The afternoon tea
at the renowned luxury boutique hotel, Flemings Mayfair is a truly decadent, gloriously
British affair.
Since a lavish 14
million pound refurbishment earlier this year, the hotel – a proud member of
the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, boasts an array of elegantly designed
rooms and opulent apartments, offering a glamorous home away from home in one
of the capital’s most exclusive areas.
Flemings is
regularly frequented by well-heeled Londoners, jet setters with refined tastes
and style-savvy celebs such as Kate Moss, Harrison Ford and Naomi Campbell -
who all revel in the venue’s plush ambience and impeccable service.
The quintessentially
English ritual of afternoon tea takes place from 12.30 to 5pm in The Drawing
Room – a chic space containing Tiffany blue and grey velvet furnishings,
elegant lighting, an original fireplace from 1851 and bookcases filled with
biographies of famous designers and style icons.
Chocoholics can
opt for the Chocolate Indulgence Afternoon Tea, featuring unique chocolate
scones and cocoa-rich sweet treats, or treat themselves to the signature afternoon
tea – a traditional assortment of sandwiches, cakes, pastries and scones.
During this
merriment-fuelled period, I was eager to try the hotel’s limited edition Yuletide
afternoon tea – similar to the signature tea, yet prepared with a suitably festive
twist. I took along my gorgeous friend Rodica who is a self confessed afternoon tea addict - and takes really good photos on her swanky, complicated looking camera.
Dry yet fabulously
fruity rose champagne was presented at the table in exquisitely tall flutes
before a three-tired tray arrives bearing an enticing assortment of baked goods
and crust-less English finger sandwiches – all meticulously cut and brimming
with various fillings. These include mustard-slathered ham, mayo-laden egg and
cress, lightly seasoned smoked salmon and of course, that good old Brit classic
- cucumber.
The
melt-in-the-mouth scones were fresh out of the oven, made to a special recipe
developed hundreds of years ago and are served with generous portions of
clotted cream and strawberry jam, so make sure you go with a hearty appetite - and
a naughty sweet tooth.
Flemings Hotel
prides itself on its vast range of fine teas by the iconic East India Company, which
includes green tea with jasmine pearls, buttery Lis-Han Oolong, spiced Bombay
Chai and (our favourite) the hotel’s signature Breakfast Blend – a strong, fragrant infusion to
suit most tastes.
This fabulously
British afternoon feast also features adorable mini Christmas puds, chocolate and
berry cream cakes and charming lemon tartlets topped with quaint turquoise
Christmas trees that evoke essential Christmas cheer, and somehow manage to
cleverly match the décor of the room too.
I urge you to visit this magical place. Go in your finest clothes with a carb-loving buddy and prepare to nom yourselves to festive oblivion.
