On my recent trip to Paris, I caught up with my friend Coralie for an afternoon of shopping and a bite to eat in the Marais. Steven headed over to the Palais de Tokyo to check out the latest exhibition, allowing us a few hours of girl time.
We met up at our hotel Bourg Tibourg and headed out into the Marais for a bit of an adventure. We shopped at Maje, American Vintage, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Repetto and Coralie showed me her favourite jewellery boutique, Marine de Diesbach. It has the feel of an artist’s studio with handmade pieces that you can’t find anywhere else.
Another stop was at the wonderful Palais des Thés, where we sampled green tea and jasmine tea paired with financiers. Continuing the tea and cake theme, we headed up to rue Debelleyme in time for the ‘quatre-heures’ (tea time).
Coralie took me to a new profiterole place that had recently opened, but she left the name as a surprise until we arrived (needless to say I was thrilled). Profiterole Chérie is a bijou little patisserie and tea salon that simply offers traditionally French choux with a twist.
Profiterole Chérie is the first Parisian patisserie by acclaimed pastry chef Philippe Urraca (awarded Best Craftsman of France in 1993). It’s pretty and oh so Parisian with dreamy pastel pink walls, marble tables and highlights of dove grey.
Profiteroles are freshly-baked at the store and prepared to order at the open counter. The menu features choux filled with ice cream or pasty cream in a variety of flavours, as well as a special profiterole of the moment.
Knowing that I would be eating dessert later on, I went for the light and fruity Ma Chérie citron meringué (€6). The crisp, freshly-baked chou was filled with smooth, cool lemon curd cream and topped with meringue sticks and lime zest. It was accompanied by a pot of zingy, sharp citrus coulis to pour over the top.
Coralie’s Ma Chérie Paris-Brest (€6) was a delicious blend of velvety praline cream, roasted hazelnuts and rich chocolate sauce (if you love Nutella, this is the one to order).
We washed down our profiteroles with cups of Earl Grey tea (€3), although I would be tempted next time to try the chocolat chaud.
Profiterole Chérie is a delightful spot for an afternoon pastry fix and a good gossip. It’s surprisingly affordable for the area and feels friendly, intimate and unpretentious. I can definitely see it becoming our new Paris tradition.
Visiting Hotel du Vin Newcastle with my mum always feels like a real treat and the last time I was back up North, we dropped by for afternoon tea before shopping.
I would have thought that a good roast would draw the Sunday crowds, but the lounge at Hotel du Vin Newcastle was filled with couples and groups of girlfriends enjoying afternoon tea and glasses of Champagne. There was even a little Bichon Frise taking a sneaky nibble at its owner’s cakes in the corner.
We sat on plush leather sofas and were swiftly brought a pot of the most fragrant and lovely loose-leaf Earl Grey Tea. Afternoon tea was then presented on a pretty three tier china stand.
We started with some excellent finger sandwiches that included roast ham, smoked salmon, roast chicken and egg mayonnaise. I’m not usually a fan of tea sandwiches, but the fillings were so delicious and of high quality – the ham and roast chicken were particular favourites.
Freshly-baked scones were served warm on a wooden tray with a thick scoop of clotted cream and strawberry jam. The cakes were beautifully-made and were surprisingly substantial, in fact we had trouble finishing them and took a few home. Rather than lots of mini items, Hotel du Vin’s offering was more focused, with larger portion sizes.
The Red Velvet Cake was dense and moist with a striking hot pink cream cheese frosting. The dome-shaped Carrot Cake was lighter and slightly spiced with a delicate swirl of fresh cream on the top. The indulgent Chocolate Eclairs were smothered in a thick layer of dark chocolate and the exquisite choux pastry was filled with fresh cream.
Afternoon Tea at Hotel du Vin Newcastle is classic with a fun twist and is extremely good value at just £14.50 per person. It’s a perfect treat following a day of shopping or a long walk along the nearby Quayside.
The Diamond Jubilee is the perfect excuse for indulging in the quintessentially British art of afternoon tea, in fact, I’m sure Her Majesty would actively encourage it!
I recently visited The Petersham Hotel in Richmond to sample its Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea as part of an overnight stay. I always enjoy going to Richmond, as it always feels so quiet and refined – a peaceful sanctuary for when the city becomes overwhelming.
The Petersham is housed in a 19th century mansion, nestled between Richmond Hill Common and Petersham Common. It boasts magnificent scenery, stretching across acres of green land and the river.
We were given a suite overlooking this fabulous landscape. The room was very spacious and designed in a traditional style, although it appeared recently renovated. The bathroom was contemporary and well-appointed and I liked the separate sitting room with an extra TV. Highlights included complimentary wifi access, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobe and slippers and Gilchrist & Soames bathroom amenities. The bed was large and reasonably firm – not like the marshmallow paradises of newer hotels, but still comfortable.
The design of the room probably won’t appeal to the more design-conscious guest, but then again, The Petersham knows its audience, and it’s certainly not jet-setting hipsters.
After settling in, we headed downstairs to The Restaurant at The Petersham for the Champagne Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea. The restaurant was already buzzing with the sounds of families, couples and groups of friends all working their way through the afternoon tea.
The restaurant has an informal, energetic atmosphere and features panoramic windows, offering a spectacular view over the river and rolling countryside.
On arrival, we ordered a pot of Earl Grey and English Breakfast tea and a glass each of ‘Petersham Champagne’ (£12.50).
The Champagne Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea (£23.50) included a bottom tier of finger sandwiches and a top plate of home-made fruit scones with West Country clotted cream and strawberry preserve. The middle tier featured cakes including blackberry and strawberry tartlets, Battenburg cake, fondant fancy, opera cake, choux swan and fruit cake.
The finger sandwiches were fine and I particularly liked the fresh home-made scones and the boldly fragrant Earl Grey tea. The cakes were of a high standard and were a good choice for a traditional British tea. However, our tea seemed slightly unfinished, as the menu stated more than one of certain cakes and were were expected to split a fondant fancy and a choux swan between us (not an easy task).
Other tables appeared to have the correct amount and Union Jack flags embellishing their cakes, so this inconsistency was disappointing. The supplement of £12.50 per glass of Champagne also seemed a little steep, especially as it wasn’t a premium brand or a superior ‘house’ Champagne.
The Petersham is somewhat rough around the edges and at times I felt like phoning Mary Portas to come and lick it into shape. However, I’m sure it will remain a local favourite due to the spectacular view and enviable location.
The Petersham Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea is served until 24 June 2012. £1 from every Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea will be donated to the Museum of Richmond.
London is a city in constant change, but there’s something curiously traditional about Mayfair with its age-old tailors, gentlemen’s umbrella shops and dusty old arts institutions.
Mayfair has remained defiantly eccentric and there are only a handful of West End hotels where you can experience such character and charm…
Established in 1851, Flemings Mayfair is a real hidden gem – an elegant boutique hotel spread across six Georgian townhouses on the whimsically named Half Moon Street.
Tucked away on a peaceful semi-residential street, Flemings is just a short walk from bustling Green Park, the beautiful shopping arcades and gentlemen grooming shops along Picadilly.
On arrival we were met by Branca Sabbagh, the formidable Guest Services Director, who showed us to our room, which she had personally selected for us.
Our room was magnificent – spacious and beautifully designed in an palette of pearlescent beige, cream, ice green and purple, with accents of silver and glass.
Waiting for us on the table for each of us was a delicately wrapped gift of handmade biscuits with a welcome note.
This was a lovely touch, especially when we saw during our tour of the rooms that every guest receives such a sweet welcome.
Our room had all the comforts that you would want for a home away from home – tea and coffee making facilities, a writing bureau, plenty of comfy seating, lots of storage space, a large flat-screen TV, and a stack of lifestyle magazines to work through.
The king-size bed was heavenly with sumptuous linen and despite the central London location, we had a very peaceful sleep with very few disturbances.
The bathroom was large and covered entirely in marble, just like the traditional London palace hotels. We loved having the luxury of a separate bath and walk-in shower.
The bathroom was furnished with plenty fluffy towels, embroidered Flemings bath robes and slippers and bathroom spa products by Gilchrist & Soames – very fitting for a Mayfair hotel.
The warm, dimly-lit corridors at Flemings are lined with stunning black and white photographs depicting ‘the good life’, from screen goddesses in Hollywood to summer in the Mediterranean and legendary movie scenes.
A counterpoint to the contemporary design of the hotel is a beautiful, traditional stained-glass window, commemorating the opening of the hotel.
After settling in, we headed downstairs for a quick tour of the restaurant, salon and bar areas followed by an exquisite afternoon tea in the front room.
We ordered pots of Earl Grey and Darjeeling second flush tea from the extensive tea menu and worked our way through the cake stand of delights, starting with delicious finger sandwiches.
We munched on warm scones with clotted cream and jam, victoria sponge cake and a delectable range of mini pâtisserie, Primrose Bakery cupcakes and chocolate truffles.
The front room is so relaxing and homely that we made ourselves at home (albeit a much prettier home) and stayed for most of the afternoon. Staff left us to our own devices but came in every so often to top up our tea and offer more hot water.
Flemings has strong links with the Flemings art collection and features a piece of art from the collection in the front room every month.
In the evening we strolled into Soho for dinner at one of our favourite Japanese canteen restaurant, OSatsuma. The Chicken Katsu Curry (£8.50) is slow-cooked and comes in a massive china dish with steamed rice, a soy and ginger side salad and a pot of miso soup.
In the morning, we headed down to breakfast and were greeted by the lovely Darren, Food and Beverage Manager, asked us about our stay and the afternoon tea before showing us to our table.
The continental breakfast breakfast is simple, well-considered and of excellent quality.
We enjoyed a large pot of fresh coffee and ordered Eggs Benedict and a Cheese Omelette with toast from the cooked menu – both delicious.
Everything was beautifully presented and it’s lovely to have breakfast in the restaurant.
After we reluctantly tore ourselves away from the room, we had a tour of the guest rooms and luxury apartments with Branca. There are various colour schemes and rooms are carefully selected to be compatible with each guest’s requirements and duration of stay.
The apartments are mostly used by families staying in London for a number of nights and have a more traditional design than the contemporary hotel rooms.
What sets Flemings apart from other bijou townhouse hotels is the warm, familiar service. Staff are as attentive as you’d expect, but they make a point of remembering guests and building a rapport during the stay. The head staff are visibly proud of Flemings as though it were their own home and to see this dedication is something very special.
Flemings Mayfair is ideal for a first-time stay in the most charming part of London, a romantic getaway or an indulgent shopping weekend. Not only a stunning, design-led hotel, Flemings has such character and a warm atmosphere that you might never want to leave.
This week I was invited to join The Goring’s centenary celebrations and sample their brand new Winter Tea.
Tucked away in prestigious Belgravia, The Goring is London’s oldest privately owned hotel, now run by Jeremy Goring, the fourth Goring at the helm of The Queen Mother’s favourite hotel.
Perfecting the quintessential English afternoon tea for 100 years, The Goring has been the proud bearer of the Tea Guild’s Award of Excellence for two years running. So of course, expectations were high!
The new Winter Tea is served in the Lounge and Terrace, a club-style lounge with warming log fire adjoining a classic yellow-hued salon overlooking the hotel’s private gardens.
We started by choosing a tea from The Goring’s extensive tea menu including a fragrant Earl Grey and delicate floral tea such as Jasmine or Rosebud tea.
I absolutely adored The Goring’s sunshine yellow and gold china and noticed that you can actually buy the dinner service in the reception.
Then came a large glass of The Goring’s special centenary Ayala champagne – a crisp, soft and rounded champagne that complemented the tea.
The tiered plates of treats began with a generous selection of finger sandwiches – egg mayonnaise with watercress, smoked salmon, coronation chicken, guinea fowl and wild mushroom.
The sandwiches are classic but with an interesting seasonal game addition of guinea fowl and wild mushroom.
These were followed by delicious, freshly baked fruit scones and plain scones served with clotted cream, strawberry and raspberry jam.
The real excitement came with the top tier of decadent pastries. My favourite was the bubblegum meringue – a delicate pastel pink meringue that cracked to reveal oozing vanilla pastry cream and really did taste just like bubblegum.
The peanut and chocolate caramel slice was creamy and delicious and the plum and almond tart showed off the talents of the pastry chefs.
Other scrumptious cakes included a home-made Jaffa Cake, hazelnut and jam sandwich and a festive mulled wine and pear jelly with cinnamon cream.
The Goring’s charm lies in maintaining its proud heritage matched with a warm family atmosphere, unpretentious but attentive service and a passion for high quality, seasonal food.
The Winter Tea at The Goring is the perfect balance between lavish teas at the palace hotels and the more contemporary fashion or themed teas – classic with an interesting twist.
The Goring’s Winter Tea is served from 3-5pm daily and is priced at £34 per person (£45 with a glass of Ayala).
The Winter Tea is available from November 2010 – February 2011 at The Goring, Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW. To book a table, contact (020) 7396 9000.
With the summer drawing to a close, afternoon tea sounds more appealing than ever. Wardrobes are no longer centred around ‘poolside’ and have been restocked with cosy camel coats and forgiving high-waisted trousers, so it’s time to bring on the cake and indulge!
Harvey Nichols have collaborated with celebrated pastry chef Claire Clark on a limited edition ‘pop up’ pâtisserie on the Fifth Floor.
Inspired by childhood treats, Claire adds a luxury twist to old favourites, with such creations as Jaffa Cake Macaroons, Mini Battenburgs, Peanut Butter S’Mores (if you grew up Stateside) and Bubblegum Marshmallow Pavlovas.
For the grown ups among us, there are some utterly refined delicacies like a Sesame Opera, Pistachio and Passionfruit Pain de Gene (French Genoa cake), Praline Roulard, Rose and Raspberry Éclair and more…
A bespoke tea blend, with an Earl Grey base and fragrant lavender note has been created to complete the selection of cakes and is available to buy from the Foodmarket at £3.95 for 125g.
This is the first time that Claire’s cakes will be available outside of the exclusive restaurants and h0tels that she has worked with: The French Laundry in California, Sandy Lanes in Barbados, Claridges, The Wolseley, The Ritz and the House of Commons.
The pop-up installation has been specially created by renowned designer and art director, Fiona Leahy, who has worked with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Garrard, Christian Louboutin and of course, Harvey Nichols.
Claire Clark is also launching a limited edition afternoon tea at the Fifth Floor Restaurant, inspired by the fashion week style capitals: New York, London, Paris and Milan. There will be delicious sandwiches, freshly made scones with a selection of jams and of course an array of exquisite cakes.
The Claire Clark Afternoon Tea will be available at the Fifth Floor Restaurant for a limited period between 13th September and 26th September and is priced at £35, or £45 with a glass of Harvey Nichols Champagne. To book a table, contact 020 7235 5250
The Claire Clark Pâtisserie will be open in the Fifth Floor Foodmarket from 13th September – 18th November.
