Wednesday 12 November 2014

Afternoon Tea At The Hotel Café Royal, London


The London High Society Afternoon Tea is served in the iconic Oscar Wilde Bar, located within the historic Hotel Cafe Royal on Piccadilly. Created by Executive Chef Andrew Turner and Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Blas, the tea is an exquisite take on the classic English tradition and includes a selection of indulgent sandwiches, cakes, scones and pastries. The Oscar Wilde Bar offers Londoners and visitors to the city the perfect spot for a special occasion or simply to indulge for an afternoon.

Sandwiches on offer include: Wild boar, crackling, pickled apple and mustard bun; Goat's cheese puff and wine jelly; and Mary Rose prawn cocktail. Pastries include: Absinthe Green Fairy macaroon; Blackberry and apple Regent; and Seasonal flower pot. Traditional golden raisin and plain scones are also on offer, served with clotted cream and lemon curd or strawberry and gold preserve. Classic cakes include gluten free lemon drizzle cake and Traditional fruit cake. A selection of exclusive tea blends are also on offer including: Oscar (an authentic and historic Lapsang Souchong, lightly smoked); Celestine (soft black China tea with sweet Madagascan vanilla pod and pretty cornflowers); Golden Caryatid (attractive gold-flecked black tea from Yunnan); and Queensbury (a refreshing, herbal infusion of lemongrass, fennel seed and liquorice root).


All this is served in the breathtaking Oscar Wilde Bar (formerly the iconic Grill Room) which has been stunningly restored to its authentic Louis XVI detailing. The room oozes grandeur and sophistication, offering the perfect place to host the most glamorous afternoon tea in London.

www.hotelcaferoyal.com

Sunday 10 August 2014

Afternoon Tea Week Competition (11-17 August)


With afternoon tea week starting tomorrow now is the perfect time to treat yourself. Afternoontea.co.uk is offering 25% off 50 participating venues when booking with them throughout August. 

We have teamed up with Afternoontea.co.uk and Nudge PR to bring you a fantastic competition to win a great prize!

All you have to do is answer this question:

How many venues are listed on afternoontea.co.uk?

Please email answers to chelsiegosden@hotmail.com

Please include full name! 

The prize includes: 

“A Russell Hobbs Buckingham Kettle worth £39.99 - this super sleek stainless steel kettle is 75% quieter than a standard kettle, perfect for that sneaky cuppa”

A £25 afternoontea.co.uk voucher - for use on the website

A Vintage Tea Party three-tier cardboard cake stand - perfect for hosting afternoon tea at home

A BB Bakery London bus travel mug - perfect for tea addicts on the go

UK residents only please 
Competition runs (August 11-17).


GOOD LUCK!

www.afternoontea.co.uk

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Afternoon Tea at The Grand Hotel Oslo, Norway


For those of you that are perhaps less familiar with our blog, Chelsie and I are on a quest to share with you all the very best locations around the world to indulge in a spot of delicious afternoon tea. This quest led us to the beautiful Scandinavian city of Oslo in Norway for a weekend away at the sensational Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel is impossible to miss standing elegantly and impressively in the heart of Oslo’s most opulent street, Karl Johan’s gate. From the moment this hotel opened its doors to guests in 1874 it has been synonymous with undeniable luxury and the highest quality around. In accordance with this, it is no surprise that when the Nobel Peace Prize is presented in Oslo, that the laureates, celebrities and heads of state all check into the Grand Hotel. It seemed clear to us when building our list of worldwide locations that the Grand Hotel needed to be included for its sensational Norwegian afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea is served in the beautiful Palmen (Palm Court Restaurant), and on first impression you could easily imagine this room being from one of ‘The Great Gatsby’s’ glamorous scenes with its stunning glass dome allowing an airy atmosphere and natural sunlight to pour in. This beautiful setting is further enhanced by a rich colour scheme of purple, green and silver throughout ensuring that you felt instantly relaxed in the most exquisite surroundings. On entering Palmen we were warmly greeted by our waiter who led us to our grand booth. The booth was deep and inviting with delicate cushions for support, whilst our marble table was perfectly presented with white Wedgewood chinaware. From the onset our waiter was polite and attentive creating a ‘home from home feel’ by enquiring how our day was, and if we would like a glass of still or sparkling water to sip on whilst we pondered over the fabulous menu merrily absorbing our surroundings.







Our afternoon tea began with the integral tea selection. The Grand Hotel offers a vast collection of both black and green teas but unfortunately these are not listed on the menu. Adding a more personal touch to your afternoon tea, the Grand Hotel has a tea expert on hand to help guide you through your selection process whilst providing you with information on the recommended brewing time, and origins of the tea available. Chelsie and I were advised that the following teas are very popular amongst guests: Sencha Green from Japan, Mao Feng Green from China, Peppermint and Lavender black currant. Deviating from the recommendations and feeling somewhat adventurous Chelsie selected ‘lady grey’ which had a light and flowery body whilst I selected Mao Feng Green from the list of recommendations that had a very intense, rich body. Our tea was served in a beautifully decorated pink and white teapot with a matching cup and saucer, which throughout the afternoon tea was regularly topped up with a freshly brewed complimentary pot of tea and if required lemon, milk or honey to accompany our choices.

The Grand Hotel’s Norwegian afternoon tea arrived on a simple yet faultless white three tiered stand. Chelsie and I were bedazzled by the stunning display of sweet treats and savoury items on display, the sensational colours and enticing aromas ensured us that this would not only be a glamorous affair but also so very delicious. Our eyes widened further when our waiter returned again with a matching white plate of delicate, warm freshly baked chocolate and ligonberry scones accompanied by two little pots of orange and raspberry Bonne Maman jam. Our waiter talked us through the variety within the three tiers of the stand, explaining how each item within the afternoon tea is intimately linked to Scandinavian cuisine from the freshly caught fish to the popular ligonberries within the scones. We were also given suitable time to ask any additional questions we had concerning our afternoon tea. We believe it is worth us mentioning that the Grand Hotel covers all dietary concerns to ensure that each and every guest can enjoy their afternoon tea but they do require twenty four hours notice.










Both the savoury selection and sweet selection were comprised of two of the following: cucumber and apple sandwich on moulted granary bread, onion and feta cheese pie, blini with ‘romme’ and lumpfish roe, smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich on moulted granary bread, goats milk cheese and black trumpet mushrooms in a cone and finally ‘fenalar’ (lamb) and apple gel in a cone. The sweet selection contained the following: raspberry muffins, lemon meringue cupcakes, chocolate cookies, juniper financier, strawberry, orange and vanilla macaron and a cone with white chocolate and sea buckthorne berries. As to be expected from such a diverse selection Chelsie and I were taken on a taste whirlwind from the crunchy fresh apple with cucumber sandwich to the delicate and dreamy orange macaroon. Our favourite items within this afternoon tea were the beetroot with smoked mackerel, romme and hazelnut, white chocolate and sea buckthorne berries and novel chocolate cookies. However, our ultimate favourite within this afternoon tea was the chocolate and lingonberry scones. The oozing chocolate from the scones perfectly complements the contrasting sour lingonberry, resulting in you wanting just one more! We can assure you that when you are sipping on your tea, enjoying some of the finest food Oslo has to offer in the splendour of Palmen it is difficult to imagine a better way to indulge.

 

Afternoon Tea is served the following times: 
Wednesday-Saturday 14.00-17.00hrs

Price: Afternoon Tea including 1 glass of Ruinart Champagne, NOK 395,- pp / excluding Champagne NOK 295,- pp (minimum 2 people).

Monday 26 May 2014

Chelsea Flower Show Afternoon Tea 2014 — At Corinthia Hotel London.


Enjoy a selection of Finger Sandwiches served on Artisanal Breads 

Loch Var Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Chive Coronation Chicken
Egg Mayonnaise and Watercress (V)
Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese and Piccalilli (V) Roast Beef and Creamed Horseradish Severn and Wye Smoked Trout and Cucumber 

-

Indulge in a choice of English Tea Fancies inspired by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014 

The Gazebo (N)(G) 
Blueberry, violet and raspberry cream filled chocolate choux. Blueberry marshmallow, violet flowers 

The Potting Shed (G) Dark chocolate crémeux, chocolate soil 

Butterfly Garden (N) 
Lady Grey tea infused milk chocolate ganache, soft chocolate brownie and toasted marzipan 

Spring Meadow (G)
Lemon and lavender drizzle cake, lemon buttercream 

English Rose Garden (N)
Rose mousseline, raspberries, almond macaroon 

Labyrinth (N)(G) 
Strawberry jelly, pistachio Genoise, matcha green tea crème, caramelized puff pastry 

Knot Garden (G)

Roasted white chocolate mousse, apricot and chamomile compote, shortbread crumbles 

The Orangerie (G) 
White chocolate and coconut sponge, yuzu and orange marmalade 


Follow with a selection of Warm Scones (G) 
Plain and Raisin served with House Preserves and Clotted Cream

(V) Vegetarian (Vg) Vegan
(N) May contain nuts (G) Contains gluten

All prices are inclusive of 20% VAT.
A 12.5% discretionary service charge will be added to your final bill. 

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Edible Garden Afternoon Tea At InterContinental London Westminster ( 28th April - 25th May)


To celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show, InterContinental London Westminster has created an exquisite Edible Garden Afternoon Tea. 


During May, the luxury hotel has partnered with Laurent-Perrier champagne to create sensational tiers of savouries, delightful floral fancies and seasonal English classics to reflect the elegance of Laurent-Perrier champagne and embody their beautiful Chelsea garden. 

Free flowing champagne and British seasonal ingredients have been matched with a selection of delicate floral teas to make this Afternoon Tea experience the perfect balance of a feast for the eyes and a classic spread to excite your taste buds.






The Edible Garden

Including free-flowing

Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne for the duration of the sitting time

A selection of savouries
Baby vegetable shot
Garden pea and basil tart
Miniature eggs Benedict
Roast beef and horseradish on beetroot bread
Smoked chicken and tarragon tear drop
Delicate goat cheese and tomato with cheddar shortbread
Smoked salmon roulade on rye bread 

Freshly baked mini Chelsea buns &Lavender infused scones

Served with Devonshire clotted cream, home-madestrawberry rose jam and lemon curd

Cakes and pastries
Lemon box hedge
Raspberry meringue pie
Laurent-Perrier strawberry champagne bubble
Crushed violet macaroon
Manjari Chocolate Pond
Chocolate pebbles

Floral Tea
A choice of herbal teas
Lemon Verbena Herbal Tea, Blackcurrant and Hibiscus Herbal Tea,
Whole Rose Buds, Flowering Osmanthus 
£44.00 per person

WIN TICKETS TO RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

The InterContinental Westminster has teamed up with Laurent-Perrier to offer Afternoon Tea aficionados a chance to win a pair of tickets to RHS Chelsea Flower Show, one of the most sought after and sold-out events on the British social calendar.

How to Win! 
Simply book your afternoon tea through @ICWestminster site using the link below to be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a pair of tickets to the show

Tuesday 8 April 2014

The Ampersand Hotel Easter Afternoon Tea available from 12th April - 21st April


Easter Afternoon Tea available from 12th April - 21st April

Includes Savoury gougeres - Glouster old spot ham, sauce gribiche; Cheese with fruit chutney; H.Forman & Son London smoked salmon, dill and cream cheese; Coronation chicken - followed by Easter bread and white chocolate scones, served with Devonshire clotted cream & homemade strawberry preserve

You'll also be treated to a selection of Easter inspired pastries including chocolate nexts with coconut mousse, chocolate eggs and shortbread chicks, salted caramel macaroons, eggceptional Early Grey opera cake and passion fruit tart with strawberries.

£32.50 per person or £44.50 per person with a glass of Champagne
Enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne Monday - Friday, when booking the Easter Afternoon Tea Special offer on-line.



www.ampersandhotel.com

Sunday 6 April 2014

Budapest Afternoon Tea at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus


On a recent weekend break Chelsie and I visited the beautiful capital city of Hungary, Budapest. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting this city, it is typically credited with its rich thermal and spa waters, deep history, glorious architecture, fabulous nightlife and certainly from our perspective impressive culinary scene.

Chelsie and I were fortunate enough to be spending the weekend at the luxurious five star Kempinski Hotel Corvinus. The hotel’s location is sensational, with quick, carefree access to all of the cities must see highlights from the beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica and chain bridge, to shopper’s paradise understandably named ‘Fashion Street’ and the financial district. This hotel has a lovely ambiance, reminiscent of a ‘home from home’ feel with an air of sophistication. The decor is elegant and stylish which results in an ideal location to relax and unwind. Keeping into the consideration the above, we were not surprised to hear that Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and the late Michael Jackson, to name but a few also chose this hotel to stay when visiting Budapest.

It was at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus that Chelsie and I indulged in our first ever Hungarian afternoon tea. We were led to the ‘Living Room’ where afternoon tea is served by our lovely waitress Anna. The tables were already laid out, in anticipation of those arriving, with simple but faultless white mats and cutlery. This set up blends perfectly with the rooms surroundings. The ‘living room’ is exactly as the name implies, and thus is themed just like a luxurious living room. There are deep, comfortable chairs, an impressive wooden cabinet filled with familiar necessities such as books and ornaments with an enticing central real fire and Duval Leray Rose champagne resting on a bed of ice at the foot of every table. This is all accompanied by relaxed, upbeat music playing in the background which results in a lovely location to enjoy a spot of afternoon tea.






As our afternoon tea commenced, Anna began by ensuring that our surroundings were to our highest satisfaction, inquiring if we had any dietary requirements (all dietary requirements can be catered for) before providing us with an overview of what the afternoon tea would entail and a vast menu for us to select our tea from. The tea selection was very impressive with teas from the following categories available Black, White, Herbal, Green, Fruit and Oolong. Our teas arrived on a mint tea with a silver kettle and a flowery cup exclusively designed for the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus by Zsolnay. I selected Superior Fancy Oolong which had a somewhat nutty-fruity body whilst Chelsie selected a black tea Golden Assam (with milk) which had a delightfully sweet note. Anna told us that throughout the afternoon tea we would be allowed an unlimited complimentary tea refill which, in accordance with the taste was fabulous news.

Our afternoon tea arrived on an elegant white three tiered square stand. The bottom tier consisted of two of the following sandwiches on crust-less white bread: cucumber with Gouda cheese, smoked salmon trout with cream cheese and cured Mangalicia ham with chive butter. Anna explained to us that the ingredients used at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus were of the finest quality and that the Mangalicia ham has an extensive history within the Hungarian food culture. We really appreciated Anna’s passion and insight, helping to ensure that we were fully incorporated into the Hungarian influence within this afternoon tea. We really enjoyed the sandwich selection; whilst we could not name our ultimate preference, we were silenced from our conversation by the freshness and intense flavor from each.









The middle tier deviated from the traditional English afternoon tea replacing scones and clotted cream with two apple and curd strudels accompanied with vanilla sauce and strudels with cottage cheese. We really enjoyed this difference, with our favorite item from this tier being the apple strudel. The taste of this apple strudel was divinely light but flavorsome with the vanilla sauce only enhancing the flavors further, whilst the cottage cheese strudel was a nice savory compliment. I must mention that as we moved on to each tier, Anna our waitress was extremely attentive asking if we had enjoyed our food, before providing us with a clean plate each, ready for our next tier. As we sat sipping on our teas, enjoying our lovely food and taking in the ambiance we were feeling both very content and relaxed.

In accordance with our own personal preference we asked Anna if we could be served our champagne with our desserts on the top tier. Sipping on our champagne served in Champagne coupes, we decided to indulge further and asked Anna if we could order an additional small stand of macarons from the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus new concept store fittingly called ‘Macarooons’. Anna returned within a suitable time frame smiling widely, explaining that she had hand selected a delightful combination of macaroon’s that would complement our upcoming dessert tier. The flavors included milk chocolate, and as to be expected following from the previous two tiers the food standard was incredibly high and the ganache intensely flavorsome. The enticing top tier was comprised of two of the following Hungarian influenced desserts: fruit tartlets, Dobos Cake (chocolate cake with crispy caramel on the top), Esterhazy torte (covered with sugar glaze, and filled with cooked egg cream with nut) and finally Sacher cake (chocolate cake). Chelsie and I really enjoyed trying the Hungarian desserts, and once again found it impossible to name a favorite. The differences in textures and bursts of flavors made them all exceptional in their own right.






Chelsie and I really enjoyed our first Hungarian afternoon tea, and can heartily recommend if you are planning to visit Budapest an indulgent stop the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus for afternoon tea. This is a beautiful location to celebrate a romantic break away with your partner, birthday celebration or as we did some girly indulgence.

'Macarooon' Concept Store, Kempinski Hotel Corvinus - Budapest


On a recent visit to Kempinski Corvinus in Budapest Hungary, we were fortunate to discover the hotels latest delicious sensation ‘Macarooon’. ‘Macarooon’ is a bright, fresh and sophisticated concept store located in the hotels front lobby selling an impressive collection of bedazzling macaroons ensuring that both guests and visitors alike are treated to an unrivalled taste experience. The 2014 collection consists of over twenty truly unique flavours with some limited addition must have’s depending on the season (Macaron day in March for example). We were really impressed with the vast array on offer and indulged in the following flavours that we have not previously seen on our travels including; birthday cake, bubblegum, cotton candy and cinnamon plum. In our experience the macaroons were bursting with flavours, the sensational ganache (the middle of the macaroon) made every bite blissful, and I am happy to admit we visited ‘Macarooon’ numerous times during our stay needless to say- we highly recommend a visit.





Kempinski Hotel Hall Erzsébet tér 7-8

Budapest, Hungary
1051
www.macarooon.hu