AFTERNOON TEA – Page 2

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.

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 😉

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.

You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

To really appreciate the hotel stay I had at Warren House, grab a glass of champagne or your favourite tea and enjoy this video of my Victorian visit…

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 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. 😉

You can follow the St James Court, a Taj Hotel, on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest. To read more of their reviews, and other restaurant news- you can check Zomato too.

February 24, 2015 by: Sunny London

Afternoon Tea at Tombo with my Mr. Miyagi

If you were invited to try a Japanese afternoon tea, who would you take? Because I’m a sucker for Hollywood drama and sentiment, I chose to invite Selena to afternoon tea at Tombo Japanese Cafe and Deli. Let me tell you why…

Before I had even moved to London in the beginning of 2014, I was reading her blog Selena the Places. What I loved the most was she seemed to make an extra effort to bring bloggers together for afternoon tea. She is a fabulous female from Texas who also moved to London for love.

Since I was preparing for my third move to London as an expat, making friends who shared my experiences was really important.

So, before I even arrived, I had plans to meet her and go to the next #LDNBloggersTea she was planning in London for the end of January 2014. She didn’t know it, but I had already targeted her to be my blogger mentor. A real life Mr. Miyagi.

I haven’t seen my blog mentor since the Christmas afternoon tea the London bloggers group previewed in the end of September 2014. In anticipation of us transitioning to me coordinating the teas, I had helped her a bit to plan that one. But, sadly, life events intervened for us both, and we weren’t able to have a proper catch up until last week.

She was waiting for me as I arrived, and we were quickly seated at our reserved table. As we chatted away about our latest adventures, we both felt the menu at Tombo Japanese Cafe and Deli was impressive.

Since I had been invited to review the afternoon tea, my decision was easy.

The Afternoon Tea at Tombo Japanese Cafe and Deli includes:

– Temari Sushi
– Maki Sushi Rolls
– Matcha Gateau
– Azuki Gateau
– Macaroon
– Tea of Your Choice

I picked the Bonsai tea, which is a genmai cha with matcha. It’s their best selling tea. It’s a Sencha green tea mixed with roasted brown rice, which gives it a nutty, crisp flavour. I had reservations about drinking this, but I honestly found it delightful. In fact, it’s something I would definitely buy to drink at home.

Selena picked the Sakura, a cherry blossom kuki chai. I didn’t try hers because I have been battling the flu for two weeks and didn’t think my blogger mentor would want to share it! The menu says it’s light and refreshing with a hint of cherry leaves.

Also on the Tombo tea menu is Zen (sencha). It’s a classic deep green tea with a full Umami taste. Finally, they feature Haiku (hoji cha with ginger). It’s roasted green tea and low in caffeine.

The afternoon tea features a range of savory and sweet offerings.

At the price of £12.90 per person, this is an afternoon tea in London that is super affordable! You can add a 250ml bottle of sparkling Sake to it as well for £19.90 per person.

Selena tried a few pieces of food on the afternoon tea tray and ordered the Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl.

She let me make a little bowl to try. Even with very few taste buds due to my stuffy nose, I could sense the glorious flavours coming together in this dish. I could’ve probably eaten her entire bowl, but that might not have been very mannerly to my mentor 😉

What I loved about this afternoon tea is it’s affordable, it’s extremely photogenic and it’s exceptionally tasty. I didn’t leave in a food coma like I usually do when dining on London’s glorious carb feasts.

I have to admit though, the No Carbs Bento Box was screaming my name on the menu. It’s a lighter option (without rice) healthy balanced meal in a box. You can choose one main from Teriyaki Chicken/ Miso, Salmon / Katsu / Tofu (V) (GF) and Sashimi with three side salads for £8.95.

Also on the Tombo Japanese Cafe and Deli menu is a nice selection of Tapas (Sashimi of the Day for £6.55, Teriyaki Chicken £5.00 and Miso Salmon £5.00.) And, of course, there’s plenty of gluten free options as well.

I had a wonderful time enjoying the food at Tombo and learning about Selena’s adventures. Aside from her current trip to Egypt, she has another very big event on the way. Her daughter is expecting her first child in a few months, and recently learned it’s a boy! (She’s put this on her blog already, so I’m not breaking any rules).

And, as Mr. Miyagi says when he’s trying to train a female student…. ‘Boys are much easier!’

More about Tombo:

Click here to see Tombo’s website and menu. You can also follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Tombo is located just near the South Kensington underground station on 29 Thurloe Place, South Kensington, London, SW7 2HQ. It’s open Monday-Sunday from 11:30am-9:30pm for brunch, lunch, dinner or to go. Afternoon Tea is served from 3-5:00pm.

Our meal at Tombo was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This did not affect my opinion of the experience. Finding many items on their menu that I wanted to try was as easy as…
wax on, wax off for me. 😉

So, Sunny friends, do you have a blog mentor? Who are the bloggers you admire and want to meet?

‘We make secret pact. I promise teach blogging to you. You promise learn. I say. You do. No questions.’

Thanks, Mr. Miyagi!

February 20, 2015 by: Sunny London

St Ermin’s Hotel ‘Flights of Fancy’ Champagne Afternoon Tea

What happens when there’s a few fabulous warm, sunny days in London during mid-February?

The seasonal Spring afternoon tea menus starting sprouting! And, I was super excited to be one of the first bloggers to enjoy the St. Ermin’s Hotel ‘Flights of Fancy Champagne Afternoon Tea’ which is offered until the end of March.

This Spring tea is the work of Chef of the Year and MasterChef finalist Adam Handling. It includes choices of Newby of London’s award-winning fine teas and a flight of Laurent Perrier champagnes for £45 per person.

The very historic hotel is located on a quiet street just around the corner from the St. James Park Underground Station. If you haven’t been there, you’re truly missing a great experience. It’s inches from Buckingham Palace, St James Park, Westminster Abbey, Parliament and Big Ben.

The St. Ermin’s Hotel entrance screams wedding photography. When my friend and I walked in, we both instantly commented to each other about how beautiful the staircase is for wedding portraits. Hmmmm. Maybe Mr. Sunny and I should renew our vows? 😉

The stairs lead to the first floor mezzanine Tea Lounge. And the views from the top of the staircase are equally as entrancing.

The Tea Lounge sits just at the top. Its ambiance is perfect for a date with the girls to catch up and sip on elegant glasses of champagne, and tea of course.

My friend from Florida and I met to review the champagne afternoon tea, which features pairings by one of this blog’s favourites… Laurent Perrier!

We were a bit nervous about an afternoon tea that features three glasses of champagne, as we went on a weekday. She’s working on her doctorate in the medical field and I have been very focussed on other professional goals, so we didn’t want to leave the St. Ermin’s Hotel with too much of a Spring buzz. However, since her birthday is approaching, we wanted to celebrate with a little bit of bubbly too.

We were seated quickly, ordered our individual teas and had our first glass of our Laurent Perrier champagne flight, which was Vintage and meant to compliment our upcoming sandwiches.

My friend chose the Masala Chai, and she felt it was perfectly brewed with milk, as she requested. I picked Peppermint Tea, something I’ve taken quite a fancy too since November.

An addition to this afternoon tea that I haven’t seen at another venue is a tea timer placed on our table. We both felt this was a fun way to keep us focussed on our preferred steeping time.

Next, our afternoon tea sandwiches arrived. They include classic finger sandwiches: crayfish and marie-rose sauce, cucumber and cream cheese, beef and horseradish plus smoked salmon and caviar.

Both of us agree that the crayfish steals the show. Ordering another plate of them proved to be a mistake later when we barely had room for our desserts.

The first pairing of champagne is my favourite of this afternoon tea. This surprised me because I always sip Brut, which is poured for the second course to match the scones.

You can see in that picture above that my first glass is already empty. What my friend and I loved about the champagne afternoon tea is the glasses are slightly smaller than what we had anticipated. And, at this half way point of the fun food experience, our level of ability to indulgent started to drop.

The enticing selection of freshly baked scones arrived warm with homemade jam and clotted cream.

The scone size is perfect!

Finally, the last delivery of food hit the table.

What is intriguing in this Flights of Fancy champagne afternoon tea is the colour simplicity at the end. Everything featured is white and red. My friend and I giggled because to two Florida girls, this seems to be what a person would call a ‘cream tea.’ The ingredients seemed to reflect this ingredient heavily. However, British people refer to a cream tea when a person is just having scones, clotted cream and jam- none of the other food fireworks.

In that picture above past the champagne, you can see the sweet treats. They are: cream and strawberry posset, rhubarb and custard macaroons with red velvet and white chocolate cherry snowballs and are matched with Rose Champagne.

Here are two close up shots of the fabulous food…

If you’ve read Sunny in London closely, you’ve seen that I get super weak for red velvet cake. Chef Adam Handling rocked this one! The moist texture and thick slather of filling between cake layers crushed me. I forced the final bites because I knew I wouldn’t be able to face myself in the morning if I had left behind one gorgeous morsel on my plate.

I also really went in to slow gear with the final phase of the champagne flights of fancy as well. Notice my pace in the picture below when the third glass arrived?

My friend’s comment ‘Glasses in pictures appear larger than they are’ is an accurate one. However, don’t let this deter you if you’re a big champagne drinker. The portion sizes and liquid sunshine are difficult to finish. This is coming from someone who considers herself a champion eater.

We enjoyed this afternoon tea that’s available between 12 noon and 6pm daily. They can provide gluten free options, but St. Ermin’s Hotel ask you make them aware of this request at time of booking.

If you don’t make it in to London for this special Spring tea, keep an eye on the Twitter account for St. Ermin’s Hotel. In May 2015, you’ll see the first opening of ‘Tea on the Terrace’ for the summer season. Also, you might be interested in their “Busy Bees’ afternoon tea offered for children at weekends and during the school holidays.

My Flights of Fancy Champagne Afternoon Tea was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This does not affect my opinion of the experience. I certainly feel it will be one of Spring teas in London that’s worthy of a great buzz.

February 18, 2015 by: Sunny London

LDNBloggersTea- A Guiltless Game of ‘Hyde and Seek’

The wait is finally over! The next LDNBloggersTea is now in place and is set for March 1st at one of London’s most prestigious addresses!

The theme of this afternoon tea for London Bloggers is ‘Hyde and Seek.’ I’m so excited to show you all the reasons why we have chosen this exciting opportunity for our fantastic group.

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea: The Venue

Since November, I have been emailing and visiting hotels throughout London to discuss possibilities for the next quarterly meeting of the blogger group. In fact, there was an afternoon tea set for a date in January, but it had to be canceled due to another large afternoon tea being scheduled on the same day. After visiting six hotels, I thought the mystery of where our next afternoon tea would be might never be solved!

Photo courtesy of InterContinental London Park Lane

To host our blogger group, we need a location to meet several critieria. The big puzzle pieces that should come together are: a Central London location preferably right near an Underground Station, a large private room to give bloggers freedom to be and do what they need to do, a great view, a chef we love, an interest in giving us a discount and a giveaway, and a strong social media presence. Oh yeah- and let’s not forget… it needs to have an afternoon tea like no other in London.

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea: The Afternoon Tea(s)

When I was one of the first bloggers to try the InterContinental London Park Lane Guiltless Tea, the game of ‘Hyde and Seek’ ended!

The hotel is located in the heart of Mayfair, right on the corner of Hyde Park, and it overlooks iconic London landmarks. Its history of royal connections paired with its edgy modern menu makes it perfect for a group of bloggers to enjoy.

The Guiltless Tea launched in January, and its claim to fame is it is free of refined sugar. Due to its success (and truly delicious taste that I can personally vouch for), it has been extended past the original date of March through to June.

The InterContinental London Park Lane actually offers three afternoon teas! And, for our special group, they’re doing something that’s never been done for our blogger group…

We’ll have the opportunity to try two! Here’s how it will work: tables will be set in clusters of four bloggers in our private room overlooking the Royal Parks. Each group of four will receive an afternoon tea for two stand for both the Guiltless Afternoon Tea and the Royal Tea. And, bloggers will receive each of the cocktails offered with these afternoon teas.

Photo courtesy of Intercontinental London Park Lane

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea- The Mystery Game and Giveaway

While we are on the edge of Hyde Park networking with each other and dining on fabulous food and cocktails, we’ll also be moving through this theme in other fun ways.

Photo courtesy of Intercontinental London Park Lane

The InterContinental London Park Lane is going to have displays of the mysterious ingredients that are used in the construction of the Guiltless Tea and the cocktails they offer. I’m told they’re truly exotic and haven’t been featured openly for an audience before.

And… the hotel is organising a competition for bloggers to partake in throughout the experience. To compliment the theme, they’re constructing a small social media competition that bloggers can choose to play. The winner will receive a table for two on a selected date with cocktails and sharing platters at their Gin and Jazz event.

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea- The Return of Chef…

Finally, we’re excited to announce the return of Chef Ashley! For bloggers who hit our Conrad London St James Afternoon Tea back in September, you’ll remember Chef Ashley! He’s now sharing his culinary craftmanship at InterContinental London Park Lane and is super excited to work with the #LDNBLoggersTea group again.

LDNBloggersTea-Hyde-and-Seek-Chef-Ashley

Photo courtesy of InterContinental London Park Lane

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea- The Clues You Need to Attend

If you’re interested in seeing what’s behind these doors and attending the Hyde and Seek Afternoon Tea…

Photo courtesy of Intercontinental London Park Lane

– Date: March 1, 2pm at InterContinental London Park Lane, 1 Hamilton Place, Park Lane W1J 7QY

– The ‘Hyde and Seek #LDNBloggersTea’ is open to any London blogger.
– Email Melanie at Sunny @ SunnyinLondon.com. Please put #LDNBloggersTea in the heading of your email. Include your full name, blog’s URL, Twitter handle and dietary requirements. I’ll respond with how you can forward payment. The Hotel can accomodate gluten free, vegetarian and lactose intolerant for the Guiltless Tea.
– You must RSVP and send payment to me by noon on Friday, February 28, 2015. Bloggers will receive the discounted rate of £25 for the experience.
– Because the hotel will need time to accomodate for our large group, refunds will not be possible.
– You can start following the InterContinental London Park Lane on Twitter now to join in on the afternoon tea fun!

The #LDNBloggersTea is a group of London Bloggers who meet quarterly for afternoon tea in London and was created by Selena, from SelenaThePlaces.

If you are not able to attend this afternoon tea, you can email me your contact information to receive information about future afternoon teas or other blogger events. All emails are sent as ‘BCC.’ The email list is not distributed to third parties.

For additional ways to promote your blog, you can also join my London Bloggers Tribe on Triberr or request an invitation on the Pinterest group board I created for London Bloggers.

February 4, 2015 by: Sunny London

Hop Over to Afternoon Tea at Playboy Club London

Do you know where you can find London’s sexiest afternoon tea? It’s without a doubt at The Playboy Club London. And what’s even better is anyone over the age of 18 can enjoy it. It’s open to non-members of the Playboy Club. And it truly is… an afternoon tea ‘with a playful twist and a tail’!

How do I know all this?

Because it’s the most recent adventure I’ve had via Sunny in London.

The Playboy Club London is located in a very discreet building on Old Park Lane in Mayfair, just near Hyde Park Underground Station and across from Green Park. Prior to attending, I was filled with curiosity. I wasn’t the only one who was excited. You guessed it- Mr. Sunny joined me, as we made it part of our Saturday night date. In fact, this is the only afternoon tea that he’s attended with me since starting the blog. Gee… I wonder what caught his attention this time? 😉

Before even sitting down in Salvatore’s Bar, where they host the Playboy Club London Afternoon Tea, I was quick to grab a picture with a Bunny.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

Salvatore’s Bar is named for Salvatore Calabrese, a master mixologist who is known as ‘The Maestro’ and is one of the world’s leading bartenders. My only regret from this entire experience was not having the chance to meet him.

We arrived just before 5pm, when they start serving afternoon tea. Luckily no one else was there yet. I was able to get a few pictures for you to show the bar’s interior.
It’s sexy, plush and very classy but has very low lighting. While that definitely created the right ambiance, it wasn’t the best for blog pictures. I did my best.

There was only one Bunny in the bar. She quickly and gracefully poured us each a glass of champagne and had some time to answer a few of my questions.
Despite many trips to Hollywood, I’ve never been to the Playboy Mansion. This was my first encounter with a real life Bunny. It was a bucket list moment.

When I asked what she would want people to know about Playboy Bunnies, she said it’s meaningful to clarify misconceptions. Playboy Bunnies aren’t giggly toys involved in indecent activities. At this Club, they are cocktail waitresses who happen to wear a specific costume. Her ease of answering my questions and interest in making sure blog readers have accurate knowledge was impressive.

After this, Mr. Sunny and I chose our teapot cocktail from Salvatore’s carefully crafted list. Mr. Sunny picked Fruity. I had Floral. They other two options are Traditional or Spicy.

Different from most afternoon tea selections, these two drinks were served chilled in teapots. Mr. Sunny really enjoyed his. Mine was divine, and I still can’t stop thinking about it .

The blends of Jasmine blossom tea, Hendricks Gin, agave infused with lavendar flowers, Maraschino, orange blossom water and fresh lemon juice created a delicate, silky texture with such an elegant mix of just enough floral flavour. While I had expected drinks that would most likely drop me to the floor with an alcohol punch, the understated cocktail mix was a definite highlight.

Our greatly aniticipated afternoon tea food hit the table and was equally as delicious.

The sandwiches are fairly standard. They include: Tomato Bruschetta, Roast Beef Baguette, London Smoked Salmon Blini, and Egg Mayonnaise and Asparagus Finger Sandwich. However, they are exceptionally tasty.

Now, this is where die hard afternoon tea fanatics might have heart failure. The tea does not feature scones. Did I care? Not at all.

The sweet selections were loaded with cream and popping candy and weren’t too heavy when served together.

Here’s a close up of the top tier which has Bunny Ear Cupcake, Macaroon, Strawberry and Clotted Cream Shot Glass, and (naturally) Carrot Cake.

And, I like to call this one the ‘Bunny Shot’:

We also had the pleasure of meeting the Bar Manager, Antonio Dandrea. He was equally as friendly and informative as the Bunny. I also noticed he spent time with each table, so he didn’t just meet with us because we were writing a review. That was impressive too.

This afternoon tea was launched within the past six months, and I think it’s rock solid genius.

Interesting facts about Afternoon Tea at Playboy Club London:

– After we arrived, Salvatore’s Bar filled with numerous other couples.
– Everyone was dressed smart. Leave the jeans and trainers at home.
– Mr. Sunny noticed they have Buffalo Wings on the menu. Guys, if you want to give your girl your sweets from the tea and order a side of wings, you’ll still be a winner.
– You don’t have to be a member of the Club for this experience. That’s reserved for the second level where there is a casino.
– For £30 per person, it is one of the most affordable afternoon teas with exceptional quality in London.
– They had a Super Bowl Party, will have a Valentine’s Day offer, and host numerous other events throughout the year. To make sure you don’t miss their next event, you can follow them on Twitter, and Instagram. Or, you can just visit their website at Playboy Club London.

Our afternoon tea was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This doesn’t affect my opinion of the experience. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is London’s sexiest afternoon tea. I look forward to returning soon so Mr. Sunny can try the Buffalo Wings and I can meet ‘The Maestro’, Salvatore Calabrese.

Final thoughts on the Afternoon Tea at Playboy Club London:

– When I asked Mr. Sunny to say something funny about afternoon tea with a Bunny, he said, ‘There’s a lot more up at that tea than Doc!’
– And, yes, Mr. Sunny finished his afternoon tea with a nice. cold. beer.

Have you ever been to an afternoon tea that appeals to both men and women? What themed afternoon teas do you recommend?

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?

The Snow Queen Christmas Afternoon Tea menu includes:

Afternoon Tea Week: Healthiest Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Creative

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Royal

Afternoon Tea Week: Best for Boys

Afternoon Tea Week: Most British

Afternoon Tea Week: Best Twist

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Victorian

Afternoon Tea Week: Most Affordable

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Quality

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Service

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Atmosphere

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Final Thoughts

Warren House Afternoon Tea:

Warren House, Afternoon Tea and more:

St James Court Hotel Royal Afternoon Tea Sandwiches:

St James Court Hotel Royal Afternoon Tea Scones:

St James Court Royal Afternoon Tea Cakes and Pastries:

The Afternoon Tea at Tombo Japanese Cafe and Deli includes:

More about Tombo:

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea: The Venue

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea: The Afternoon Tea(s)

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea- The Mystery Game and Giveaway

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea- The Return of Chef…

The Hyde and Seek LDNBloggersTea- The Clues You Need to Attend

Interesting facts about Afternoon Tea at Playboy Club London:

Final thoughts on the Afternoon Tea at Playboy Club London:

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

THE ESSENTIAL FIRST TIME GUIDE TO

HARRY POTTER

YOUTUBE