SAUCE LOVES…AFTERNOON TEA
Being National Tea Day we thought nothing more fitting then a round up of our favourite afternoon tea’s in the city. See our round-up of the best afternoon teas London has to offer…
Jason Atherton’s Sosharu
Jason Atherton’s Japanese izakaya-style restaurant, Sosharu, has recently launched a new afternoon tea menu inspired by the iconic wagashi (confectionery) and tea ceremony traditions of Japan. Developed by executive pastry chef, Emily Argent, the menu comprises of a selection of sweet and savoury dishes, alongside unique tea blends and specially designed cocktails.
Instead of staid finger sandwiches, savoury options include one of Sosharu’s signature dishes, open temaki, as well as a savoury monaka, a twist on a traditionally sweet dish of Japanese wafer. Sweet items range from Taiyaki, a traditional fish-shaped cake filled with rhubarb and white chocolate crème patisserie, to matcha iced fingers and chocolate sesame praline Petit Gâteau with miso caramel.
The Royal Exchange’s Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea
The Royal Exchange has launched the Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea, offering guests a wonderful array of both savoury and sweet treats inspired by the finest Japanese cuisine, and all served in the opulent surroundings of The Grand Café. In honour of the beautiful cherry blossom that each year heralds the arrival of spring in Japan, Head Chef Piero Leone has perfectly incorporated vibrant Japanese flavours into dishes that also celebrate the British traditions of taking afternoon tea. A selection of finger sandwiches will feature flavours such as Miso egg and watercress and Cream cheese with sesame and ginger, while guests will also be able to enjoy brioche buns with Chicken teriyaki and Hot smoked salmon and shiso mayonnaise. To follow, a unique range of sweet treats will include Matcha green tea and strawberry trifle and Chocolate brownie with kumquats and lavender, while traditional British scones will be served with clotted cream and yuzu jam. Available Monday- Friday, 3:00-5.30pm, £20 per person.
Afternoon Tea Nordic Delicacies at Aquavit
Afternoon tea at Aquavit London features traditional Nordic delicacies all served in the stylish restaurant in St James’s Market. To start, an assortment of Danish open sandwiches, smørrebrød, with classic Nordic flavours such as Gravlax, Shrimp Skagen, and Venison tartare, presented in a contemporary style on the restaurant’s distinctive house-made rye bread. The culinary journey continues with a selection of traditional Swedish pastries including a selection of the seven different types of cookies, which, according to a tradition dating back to the 1800s, is the ideal number that should always be offered to guests! Guests can choose between three different afternoon tea packages The Fika Afternoon Tea (£27.50), The Champagne Afternoon Tea (£39) and The Aquavit Afternoon Tea (£65) developed in collaboration with the iconic Danish design company, Georg Jensen, being served in an award-winning tea service from designer Henning Koppel.
Traditional Afternoon Tea at The Game Bird
Last month, The Game Bird launched at The Stafford London hotel under the helm of renowned chef James Durrant. Celebrating the very best of British cooking, the restaurant has already become known for serving wonderful British comfort food dishes with innovative, modern touches. Alongside the à la carte menu in the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant, The Game Bird also serves a traditional Afternoon Tea. Specially selected by the team at The Stafford, the menu offers four bespoke signature blends of tea including Stafford English Breakfast Blend, the aptly named The Game Bird as well as the Queen’s Stafford Blend and Oyster Digestive Blend. The menu also includes a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade plain and raisin scones with seasonal jams and Cornish clotted cream alongside seasonal patisserie (£36 per person). The option to add a glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne is also available or a bespoke ‘Tea with the Queen’ cocktail, made with Prosecco, thyme and raspberry syrup, brand snap and mango sorbet.
