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
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