marshmallows
Mini meringue snowmen
Edible Snow

Oh yeah, ‘Frosty the Snowman WAS a jolly, happy soul’ I sang to myself as I munched mercilessly on the edible snow. Gulp!

That meringue little man melted so fast in my mouth I kind of felt bad. Well… not really. 😉

If you’re really looking to have a holly, jolly Christmas, then this afternoon tea in London should be on the top of your holiday list of things to do. Not only is the food super delicious, but also the hotel is new too.

We had our afternoon tea at Emmeline’s, which can be hired privately for up to 60 guests. The light and airy ambiance was perfect for gathering 28 very, very excited bloggers.

It was formerly the Westminster Intercontinental and only recently changed to the Conrad London St James. It’s situated in London’s political heartland and invites global luxury travelers to experience a sophisticated environment with locally inspired style and design.

This is the Tom Clark sculpture which welcomes guests in the lobby. It depicts the common working man with Parliament on his shoulder.
Other politically themed animations and 3-D caricatures are seen throughout the reception and dining areas on the ground floor.

The hotel also features ‘the division bell’ found only in selected properties around Parliament. Conrad London St James is located at 22-28 Broadway SW1H 0BH. The Christmas Snow Scene Afternoon Tea is £37. The Christmas Snow Scene Afternoon Tea with Free-flowing Laurent-Perrier Champagne is £45.00.

London’s most iconic landmarks are within walking distance of the Conrad London St James. However, I would like to extend a very big thank you to someone who is an icon in the London blogger world. Selena, you have truly built a fabulous network of international bloggers through all the past three years.

We announced today that she’s passing the blogger torch to me for the coordination of the future #LDNBloggersTea.

If you’d like to join this group, watch my Twitter account for an announcement regarding the next #LDNbloggersTea. It’s a great way to meet other bloggers and make friends. For example, today, I finally got to meet Shikha from Why Waste Annual Leave!

You can always comment below to make sure I put you on the list. Naughty or nice, I will check it twice! And, if you’re on Triberr, I’ve also started a London Bloggers Tribe for us as well. Join it!

And just before I close this post, I want to give a big high five to all the London bloggers at today’s Conrad London St James Afternoon Tea Christmas preview! See you on November 30th for our next #LDNBloggersTea!Visit here for reviews and rates of the Conrad London St James hotel.

October 29, 2015 by: Sunny London

Christmas Afternoon Tea at Conrad London St James

With so many hotels and restaurants offering a Christmas afternoon tea in London, how can you possibly make a decision on where to go?

Last year, I was invited to and enjoyed so many that I even hit three afternoon teas in one week!

Needless to say, the Christmas season left me feeling a bit heavy but with a strong idea of what London has to offer when it comes to Christmas afternoon tea.

While you may think it’s a bit premature to announce this year’s stand out afternoon tea for the holiday season, I am going to do it- right now.

If you are looking for an afternoon tea during the holidays that captures the essence of the range of the culinary experience, you need to book a table for the Conrad London St James Snow Queen Afternoon Tea offered in Emmeline’s Lounge.

I had the opportunity to enjoy this Christmas afternoon tea at the press launch recently with blogger friends Aftab at Fresh and Fearless and Suze from Luxury Columnist.

Last year, you may remember the #LDNBLoggersTea hosted at Conrad London St James, which was a huge London blogger event. While at the Christmas afternoon tea preview, I spent some time speaking with Chef Zoe Wager, the Head Pastry Chef at the luxury hotel.

After seeing her exquisite work two years in a row, I feel confident in saying that she, Sunny friends, is the Queen of the Christmas Afternoon Tea in London.

Why?

She masterfully uses her culinary skills to not only create exquisite food combinations but also tell a story with her work.

When I interviewed her last year regarding how she approached the competitive Christmas afternoon tea offerings in London, she indicated she wanted the tea to represent the feeling of looking out a snow covered window.

This year, when Chef Zoe came to my table, I was honoured once again by her eagerness to talk. Immediately, I asked her about the noticeable difference in this year’s Christmas afternoon tea against last year’s- the colour. Knowing her depth of thought she puts in to this luxury hotel afternoon tea, I asked her to tell me this year’s story.

She immediately indicated that colour was a bit of her inspiration. Chef Zoe wants to avoid the cliche Christmas snowmen, reindeer and Santa Claus this year. Instead, she felt guided by the Snow Queen, an original fairy tale written by Hans Christian Anderson. This story centers on the struggle between good and evil.

To the novice eye, she may appear to have jumped on the Frozen marketing sleigh.

However, the Snow Queen story is about an evil troll who makes a magic mirror which distorts the appearance of everything it reflects. How? It magnifies the ugly and bad, rather than showing the good and beautiful aspects of people.

One might argue there’s a metaphoric connection with the mirror and the effects of too much champagne consumption. 😉

Rather than labour through the rest of the story details, I want to show how every bite of the Conrad London St James Snow Queen Afternoon Tea tells this story through food and ambiance.

While we were there, Emmeline’s Lounge was transformed in to a fairy tale atmosphere with a mystical indigo lighting.

Did this disturb our pictures?

That, perhaps, depends on which interpretation of the mirror you see. 😉

As the servers floated through the room, they shared more selections from the hotel’s Christmas afternoon tea. Again, we were often served the story through reflections, showing how Chef Zoe breaks the Snow Queen’s magic mirror into icy blue sugar shards…

This Christmas afternoon tea at the Conrad London St James is not one to miss if you want to experience holiday food served with a story and incredible luxury ambiance. To transcend yourself in to the Christmas spirit of a winter wonderland fairy tale, this hotel (which has excellent ratings on TripAdvisor) is where you should go.

The Snow Queen Christmas Afternoon Tea menu includes:

Selection of Savouries

London cured smoked salmon blini, caviar, lemon creme fraiche
Mint tartlet of cropwell bishop stilton, poached pear and walnuts
Prawn cocktail, marie rose
Selection of finger sandwiches

Cakes and Pastries

Snowstorm
Coconut cream, mint macaroon, candy floss
The Magic Mirror
Salted butter shortbread, yogurt cream, frosted blueberries, sugar shards
Snow Queen’s Sceptre
Chocolate and pearl sponge, praline ganache dipped in chocolate, snoflake lace
Palace Snowflakes
Blackcurrant and cardamom cake, crushed glittering meringue, silver snowflake
Blackberry Kisses
Creme Patisserie and blackberries

Freshly Baked Plain and Raisin Scones
Served with Devonshirt clotted cream, homemade strawberry jam and mix berries curd

Aside from a selection of teas, for £55 a person, there is also free flowing champagne. It’s important to note that each table has a 1 hour and 30 minutes time allocation so guests don’t get too entranced in the winter fairy tale. The Snow Queen Christmas Afternoon Tea is offered November 23 – February 11.

Which Christmas afternoon tea in London inspires you, Sunny friends? What’s on your holiday agenda? If you need suggestions for this year’s Christmas season, don’t miss my Top 10 BEST Things to Do In London at Christmas list.

September 15, 2014 by: Sunny London

An Afternoon Tea Giveaway approved by the Queen!

If you’re interested in an afternoon tea giveaway that is endorsed by Her Royal Highness, keep reading Sunny friends! This week Sunny in London has partnered with Zomato to offer one of the most spectacular liquid sunshine giveaways available in London! And to win it, you just have to do something very simple. Here’s the details…

One lucky winner will be chosen to receive a £90 voucher for two to enjoy Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

Three reasons why I am offering this afternoon tea giveaway:

1. Fortnum and Mason is one of the world’s finest department stores.

It was founded in 1707 and has a long-standing regal history. It has served royalty for more than three centuries. Her Majesty the Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cambridge were all present to open the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum and Mason in 2012. For her grand visit, the Queen even matched her dress to the store’s signature blue colour with accents of gold.

Fortnum and Mason has supported British military since Napoleonic Wars. They send military parcels filled with British home comforts from their department store. For the Diamond Jubilee, they filled tins with tea and clotted cream and shipped them to 18,000 military members.

2. Zomato is a website that rocks for learning about what’s happening in the restaurant world.

It’s best described as ‘Facebook meets Urbanspoon’. If you haven’t visited and joined yet, take a peak at my profile. You can see a user’s Activity, read his/her Reviews, look at the user’s Network of followers and people he/she follows, and create Wishlists of places to eat.

Zomato makes it easy to network with foodies in London and around the world. Plus, they have organised events for those who are contributors and love food. Finally, as you can see, this is just one example of the gold star giveaways they do. This month they’re also including ones to The Gallery, The Fountain & St Pancras.

Who doesn’t looooove a food giveaway????

3. My experience at the Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason.

Before agreeing to do this afternoon tea giveaway, I made sure to explore every bit of the experience, down to the final sugary crumb. If you’re curious just how amazingly British and delicious it is, make sure you read every morsel of my full review that I posted last week. Well, that’s if you can handle mouth-watering pictures of pastries and other afternoon tea delights. 😉

Also, you can visit Zomato for all the reviews of Fortnum and Mason’s afternoon tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

How to win this Afternoon Tea Giveaway:

Just visit the Sunny in London Twitter account and find/retweet this message:

Win a £90 voucher at @Fortnums Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon! Just RT & follow @sunny_in_london & @zomato http://wp.me/p3Ya9o-1cm #ZoFortnums

You have until Friday (September 19, 2014) at 5:00pm (GST) for the retweet.

The winner will be announced shortly after that time. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon £90 afternoon tea for two voucher will expire on October 31, 2014.

If you win, don’t forget to visit Zomato to pour your love on to their site by writing a review. They also have an app (which I use several times a day) that you can download.

Good luck, Sunny tea-drinking friends!

September 8, 2014 by: Sunny London

Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea- Join Angie and Me!

What’s more British than the Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea? Not much, Sunny friends. Not much. And thanks to Zomato, I had the chance to enjoy it recently with one of my favourite British bloggers, Angie from Silverspoon London. But the best part is, I’ll be offering the opportunity to a lucky reader next week!

So, why is Fortnum and Mason such a cherished part of British culture?

Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea- History and Interesting Facts

-1707, Royal footman William Fortnum set up shop in St. James’s with his landlord, Hugh Mason. Fortnum’s family came to London from Oxford as high-class builders in the wake of the Great Fire, helping to establish the St. James’s and Mayfair areas as the most fashionable in London.

-1744, When India was brought to the British empire, so was the introduction of the world’s finest teas. Around this time London was becoming the centre of the world for trade. Fortnum’s was a unique emporium for goods sold nowhere else.

-1773, The Boston Tea Party takes place in America, which brings international attention to the value of tea drinking. And, much to the pleasure of this American girl, is this statement about the Boston Tea Party on the Fortnum and Mason website:

‘It is not on record who supplied the tea, but it was probably not us: we have never charged extortionate prices and none of our teas do at all well with salt water. Since Independence, though, our American cousins have been among our most loyal customers.’

-1800’s, The shop helps the army march ‘on its stomach’ to victory over Napoleon. The brand becomes a household name and is featured in the works of Charles Dickens and Henry James. During the Crimean War, Queen Victoria sends an order to dispatch Fortnum’s beef tea to Miss Nightingale when she learns of scandal in England’s hospitals.

Fortnum and Mason is now the leader in tinned goods. American, Henry J Heinz, brings samples of baked beans to Fortnum. You guessed it… that’s how the Brits have baked beans!

– 1900’s, The Department store thrives. It supports employees and officers during both World Wars. The Fortnum clock, with bells from the same foundry as Big Ben, is added to the front of the store.

2011, The world’s largest Scotch egg is created in the Fortnum demonstration kitchen.

2012, HM Queen Elizabeth II visits the store to open the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Also attending are the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge.

2013, Fortnum’s opens at St Pancras International Station.

That’s a pretty impressive timeline. Don’t you think? I condensed it quite a bit from their webpage. They’ve been in the tea business for over 300 years!

Needless to say, when I saw on the booking confirmation, ‘Dress Code: We kindly request that guests dress smartly’ I understood why. When one has the opportunity to attend such a prestigious engagement steeped in history, one should mind the dress code!

So, Angie and I showed up in our beautiful dresses ready for a luxurious Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea, fit for a Queen!

I selected the traditional afternoon tea.

Angie chose the Savoury tea.

Our sandwiches were the same. They included: Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Rare Roast Beef and Cafe de Paris Butter, Fortnum’s Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Cream, and Rare Breed Hen Egg and Mustard Cress.

Next, we had our scones. My tea included a plain scone and a raisin scone. They were scrumptious and came with a separate tiered dish just for the clotted cream and Fortnum’s preserves.

Angie’s afternoon tea had a Lemon and Dill Scone with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese. And it had a Pea and Mint Scone with Bayonne Ham.

Our top tiers were very, very different. Since I have a sweet tooth that has no shame, I finished every one of these delicate patisseries. And yes, those are gold flakes on the chocolate and a rose petal on the eclair.

Angie’s final level included Leek and Bacon Tart with Thyme, Oeufs Drumkilbo, and Chicken Liver and Foie Gras Shortbread.

To say everything was delicious is an understatement. After finishing every morsel on my plates, I couldn’t eat another bite. So, the biggest surprise for me was being able to take a piece of cake home! It’s always an extra sunny treat to leave with a sweet! I picked a slice of this beauty…

Angie chose a big chunk of chocolate as a take home present for Mr. Silver.

Aside from the standard Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea menu, you can also order from their special menu. It includes Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, Diabetic and Gluten Intolerant. So, there’s pretty much no dietary excuse in the world for not attending this regal afternoon tea.

You can make reservations for the Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea very easily by simply clicking on Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Times are on Monday to Saturday: 12 noon- 7pm and Sunday: 12noon- 6pm. Also, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, Drawing Room and Tea Tasting Room are available for private dining.

Fortnum and Mason is located just a short walk from either Green Park or Piccadilly Circus underground stations at 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER.

And fellas, if you’re interested in making your special lady feel like a Queen for the day, Fortnum’s features gift cards for afternoon tea that you can purchase on their website! Or if you can’t make it to London and you just want some of their delicious tea, it’s available for order on their website.

So, via Zomato I’m going to be offering a giveaway for Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea from September 15-19 on Sunny in London. You’ll definitely have to keep an eye out for it! Until then, be sure to follow me – Sunny in London – on Zomato.com

I really enjoyed my afternoon with Angie and at Fortnum and Mason. My only complaint is that I found numerous people not dressed appropriately. It was disappointing to see so many people sitting for afternoon tea in jeans and trainers. Please, please, Sunny friends, if you are invited or decide to go to an event that so clearly requests smart dress, follow suit! It’s just the respectful thing to do.

What afternoon teas do you enjoy in London? Have you ever been disappointed by the decorum of others at formal events?

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?

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. These are their links: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 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 😉

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 also follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 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?