DEBORAH CROMBIE: Afternoon teas have been much on my mind lately. My daughter and her family leave on Friday for a trip that will end with a few days in London and of course, Kayti being the plan ahead person that she is, she wanted to choose a place for a proper afternoon tea. She picked Grosvenor House, which, by a funny coincidence, was the first place I ever experienced afternoon tea, on my first trip to London with my parents. Kayti asked if I thought it would be good and I assured her that I was sure it would. Tea is hard for a top-notch London hotel to mess it up! (Photo courtesy of Grosvenor House London.)
Then, another friend who had family members making a summer London trip asked me for suggestions, and so I did a deep dive into recommendations on the internet as well as my own past favorites. I thought it would be fun to share some my most memorable teas here.
#1 on my list is (formerly) Gordon Ramsay's Claridge's. This was on a trip with my (as above!) plan-ahead daughter. We can't nail down the exact date, but Gordon Ramsay's tenure at Claridge's ended in June 2013 and I think we were trying to get in under the wire. The only reservation available was the day we were scheduled to arrive. Our plane was due to land at Gatwick about 7 a.m. so we thought, sure, no problem for 2 p.m. tea. You can guess what happened. The plane was late, then when we finally deplaned, Kayti's luggage never came off the baggage carousel. By this time in a mad panic, we snagged her a dress and shoes in one of the airport shops (thank goodness this was arrivals at Gatwick and not Heathrow,) took the train into London, then a cab to Claridge's. We changed in the Ladies' lounge and just managed make our two o'clock seating. After all the drama, everything--the room, the food, the service--was divine. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Another memorable tea was at Sketch in Mayfair with a half dozen friends and maybe a wee bit too much champagne. I remember how fabulous the decor was, and what a good time we had, but I do not remember the food! I'm sure it was lovely! I encourage you to click on the link above to play with the Sketch website (and to gasp at the prices.)
A favorite I have been to several times is St. Ermin's Hotel in Victoria. I used to love to go there because it was just around the corner from New Scotland Yard but, alas, the Met headquarters has moved to the Embankment. Still, St. Ermin's is a great central London choice. Not only do they serve an absolutely delicious afternoon tea, they have beehives on the roof that you can visit.
This would be a fun choice with kids.
Another memorable tea was at The Ritz after visiting Buckingham Palace, this with The Poisoned Pen owner Barbara Peters, author Kate Charles, and another London friend. Again, I remember the occasion and the spectacular Palm Court better than the food. That interior really is something to see!
I've had tea at The Connaught courtesy of my friend Deborah Harkness, and this time I do remember that the food was fabulous!
A tea more memorable for the view than for the food was at Oblix in The Shard, which Kayti and I had during a visit in 2022. The view really is amazing, but I think you could enjoy it just as well over a considerably less expensive cocktail.
My last recommendation is less expensive than many of the fancy hotel teas, but every bit as delicious, if not better. That's The Wolseley in Piccadilly, just a few doors down from The Ritz.
I hope if anyone is planning a trip to London this little mini guide will be useful. And if not, you can daydream along with me.
Dear Reds and readers, have you had a memorable afternoon tea? (Not necessarily in the UK!)
Oh, and happy birthday to my darling daughter today! It's too bad we're not celebrating over afternoon tea in London!
Happy birthday to Kayti!!!! Your stories brought back wonderful memories of my trip to England and Scotland with my mom.
ReplyDeleteForgot the name of hotel / restaurants. Always had wonderful afternoon tea. That was years before my allergies to dairy and gluten. Afternoon tea in London, York, Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh.
Happy Birthday to your daughter . . . .
ReplyDeleteAfternoon tea is something it looks like all of London does in spectacular fashion . . . the only afternoon tea I have ever had was with the ladies group at Church; not as fancy as all the ones you've shared with us, but just as lovely since it's time spent with good friends . . . .
Fairmount Chateau Laurier in Ottawa has a lovely afternoon tea but does a really special one during the Christmas holidays. I went with a group of ladies in 2021.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I have had an allergy to black tea since my 20s (confirmed again by an allergy skin test last week). But the Fairmount offers over 30 types of tea, including several green, oolong, white and herbal teas which I CAN DRINK. I had a delicate white tea flavoured with peach from nearby Niagara Region.
The afternoon tea included the typical scones with clotted cream and jam, 4 types of finger sandwiches and a wide selection of sweets. A pricey indulgence ($65) but it was a lovely time spent with an engaging group of ladies.
Good morning! Thank you, Debs, for opening a window in my memory. My first experience with afternoon tea was at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC. My father's mother had taken my sister and me on a mini-vacation: the excursion boat from Seattle to Victoria, a stay in the hotel, and this meal. I don't remember too much of the tea experience, except that I was young and very, very uncertain about the food. Now, I treasure having tea at any time. Somehow though, I think afternoon iced tea at home, with a pbj, doesn't quite have the same panache, does it?
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