Afternoon tea at The Lancaster London
For Mother’s Day this year I’d hoped to be able to treat my wonderful Mum to afternoon tea, but sadly it wasn’t to be at the time. Thankfully Lancaster London, the stunning hotel overlooking Hyde Park, has just launched a new Afternoon Tea and I was delighted to be invited to try it out last weekend.
The hotel is in a fantastic location with Marble Arch and the plethora of Oxford Street shops a five-minute stroll away and with Knightsbridge and Harrods just 10 minutes by taxi. The hotel’s New Executive Chef Ben Purton has created a fun but traditional Afternoon Tea that sounded perfect as a belated Mother’s Day treat!
Mum and I set off for London from The Barn early on Saturday morning and headed straight for the National Gallery with it’s stunning domed ceiling – I hadn’t been there for years and we spent a wonderful couple of hours perusing the amazing paintings by Cezanne, Renior and the other Impressionists.
After a quick trip to the flagship of our favourite department store, John Lewis (well it would be rude not to right?) we hopped into a taxi for a walk down memory lane to our old house in a mews opposite Hyde Park. It was strange seeing how much had changed but also how much had stayed the same and it sparked off some reminiscing about my childhood days playing in the park while we ambled the short walk to the Lancaster London.
When we arrived at the hotel Macou, who I later found out was a trainee – I had NO idea because she was utterly brilliant and so professional – showed us to our lovely table with a comfy sofa and chairs. She explained that afternoon tea should be a relaxing experience, that we were to take our time and have fun. Just what we needed after a morning rushing around London!
Macou made us feel completely at ease and we sank happily into the sofa to sip on glasses of Laurent Perrier champagne, peruse the menu and make our first selection of tea from the 14 different blends on offer. Yep 14! From traditional English Breakfast to a caffeine free herbal blend called Wild Encounter, Spicy Rooibos, Early Grey and even Pai Mu Tan; China’s rarest and most famous white tea – we were spoilt for choice!
I choose Darjeeling and Mum decided on White Pear and Ginger and within minutes Macou arrived with our choices in beautiful teapots along with a mini sand-timer each to make sure our Novus Tea was brewed to perfection. A lovely touch!
And then this arrived. WOW.
While we waited for our teas to brew we sampled our first course; a selection of sandwiches including smoked salmon – the salmon is smoked on site for six hours giving it a delicate flavour which is utterly delicious – a roast beef filled Yorkshire pudding with horseradish cream, egg and wild cress and, of course, cucumber. All beautifully presented on Wedgwood China for an extra touch of finesse.
I put my gluten-free mantra to one side for the purposes of this review (I know, it’s a hard job right?) but I was pleased to learn that the Lancaster London does have gluten-free alternatives which they’ll happily prepare with 48 hours notice.
We also had a perfect little wild mushroom, chicken and tarragon tarlet to round off the savoury portion of our tea. The pastry was rich and short without being cloying – too often pastry shells can be flaky or disappear in your mouth without any sign of being there. These were delicious (although Mum did find a small piece of gristle in hers which was a shame).
We chatted about this and that, enjoying some Mother-daughter-time while we let our sandwiches settle then switched to English Breakfast tea to go with our second course of mini scones with homemade jam and clotted cream served warm straight from the oven. Heavenly!
The scones were the perfect combination of slightly crunchy on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside and I admit I devoured both of mine in moments (Noom nearly exploded when I did my food logging!)
Maybe it was just that day, but there was a lightness in the air that was just wonderful. Women enjoying each other’s company, couples relaxing on sofas. There was more than one bachelorette party at the hotel during our visit and the sound of laughter and happiness permeated the air – what better accompaniment to afternoon tea?
Our delicious afternoon tea rounded off with a selection of sweet bites from the pastry chef. The white chocolate and pistachio lolly pops, apple and honey cupcake were SO sweet that we just couldn’t finish them. Our favourites were the chocolate and Amarena cherry tart and the passion fruit and raspberry macaroon – totally yummy.
It would have been nice to something a bit more tart or lemony to cut through the richness of the scones and give a little zing back to our indulged tastebuds – my only criticism of an otherwise faultless afternoon.
I couldn’t have wished for a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day and to thank my wonderful Mum for everything that she does for us. A word to the wise though… pace yourself! And wear elasticated trousers – this is an afternoon tea to savour with generous portions and delicious food so come prepared by not eating lunch so that you can really enjoy it all!
At the end of our lovely afternoon together my Mother told me that this was the best afternoon tea she’d had, beating The Ritz, Harrods, The Dorchester and Fortnum & Masons – praise indeed! She was most impressed with the very generous portion size of each part of the afternoon tea, the intricacy of presentation, the quality of the food and the fabulous service.
The new Lancaster London Afternoon Tea costs £30 (I consider this great value for money) and is served in the hotel’s sumptuous first floor Lounge Bar from 2pm until 5.30pm. The celebratory Laurent-Perrier Champagne Afternoon Tea priced at £40, which we had, is perfectly suited for special occasions like baby showers and birthday parties, or if, like us, you just want to treat yourself!
Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY. Reservations on 020 7551 6000 or visit www.lancasterlondon.com for more details.
Linking up at Brilliant Blog Posts over at Honest Mum, All About You at Mama and More, Post Comment Love at Verily Victoria Vocalises
I would have afternoon tea every single day of the week if I could! This looks divine – and I am loving those Yorkshire puddings. Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted…Project 365 – 19th to 25th April 2015
I keep on meaning to organise going out for afternoon tea but I never just quite get around to it. It looks like you had a fantastic afternoon; and the sight of those cakes are making me hungry for breakfast! #vevivos
Oh wow, this looks heavenly! I absolutely adore afternoon tea, in fact that’s why my blog name is Teacup Toria. I actually have one booked for tomorrow afternoon
The Lancaster looks uber posh and your mum looks like she had a wonderful time. Aren’t you a lovely daughter, my mum got a box of chocolates and some face cream, bless her 😉 xx
teacuptoria recently posted…Happy in Paris
Looks amazing! I love afternoon tea.
Pen recently posted…The Truth About my Religion: What do you think?
It looks like you had a wonderful time, so great to spend time just mother/ daughter. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…
Oh that all looks and sounds so lovely! Those Yorkshire Puddings sound amazing and have made me very hungry! Lovely pictures of you and your mum xx #sharethejoy
Louise @ Birds and Lilies recently posted…Wedding Planning: The Three Month Countdown
Oh wow this looks fantastic, and all of those sweet treats!! Yum!
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This looks amazing! Thank you for sharing and such fab photos #sharethejoylinky
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I love it Michelle!! It is a really hard job at times, ain’t it?!
The afternoon tea looks absolutely divine. I love the extra selection for the savoury menu, I’m often a little disappointed if it’s just a couple of sandwiches and a load of cakes (although let’s be fair, I’ll still enjoy everything to the full!). The tartlet and the yorkshire pudding just look wonderful! And the desserts are like mini works of art to rival the artwork you saw earlier – haha!
What a fabulous treat and I love that you took your mama
much love xxx
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p.s. I’m over from #AllAboutYou 😉 xx
hannah Mums’ Days recently posted…Hairstyles and shopping at Pikku
I love afternoon tea. One of my favourite pass times. Feels so decadent. It looks like you both had a great time
That looks delish! and such a nice way to spend an afternoon. Love that you did a walk-by of your old house, I do that too when I’m close to where I used to live, I think it’s essential!
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What a gorgeous way to spend a day with your Mum. Banking this – it’s about time I did something like this with mine. Thanks so much for hosting #SharetheJoy
Oh, how I love an afternoon tea and The Lancaster is fantastic, I was lucky enough to stay there with some friends not so long ago!
Your Mum looks so happy, you both do – what a lovely day out!
Xx
JoyandPops recently posted…Finding Joy – Focus On Parenting
Wow, looks amazing! It would be lovely to enjoy an afternoon tea in such a lovely setting.
Dawn of the Dad recently posted…Green Fingers
The Lancaster looks fab, and I bet this afternoon tea was utterly delicious. Sounds like your mum had a wonderful day too, and I’m sure she didn’t mind not celebrating on actual mother’s day (with the masses!) one little bit. Gorgeous post xx
Mummy Tries recently posted…Family Update: April 2015
Oh my giddy Aunt, it looks sensational! I’m a huge fan of afternoon tea – HUGE – and well, this one looks and sounds divine! What a perfect way to spend quality time with your Mum. Fabulous.
I’ve been for afternoon tea at The Ritz which I thought was pretty magical so I’m really impressed to hear that your Mum thinks this one was better. Must have to give The Lancaster a try and pop it on my to do list for next time I’m in London for pleasure.
Wonderful post darling – just absolutely lovely xxx
Kate /PoutingInHeels recently posted…Why are you hiding? The world needs you!
Oh what an amazing way to spend Mother’s Day. I love that you found time to take a trip down memory lane before you went for tea too.
The food and tea menu both sound divine. I’m glad your mum enjoyed herself!
Tinuke recently posted…Hotel SP34, Brochner Hotels, Copenhagen
It really was Tinuke – albeit a bit later than I’d anticipated! So glad we took the time to visit our old house too, it was wonderful x
Oh darling, this looks utterly wonderful and what a fabulous way to celebrate Mother’s Day too. I’ve stayed at the Lancaster but never had afternoon tea there (have had room service that was amazing), have at the Ritz though, as luckily my folks often stayed there (and the Dorchester) throughout our childhood and teen years and Mum. They still do now, but we’re not often invited! I think I need to sort an afternoon tea for Mum and I in Yorkshire. Glad to hear it beat them all and F&M’s- high praise indeed. Fab pictures too, you both look beautiful and positively glowing. Now I want cake. Immediately x
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It really was super Vicki and I’d thoroughly recommend it. We should SO do a blogger meet up here one day too! Thanks for your kind words as well xx
As an American, this is one tradition I truly wish we had here. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about “tea”, and although I enjoy an afternoon cuppa, I have never had a “formal” “tea”. I think if I ever do manage to make it to England that is the VERY first thing I will do is take myself and treat me to tea. A very formal and exotic one. I can not think of anything lovelier than having tea with my Mom. When she was alive, and living with me, we used to get up in the middle of the night and have a cup of tea together and just have a wonderful time, cream cheese and olive sandwiches and tea at 1 or 2am and wonderful mother/daughter talk time. I sure do miss my Mom, enjoy yours while you have her. Take her to as many Tea’s as you can.
Oh Heidi thank you so much for this lovely comment – afternoon tea really is one of those quintessentially British things that I hope we never stop doing! And don’t worry I plan many more treats with my fabulous Mother
If you ever do make it over here to the UK let me know! x
Oh I do so love an Afternoon Tea. I shall have to take The Girls next time we’re in London.
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So do I Kelly – nothing quite like it is there? And, although I was gifted afternoon tea by the hotel, the Lancaster London really is great value for money I think. Bonus that it’s so close to the shops too! Perhaps we should have a blogger meet up there one afternoon… *wonders*