Afternoon tea is a British tradition, along with neighbour hood pubs and fish and chips.
Londoners and tourists alike don their glad rags and head to the finer establishments for their high tea. Several of London’s best hotels offer an afternoon tea featuring finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes, scones with clotted cream and jam as well as strawberries and cream with champagne.
If you have never been to tea, here is what to expect. It is a good idea to make reservations. Afternoon tea starts at 3:30 pm and continues until about 6 pm. You can take your tea at one of the many very British hotels offering this afternoon delight.
Dress up. Put on your smartest outfit. You don’t need to wear a designer duds, business casual is acceptable. When you arrive you will be immediately seated at a table with comfy chairs, cloth napkins, fine china and real silverware. The tea rooms are well light, spacious and elegant dining areas that reflect British tradition at its finest. The tea sommelier will bring you a menu with a choice of tea options including the regular high tea or the champagne tea.
There will be a selection of leaf teas for you to choose from. Try one or several of these wonderful teas with your light afternoon meal. Tea is just that, a meal. If you choose the champagne tea, you will be served your glass of champagne first along with fresh strawberries and cream. Then your tea selection will come. You get a pot of tea complete with a silver tea strainer. The tea sommelier will pour the tea for you and await your approval.
While you are sipping your tea, you will be entertained by live music. Soft piano music or the sound of a harp and flute will fill the air and create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Be prepared to be treated like royalty. The service you are about to experience is beyond the ordinary.
Next your sandwiches and pastry will arrive. Finger sandwiches without crusts are the norm. There is usually a selection of cucumber and cream cheese, chicken, tuna, and smoked salmon. After you have finished the sandwiches, you can start on the pastries. Don’t confuse the pastries with the cakes. They are different but all taste fabulous. Eat as much or as little as you like. If you have a particular favorite or are really hungry, the tea sommelier will be happy to bring you some more sandwiches, pastries or cakes. But remember to save room for your tea cakes, scones, clotted cream and jam.
Yes, there is more food coming. A selection of tea cakes and scones arrive just when you think you couldn’t eat another bite. Spread the clotted cream and jam generously on the warm scones and taste a little piece of heavenly delight. If you have finished your pot of tea, choose another selection from the menu to accompany your scones.
With such attentive service, great food, and comfortable atmosphere you may never want to leave. You will definitely want to return soon for another high tea experience.
If you would like to take afternoon tea at a London hotel:
The Conservatory at the Lanesborough Hotel has one of the best afternoon teas around.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/dining/attraction_detail.HTML?propertyID=1435&attractionId=21371
Or try the Savoy Hotel for tea.
http://www.fairmont.com/savoy/GuestServices/Restaurants/AfternoonTea.htm
London’s other fine hotels that offer the afternoon tea experience.
http://www.londontown.com/London/Top_Afternoon_Tea_in_London/
