Afternoon Tea - House Of Coco Magazine

Food & Drink December 12, 2023

Seasonal Sips: A Modern Connoisseur’s Festive Tea at TĪNG Shangri-La

Embrace the enchanting spirit of the season and enjoy iconic views of London by indulging in a cherished English tradition: the delightful experience of an afternoon tea at TĪNG Restaurant and Lounge by Shangri-La. A recent visit to TĪNG by our House of Coco couple, Eulanda and Omo Osagiede inspired a festive mood and left indelible impressions.

A Time-Honoured Tradition With a Festive Flair

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and what better way to usher in the festive season than to enjoy the revered English tradition of afternoon tea at one of London’s most iconic restaurants and hotels?

The time-honoured ritual of English afternoon tea gets a touch of elegance when combined with the excellent service and hospitality of the world-renowned Shangri-La brand. The modern connoisseur can expect to enjoy a selection of hand-crafted sandwiches and pastries and an impressive collection of curated teas served with traditional elements such as a three-tiered serving tray, delicate tea cups and glistening utensils.

The annual experience of Christmas at Shangri-La saw us step into a beautiful winter-themed wonderland from the ground floor reception. We took the lift up to the 35th floor and were welcomed into a world of festive colours and sparkling decorations as we emerged into the warmth of the TĪNG Restaurant and Lounge.

Dispensing with the solemnity of tradition, the decidedly informal but festive setting of the TĪNG Lounge made us feel relaxed and created a mix of curiosity and excitement as we were ushered to our table for our afternoon tea experience.

Regardless of where you sit at the TĪNG Restaurant, British weather permitting, you can expect to enjoy commanding views of the London skyline including views of the Thames River, the ever-changing architecture of City of London, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

If the weather decides to act up, the unique architecture of The Shard means that you will have the unrivalled experience of dining in the clouds, similarities of which are featured in the TĪNG festive afternoon tea presentation.

Seasonal Ingredients and a Tea Adventure

Our experience began with a welcome blackcurrant purée and lemon juice palate cleanser followed by a sparkling glass of Louis Roederer Brut (Vintage 2015) champagne. Cocktails and mocktails are also options on the menu.

Attempting to choose from Shangri-La’s signature teas was where our adventure really began. Their extensive menu included a range of high-quality black, green, white and herbal teas with delicate flavours and indulgent aromas. We chose a Masala Chai – a spicy and robust brew – and a Green Gunpowder, a traditional green tea from the Zhejiang province of China.

The bottom tier of our three-tier serving tray held an assortment of crustless finger sandwiches filled with seasonal and fresh ingredients. Our selection of fillings included roast turkey, smoked salmon and cucumber, roast beef and truffle egg. Each bite into these moist and delicate sandwiches unleashed a range of delightful flavours.

In a slight departure from tradition (scones were served separately) the middle tier featured a savoury chicken and duck liver cherry jel hors d’oeuvre and a mini-burger containing roasted celeriac and confit black garlic.

The top of our tray tier was essentially Christmas on a plate with meticulously crafted miniature treats including a ‘Reindeer Mont Blanc’ made with blackcurrant and chestnut mousse and a ‘Red Bauble’ made with green shiso mousse, grapefruit and black pepper.

The quintessential freshly baked scones arrived after we had finished the tray items and were served with the traditional clotted cream and jam.

Elevated Experience and Impeccable Service

Our favourite and final item was the ‘Festive Shard’ white chocolate treat with a dry ice presentation that elicited the feeling of being amongst the clouds which, given our position on the 35th floor on a cloudy day, we actually were!

To wrap up our TĪNG festive afternoon tea, we dived back into the tea menu and made different selections. We spent the remainder of the time immersed in the views that surrounded us as we sipped our teas.

The entire experience was elevated thanks to the impeccable service provided by the attentive TĪNG Shangri-La staff, who ensured our utmost comfort and enjoyment.

The Festive Skyline Afternoon Tea at the TĪNG Restaurant and Lounge, Shangri-La, is available from 14th November 2023 to 14th January 2024, and is priced at £89, or £99 with a glass of Champagne. Afternoon tea is served between 12:30 and 15:30 on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and up till 16:00 on weekends (Friday to Sunday). See ting-shangri-la.com/afternoon-tea

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

Coco Eats: Asian-inspired Afternoon Tea at The Westbury Mayfair

For a low-key Lunar New Year celebration, our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies visited The polo Bar at The Westbury Mayfair for an afternoon of pastries and scones, with an Asian-inspired twist.

We skipped the hustle and bustle of crowded China town and headed over to lush Mayfair for a new kind of Lunar New Year Celebration. Because this year, The Westbury Mayfair ushered in the ‘Year of the Rat’ in true style with an afternoon tea experience with an Asian-inspired twist.

While The Polo Bar retained its quintessentially British elegance, The Westbury Mayfair didn’t skimp on the Asian treats throughout the Afternoon Tea experience. We began with some champagne and two mandarin oranges (which are a symbol of wealth and prosperity in Chinese cultures). This was followed by a series of sweet and savoury treats with all the culinary savoir-faire that The Polo Bar has become known for.

We highly recommend the Tea Quail eggs, which combine umami mayonnaise with green tea, red shiso, and croustade. These savoury bites come in crunchy edible egg cups which makes for the perfect mouthful. The Polo Bao ‘char siu pork’ steamed buns are another highlight and will satisfy even the most discerning Chinese Food lover. The finger sandwiches, of which our favourite was the smoked duck breast with hoisin sauce – are also equally delectable.

On the sweeter side of things, we also recommend the Pineapple Tart, which is made with freeze dried pineapples, delicately wrapped in 20-carat edible gold leaf. The Mandarin & Chocolate Cake is equally delicious and is made with black tea mousse and mandarin gel.

The pièce de résistance, however, has to be the Matcha Mousse; which is made with Melaka Mousse, Matcha almond sponge and Matcha Meringue. To top it all off, this sensational dessert also has Matcha ‘moss’ and hazelnut ‘soil’ which is home to an edible chocolate bonsai tree.

The Asian-Inspired Afternoon Tea is accompanied with a selection of loose leaf teas from Whittards. These include a coconut tea, an oriental English breakfast tea, and our personal favourite a lychee tea. ‘Bobba’ fans can also enjoy an authentic cup of ‘Bubble Tea’ with a generous serving of pearls too. The Asian-inspired The Westbury Mayfair is available every weekend from 12 noon to 6pm.

THE WESTBURY MAYFAIR

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

#TeamCocopup: by CHLOE’s Afternoon Tea with a Plant-based twist

Hailed as one of New York’s beloved vegan fast casual brand, by CHLOE.’s Covent Garden home is soon becoming London’s favourite plant-based restaurant. If you’re looking to indulge in some tea and cakes, minus all the guilt, then by CHLOE.’s Afternoon Tea is definitely the afternoon Tea for you.

Served in the two candy coloured long tables in the middle of by CHLOE.’s totally Instagrammable space, the Afternoon Tea is composed of British inspired tea sandwiches and cakes — but with a healthy twist! For instance, the tuna in the classic tuna sandwich has been made with chickpeas, the Egg Salad is made with Tofu, and the Smoked Salmon is made with marinated tomato filets, seaweed, and smoked chipotle. Moving onto desserts, the tea cake selection is composed of baby cakes, cupcakes, and scones made with special egg and butter-free flour. All washed down with some tea selections from by CHLOE.’s official tea partner, Good & Proper Tea. (We swear, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in taste, but your body will thank you afterwards!) So everyone from vegetarians and vegans alike can rejoice and partake in the quintessentially British tradition without having to worry about a thing.

TeamCocopup Charlie didn’t miss out on the plant-based action too, because he got his own bag of 100% organic and plant based Peanut Butter Dog Treats from by CHLOE.’s in-house brand of healthy doggy treats. So if you’re looking for ways to spend an afternoon with your pup this spring, then definitely pop into by CHLOE. – for some afternoon tea that’s easy on the eyes and even easier on your health. After a busy work week and lots of boozy after-work situations, by CHLOE.’ s British inspired Afternoon Tea was exactly what this mum and pup needed to recharge and refresh for the week ahead.

https://eatbychloe.com/

by CHLOE.’s Afternoon Tea will be available Thursday to Sunday from 2.30pm to 6pm at both UK locations, with bookings to be made via the website, https://eatbychloe.com. This will be the first-time customers are able to reserve a table at both Covent Garden and One Tower Bridge venues. Reservations are only accepted for Afternoon Tea. The Afternoon Tea will be priced at £20 per person with the option to add bubbles for £7.50.

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

Wake up here: The Bell at Stow

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in August, we set out on a coco couples adventure to the Cotswold’s to escape city life…

Located above an unassuming pub in Stow-on-the-wold, The Bell hosts a set of neat and whimsical wonderland themed rooms. Our check-in was quick and the staff really friendly and approachable. Once we went up to the room we stayed a little while to enjoy the decor and see the thoughtful additions such as the ‘Eat me’ and ‘Drink me’ bottles on the tea tray. The greatest addition was the help-card left for us mentioning that in case we forgot anything at home, they had certain necessities downstairs for us should we need. Safe to say this definitely came in handy as I always forget something! The view from our ivy-draped window across the green countryside was so inspiring and enticed us to get out and about.

Exploring the Cotswolds

After admiring our room, we headed straight out to explore our beautiful surroundings. We found Stow-on-the-wold a perfect location for a first-time visit to the Cotswolds, as it is full of quaint tea rooms, arts and craft shops, and located only a four minute drive from other neighbouring villages. Naturally, we were in our element strolling around Stow and we even managed to drop into a tea-room for a quick afternoon tea before heading off to explore the surrounding countryside and villages. For a stroll down the river we headed to Bourton-on-the-water and paused by a pub garden to take in more of the quintessential Cotswold architecture. We also managed to explore Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter, where you will find an amazing old Mill turned into a museum and vintage shop.

Food at The Bell

We returned to our room at the Bell shortly before dinner and headed downstairs where live music was beginning to play. One of the loveliest things we found about the Bell at Stow was that it is a nicely decorated and down-to-earth pub, but the food is most certainly not your usual pub grub. The roast dishes looked absolutely enviable and were so in-demand that there was no more available (meaning it must taste as fabulous as it looked). After eyeing up the many mouthwatering plates around the room, we settled for starters of chicken, apricot and pistachio terrine with chutney and sourdough toast and a smoked salmon, crab, green apple and fennel salad with chilli dressing. For mains we went for a rib eye steak with salad and chips. After the generous portion sizes, we managed to share a desert of iced Cotswold gin and lime parfait with lavender shortbread as we wanted something small and a little bit different to a normal dessert. The recommended dessert wines on the menu were a really nice touch.

Fancy exploring the Bell at Stow yourself?

https://www.thebellatstow.com/

Twitter: @TheBellatStow

Facebook: @thebellstow

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

#TeamCocopup: A doggy staycation at The Egerton House Hotel

After months of searching, TeamCocopup Charlie and I have finally found London’s best dog-friendly hotel, and it’s the perfect place for a luxury doggy staycation.

Located in a quiet tree-lined street in Knightsbridge, just a quick walk away from the busy shoppers at Harrods’ and the lush greenery of Hyde Park, The Egerton House Hotel is classic luxury at its finest. The hotel was originally built in 1843 and overlooking perfectly manicured private gardens; a luxurious sanctuary in the heart of vibrant Knightsbridge. The Egerton House Hotel has all the signatures of a Red Carnation Hotel; from its beautiful and timeless interiors, to its warm and truly impeccable staff, and everything else in between.

The exceptional service at The Egerton House is felt from the moment you step foot in the door; and the staff pull out all the stops when rolling out the red carpet for your four legged friend. Every room at the Egerton House is pet-friendly, which is hardly the case with other London hotels. We checked into our beautiful studio suite. ‘Studio’ is an understatement, because these rooms are as spacious ad they are indulgent. A muted colour palette is contrasted with a stunning vaulted ceiling,a cosy sitting area, a king sized bed with 200 thread count Belgian linen, and two glasses of bubbles patiently waiting our arrival.

Don’t fret – TeamCocopup Charlie also got the works, with his own luxury dog bed, two bowls full of treats, doggy matts, towels, and his choice of breakfast, dinner, and afternoon tea – with his very own doggy menu. The doggy afternoon tea is held in The Egerton House’s beautiful Ivory hued Drawing Room and is definitely worth mentioning. The hotels afternoon tea celebrates the great British tradition with panache.From traditional loose leaf teas, to minimal asian flavours, and even some show-stopping herbal infusions; the Egerton House Hotel has something for even the most discerning tea connoisseur. While I enjoyed a glass of champagne with my afternoon tea, Charlie enjoyed a three course doggy menu of his own — also served in doggie-themed three-tiered tea stand. This very special doggy menu comprises of home made chicken and beef meatloaf, freshly baked dog biscuits, and some pure fruit doggie ice cream, not to mention some pup-friendly PAW-secco too — now that’s VIP (Very important Pet) treatment.

As House of Coco’s official doggie journalist, Team Coco pup Charlie has explored plenty of dog-friendly places in London, but nowhere reaches the same level of puppy-pampering as the Egerton House Hotel. The Egerton House Hotel exudes all of the essential charms of a luxury British hotel, balanced with the warm familiarity of a family run establishment.

WWW.EGERTONHOUSEHOTEL.COM

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

Take a tour of London’s famous landmarks over Afternoon Tea

Town House at The Kensington launched their new London Landmarks Afternoon Tea this week on board one of the cities infamous icons, The London Eye and Team Coco were invited along to try the menu.

Following the success of their record-breaking Tale As Old As Time offering, the new Afternoon Tea takes inspiration from London’s most recognisable and historic landmarks, taking diners on a tour of the capital’s most famed structures.

On board the London Eye we were served a selection of sandwiches to start, so far pretty standard but the jewel in the crown of this Afternoon Tea comes in their sweet offering. High above the Thames with views stretching as far as Wembley we were served architectural triumphs such as The Gherkin, crafted from White Chocolate with a Dark Chocolate Ganache and The Shard made of Carrot Cake & Milk Chocolate. Alongside an iconic London Telephone Box imagined in Rhubarb Mousse and Big Ben-inspired Lemon Curd Tart, the new London Landmarks Afternoon Tea menu is complete with London’s quintessential treat, Scones served with Heather Hills Strawberry Jam & Clotted Cream. The design and creativity behind the menu is fantastic, these tasty sweet morsels look too good to eat. Town House has successfully captured the London skyline on a plate.

General Manager, Francesco Sardelli told us how his cycle route around London which takes in some of the city’s iconic sights, influenced the menu design. Town House’s new skyline of scones, sandwiches and sweets is available to book now. Paying homage to the capital’s famous buildings, London Landmarks is presented on a London Eye-inspired tea stand. The Afternoon Tea is served alongside a bespoke map of London, beautifully illustrated by Eleni Sofroniou. This pretty pocket map is a cute take-away for guests, highlighting Kensington Palace and The Tower of London as well as archetypal spots such as Covent Garden and Big Ben.

The entire new menu, carefully crafted by Head Chef, Adi Mandokhot is a celebration of London, with guests also able to enjoy a selection of savouries: a cockney staple Steak & London Ale Pie and a Colston Bassett Stilton & Broccoli Quiche alongside a bite-size Crab Cake with Tartare Sauce & Caperberries. Highlights of the sandwich selection include Smoked Salmon, Lovage Pesto & Cream Cheese on Brown Bread, Egg and Cress Bridge Roll using eggs from Heritage breed Copper Marans hens, Coronation Chicken Sandwich on Brown Loaf.

This menu is bound to be a big hit with Afternoon Tea aficionados who are looking for something special. Town House is the signature restaurant at The Kensington hotel and is spread across three classically designed drawing rooms, serving locally-sourced, seasonal modern British cuisine. Nestled in the heart of one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods – complete with stylish décor, hand-picked furnishings and open fireplaces it’s the perfect setting to indulge in this offering of sweet and savoury delights.

London Landmarks Afternoon Tea Menu is available now at Town House, The Kensington Hotel, £42 per person or £54.50 with a glass of Perrier-Jouët, Grand Brut NV Champagne.

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

#TeamCocopup: A luxury Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough

There are very few hotels in London that are as classically stunning as The Lanesborough. Last weekend, TeamCocopup Charlie made his way to the Lanesborough, for a doggy afternoon tea at one of London’s most prestigious addresses.

As a member of the esteemed Oetker Collection, The Lanesborough Hotel is the absolute embodiment of London luxury. Cross the street and you’re immediately within the green expanses of Hyde Park. A quick hop skip and jump away and you’ll be in Knightsbridge, the world’s most exclusive shopping district. Perusing the carefully curated shop windows at Harrods, and Harvey Nichols. Charlie and I learned that a quick game of fetch in Hyde Park is the best way to calm the doggy nerves before afternoon tea at The Lanesborough.

Designed by Alberto Pinto, this grand luxury mansion features 93 beautiful luxury suites and bedrooms. After being greeted by the hotel’s chivalrous doormen, we were led to the Lanesborough’s beautiful Withdrawing Room – where we would settle in for our afternoon tea. Sumptuously decorated with gold details, luxurious velvet trim, hand-painted trompe l’oeil marbling and shimmering chandeliers; The Withdrawing Rooms looks exactly like how you’d imagine the Queen’s Royal drawing room to be –and here, both mums and pups get the royal treatment. We sat down in a prime spot right beside the fireplace, and Charlie was given to his own little doggie bed too.

Afternoon Tea is such a quintessentially British pastime, and it doesn’t get more British than at the Lanesborough. Every afternoon tea begins with the perfect brew, and The Lanesborough has one of the widest tea selections in London. With over 40 choices of tea to choose from, The Lanesborough’s afternoon tea menu is as exhaustive as it is indulgent and includes black, green, and aromatic herbal infusions. Our lovely waiter Luca took us through their expansive menu, and soon our stunning three tiered afternoon tea stand arrives. A mix of perfect cut finger sandwiches, wonderfully rich clotted cream, fresh fruit preserves, and freshly baked scones, and scattering of delightfully flavoured pastries and cakes. Our instant favourite were the incredibly light blackberry cheesecakes which sat on the top tier of our cake stand. Kudos to head pastry chef Fabio Bardi, because not a single pastry was too sweet or soggy, with even the most subtle of flavours brought to life. Charlie got some treats of his own, care of Bob and Lush at The Lanesborough. Bob & Lush is completely natural and is made of 100% freshly prepared meat, and are basicallyirresistible for any hungry pup. These treats are free from any artificial preservatives or colorants which means they are perfect for any sensitive puppy tummies. Safe to say — it was almost impossible to keep Charlie away.

Throughout the years, the Lanesborough has gained the reputation of being one of the best luxury afternoon teas in London – and for good reason! Incredible service, sumptuous surroundings, and an utterly delicious afternoon tea mean that the Lanesborough is really where the magic happens. The Lanesborough is a definite must-visit for tea and cake loving mums and pups the world over, especially for those looking for a very special way to spend a doggy afternoon.

www.oetkercollection.com

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

Information About Japanese Desserts And Pancakes

When you think about Japanese food you probably think about sushi, but have you ever thought about Japanese desserts? Believe it or not, Japanese sweets have been famous since ancient times. They are not only attractive to the eye but their sweet flavor is one of the best flavors you will get when it comes to desserts. No matter the season of the year, you will always find a different Japanese dessert that represents each season.

Japanese desserts are always creatively and deliciously made. There are many types of desserts you should know about and here we can give you an idea of which would be the best desserts to try.

Momiji Manju is a dessert original from Miyajima. This dessert is a mix of dough, flour, water, sugar starch and filling that is boiled together and it gives us a result of one of the best desserts you can ever try in Japan. They are always served cold and most of the time they have a maple leaf shape. They can be filled up with different things depending on the customer´s tastes. The feelings can include cream cheese, red bean paste, chocolate or custard cream. Children love this dessert not only for its taste but also for its texture, they are soft to the touch which makes them easy to digest.

Another famous Japanese dessert is called Honey Toast. This is a curious and unique Japanese dessert made with the top end of a Japanese milk bread loaf. The process is fairly simple, which includes removing the soft part of the bread and then cut it up into small cubes which are later either fried or toasted in the oven. The shell that you have aside is toasted separately. When the cubes are ready, they are put back into the shell. Once the shell is filled with the cubes, condensed milk and honey are added on top of it. People usually put the topping they want but the most common toppings are whipped cream, fruit ice cream or candy. This is a big dessert that it’s too much just for one person. It is a tradition in Japan to share this desert between friends or family.

A dessert that you can find anywhere you go is the Mitarashi Dango. This is a delicious dessert with an unusual flavor. A Dango is a round shape dumpling made of rice flour. These dumplings are later put on a stick usually in trees, fours or fives. They can have different colors such as green, white, pink, and, orange but no matter which color they have, they will always taste the same. What makes a Mitarashi Dango different from others is that it has a soy sauce glaze coating on the outside providing a perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite.

If you like eating bread for dessert, you will love The Melon Pan. This is a sweet bun that is original from Japan. It is called like this because it’s outer part looks like a cantaloupe. The top of the bread is crispy and it has a soft inside. Of course, it doesn’t have the flavor of melon and you can find it either with chocolate chips or nuts depending on the place where you buy it. You can also get it with flavored cream fillings.

A good dessert for kids is that Taiyaki. This is a fish-shaped cake that is usually made of pancake or waffle batter. It is made on two different molds because the filling has to be inserted in between. Once the filling is ready the two parts are closed and put to bake until it gets its golden color.

If you love eating strange desserts the Anmitsu would be the desert you have always been looking for. This dessert is usually eaten for summer and it is made of small cubes of agar jelly. This is a transparent jelly that is made from red algae. This dessert is served in a bowl and it comes with black syrup that you are supposed to pour over it. Before you eat it, can add all kinds of fruit to it such as Peaches, cherries, pineapples, or Kiwi. Most of the time, it also includes boiled peas or bean paste.

We all love ice cream and Japanese desserts have it. Kakigori is a type of shaved ice that is sweetened with artificial flavors. You can get it in strawberry, melon, grape, Lemon, Cherry or vanilla and it can be made with milk or with water. If you are the kind of person that avoids dairy, this is the perfect dessert for you. You can top this delicious dessert with different kinds of fruits such as berries, cherries, strawberries and even with sweet red beans.

At last but not least you should try the Japanese pancakes. This type of Pancakes is so soft that whenever you eat them it will be like eating a fluffy cloud. We all love pancakes. We have eatenthem for many years at Dessert restaurant in Toronto. We always keep on looking for the best pancakes now as adults. Japanese pancakes are not like the western pancakes that we know. They are not flattened and instead they are pillowing and soft. These delicious pancakes can we filled with cream cheese, chocolate or anything you want. You just have to be creative whenever you’re making a Japanese dessert.

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

What to Eat in London This Month

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, autumn is most definitely here and with it comes a slew of new dishes to whet the appetites of London. From the latest openings to our favourite must-book menus, here’s our pick of what to eat in November that will really tickle those tastebuds.

1. Sample the dark side of Mexican dining

Esteemed Mexican chef, Martha Ortiz, is celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) through the Painted Black menu at her authentically modern Mexican restaurant, Ella Canta. The Park Lane dining room encourages guests to discover the flavours of Mexico with a touch of the colour of death, in honour of the famous Mexican holiday.

Available until 16th November, the dramatic menu of six courses includes a series of traditional Mexican meat and fish dishes, including Octopus with Black Sesame and Lime and Seabass with Onion Ash powder and Potato Puree. Guests will end their experience on a sweet note, with a refreshing Hibiscus sorbet, with beet and orange candy and for the grand finale, they will discover María la Catrina, a creation which represents immortality, an ornate creation inspired by La Calavera Catrina, the elegantly-dressed skeleton figure and symbol of the Day of the Dead celebrations. Don’t forget to accompany your deadly feast with one of their new cocktails; The Lady in Black is a citrus focused margarita made with Amarillo Chile infused Patrón silver tequila, Cointreau, Rinomato Bianco aperitivo, lime juice, angostura bitters and Serrano Chile. Spine-chilling.

Available until 16th November at £70 per person, inclusive of a cocktail.
www.ellacanta.com

2. Dine the deep sea without leaving Covent Garden

The clue is in the name, but FishWorks’ arrival to theatre land brings with it the very best fresh fish and seafood, responsibly sourced from Devon and Cornwall’s fish markets and day boats. With its beautiful marble oyster bar, in-house fishmonger and an opulent private dining room, the new FishWorks Covent Garden – sister restaurant to the existing Marylebone site – the purse- and time-friendly theatre menu offers two courses for £16.50 and three for £20.50.

With lavish lobster dishes, towering fruits de mer platters, classic fish and chips, bottomless brunches and a seafood bouillabaisse with £1 from each bowl to the Fishermen’s Mission charity, it’s a pescatarian’s dream. For those who fancy themselves a bit of a home chef, the Marylebone restaurant is hosting a Christmas cookery masterclass on Saturday 23rd November with a crash course in how to fillet your fish, shuck your oysters and cure your salmon, followed by a lunch with individual wine pairings and a selection of seasonal sides. The masterclass runs from 10am -12.30pm and is priced at £200pp.

FishWorks 2-4 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JY
www.fishworks.co.uk

3. Swap Spain for California with Victor Garvey’s latest launch

Fans of Victor Garvey rejoice, for his award-winning Catalan restaurant Rambla is relaunching as SOLA. The Soho space will be serving food from and inspired by California, after undergoing a total refurb and reopening with its new look next week.

The chef’s followers will know he always has an eye on the next project and, with the successes of Encant, Sibarita and Rambla behind him, the latest adventure – a portmanteau of ‘Soho/Los Angeles’ – sees a shift away from the Spanish food of Rambla to the modern cuisine of his father’s native California. Expect a menu featuring high class American comfort food like Lobster Pot Pie, Kingfish Crudo with gazpacho vinaigrette, white miso ice-cream, watermelon, tomato raisins and Mussels & Clams with pistachio, lime & chilli butter, dipping soldiers.

SOLA 64 Dean Street, London W1D 4QQ
www.solasoho.com

4. Get your Alpine fondue fix ahead of ski season

Switzerland comes to Mayfair this season as the Swiss ski resort of LAAX has unveiled their LAAX baby! bar at Mews of Mayfair. The ski bar transports drinkers to the snowy slopes of LAAX, where laid back living, meets nostalgic party vibes, serving a wide range of alpine cocktails, in collaboration with One Gin and the UK’s most celebrated sparkling wine, Ridgeview.

The cocktail list includes the Galaaxy Shots – a shot of frozen apple and One Sage Gin to really get the après-ski party started – the kirsch and moscato tinged White Haze and a Rocks Negroni, but it’s the food menu that will get your stomach growling. Traditional delicacies on the menu include a Bündner Teller, a charcuterie board of air dried meats, wagyu bresaola, fennel & garlic salami, coppa and Swiss Comte cheese, as well as a traditional Swiss cheese fondue, made from a blend Le Gruyere AOP, Schlossberger and Reblochon Cheese, melted down with white wine and a splash of kirsch. It’s as delicious as it sounds.

LAA baby! at Mews of Mayfair, 10-11 Lancashire Ct, Mayfair, London W1S 1EY
www.mewsofmayfair.com

5. Start feeling festive with a winter afternoon tea

Now Halloween is over we’re allowed to start getting excited about Christmas… right? Festive dining is my kryptonite, and the new winter afternoon tea from Scoff & Banter is going straight to the top of the nibble list. A contemporary British tea with a wintry twist, the new treats will be available in their Tea Rooms at Oxford Circus and in their Kensington location, which has also partnered with the iconic Natural History Museum Ice Rink for a unique ‘Dine & Skate’ experience, with packages from £28.50 including a two or three-course meal or afternoon tea along with tickets to the ice rink. New sweet treats on the menu include lemon & white chocolate meringue, a raspberry & vanilla choux crumble and coconut glazed sponge cake.

Over at the Scoff & Banter Tea Room on Oxford Circus, guests can choose from winter comforts includingmini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef, horseradish creamed potato and red wine sauce and pancetta-wrapped wild boar and apple sausages with roast potatoes.

www.scoffandbanter.com

6. Get your Freak (Scene) on at lunchtimes

Soho pan-Asian restaurant Freak Scene has launched a new street food concept for its lunch offering alongside a brand new autumn menu. The brainchild of chef Scott Hallsworth, since opening last March it’s continued to showcase inventive and creative Asian cooking. Eight new dishes will pack a serious punch for the colder months and will include Phar’s Thai mackerel tacos with kaffir lime mayo, whole butter roasted lemon sole with spicy shiso ponzu and Takikomi gohan – Japanese rice hotpot with roasted pumpkin, fried tofu and wasabi.

With a new lunch menu inspired by Scott’s travels in Thailand earlier this year, The Freak Scene Kanteen (situated in the restaurant) is open Monday – Friday 11am – 3pm and customers can choose from a base of jasmine rice or thin egg noodles and a top of crispy frame fried chicken, spicy Thai pork sausage, miso grilled aubergine with a chilli, lime & tomato relish and walnuts and slow cooked sweet soy and ginger short rib, customised with homemade sauces and all from just £6.50.

54 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4SL
www.freakscene.london

7. Get a festive food fix at Taste of London

Fans of the Regent’s Park summer event will revel in four days of festive delights at Tobacco Dock, where you can celebrate best food and drink from London’s internationally renowned culinary scene.

New additions include Soho favourite Berenjak, Thai barbecue masters Smoking Goat, Lewis Hamilton-backed Neat Burger with its plant-based burgers, and the hotly anticipated Bubala, which opened in September and features vegetarian Middle Eastern food from ex Berber & Q and Barbary chefs. Also joining the line-up are Taiwanese legends BAO and XU and finally Master Wei, bringing a taste of Shanxi cuisine with its legendary noodles, as more than 120 artisan producers will line the Grade 1 listed former warehouse, transforming it into a winter wonderland with dozens of foodie workshops on offer, including alcoholic jam making and interactive paella-cooking tutorials. Fans of a festive tipple can also enjoy pop up bars and masterclasses from the likes of Tanqueray No. TEN, Ketel One and Johnnie Walker Whisky.

Open from 21st – 24th November
www.london.tastefestivals.com

Afternoon Tea August 18, 2023

High Seas High Tea at The Landmark London

The grande dame of luxury 5-star hotels in London, The Landmark has recently undergone a major £1.3m refurbishment. Part of that project is to launch a brand-new luxury Champagne Bar. It is on a mezzanine level on their famous garden terrace. The vision of tropical palm trees and the eight-storey-high glass atrium recalls a bygone era of glamour and high society. The Champagne bar designed by Alex Kravetz Design is created to blend in with the luxurious surroundings. The main bar is hidden under a foliage-laden glasshouse. The furnishings have a mixture of vibrant greens, blues, and gold that transports you to the Jazz Age era.

Accentuating that imagery is their High Seas High Tea offering. The hotel offers a traditional afternoon tea at their famous Winter Garden Restaurant but at the Champagne Bar, it is very much seafood-focused. It is available every Saturday and Sunday between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm. You will also hear the melodic piano sounds emanating from the Victorian Winter Garden atrium. They use the term ‘sandwiches’ but what is served up at the beginning is more tartlets of umami delights from the sea. They offer a tartlet of Scottish lobster, a tartlet of poached langoustine, salmon pastrami, Cornish white crab and yellowfin tuna. Focusing on local produce, the freshness of the seafood is top-notch. The salmon and tuna exuded healthy omega-3 fattiness, whilst the shellfish had a gentle sweetness when you bite into the firm, fresh meat. Each creation has been carefully crafted to maximise the flavours of the seafood. For example, the yellowfin tuna is served with ponzu, black sesame, toasted rye, and fennel butter. The citrus notes from the ponzu are a match made in heaven with the enticing tuna.

The fruity flavours were very much in evidence with their scones and desserts. The scones were either freshly baked apple or raisin scones. All the condiments you would ever need were present from clotted cream to a plethora of jams. The options included Bergeron apricot, London marmalade, strawberry, rhubarb, redcurrant & vanilla and raspberry deluxe. Each scone was generously sized and I have no doubt, they would offer you a refill if you asked.

The desserts were exquisitely presented with a parade of appetising colours. If you are looking for something subtle and delicate, there is the tartlet of nectarine, ginger, mascarpone and raspberry gel. The nectarines were sliced with military precision and presented in an intricate rose shape. If you are looking for textural variety, there is the black cherry and pistachio bakewell. The key is all the creations were sweet without being overbearing. And they do offer boxes for you to take away anything you can’t finish. They only use the finest of ingredients from Valrhona dark chocolate in their choux to English strawberries in their Swiss rolls.

The tea offering also shines brightly in this regal afternoon tea experience. They have green teas, herbal teas, oolong tea and white tea. That includes very high-end options such as Snow Buds white tea. which is high-altitude-grown white tea made entirely of silver-haired tea buds. That creates an elegant, sweet-flavour profile with delicate vegetal notes.

The afternoon tea is available at £75pp or £88pp with a glass of Ruinart Champagne Brut.

If you visit in the evenings, they do still offer seafood-focused small plates, as well as heritage tomato tart and British cheese plates. They also serve a caviar selection that ranges from platinum caviar to the rare, golden oscietra. They have a lengthy Champagne selection that includes on the top end, Krug, Grande Cuvée MV. They can offer a Taittinger Champagne flight, which is 100ml per glass which is great if you want to pair your glass of bubbly with your seafood.

If you want to impress friends or family with a special treat, do consider inviting them to a High Seas High Tea at The Landmark London.

To find out more about the afternoon tea, please visit

https://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/dining/champagne-bar/