High Tea in London

By Edith Hall Friedheim

As quintessentially British as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, Cornish Pasties and Steak and Kidney Pie, the gracious afternoon ritual of High Tea has been a British staple since it was introduced in the late 1700’s by the Duchess of Bedford to stave off hunger between breakfast and dinner (lunch didn’t exist at the time). Today, more than 200 years later, tea growers, blenders and caterers are keeping the tradition alive in London’s grand hotels and cozy teashops.

With some exceptions, the “full works”—regular, herbal or infusion tea (or coffee or hot chocolate), finger sandwiches, scones with preserves and clotted cream, crumpets and various other pastries—costs between L15.00 and L35.00, but keep in mind there are no extras like the bottles of wine and flavored coffees that can double the price of lunch or dinner. In fact, theatergoers can easily replace dinner with High Tea at any of the well-known establishments below as a cost-effective albeit calorie-rich prelude to an evening show.

Athenaeum Hotel
Winner, along with Brown’s Hotel, of a 2009 Tea Guild Award for Top London Afternoon Tea, the Athenaeum has revived a whimsical Victorian tradition called Pink Tea. As the name suggests, all table decorations and accents must be pink. The summer Floral Garden Tea menu offers pink champagne and pink meringues along with its more traditional menu items.

Hours: 2 to 6 pm daily.

Price: L26.50 or L33.00 with a glass of Kir Royale or Pink Champagne.

www.athenaeumhotel.com

Brown’s Hotel
Founded in 1837 by James Brown, a former valet to the poet Lord Byron, Brown’s guests have included, Rudyard Kipling, Alexander Graham Bell, and Agatha Christie.  Its recent refurbishment notwithstanding, the venerable English Tea Room retains its original wood paneling, Jacobean plasterwork, and town-house atmosphere, where guests can sink into armchairs while the waiters fetch any one of 17 different teas and a choice of almost as many bakery items.

Hours: 3 to 6 pm weekdays; 1 to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Price: L35, or L44-48 with a glass of champagne.

www.brownshotel.com

Capital Hotel
As if its five-star accommodations and service weren’t reason enough to visit the Capital, this charming Knightsbridge property just steps from Harrods boasts the only Michelin two-star hotel restaurant in London. Its maverick chef Eric Chavot is a specialist in the art of innovative and truly exciting cuisine. In the hotel’s cozy Sitting Room silver sets dispense a wonderful selection of teas and some of the most delicious patisserie in all of London. To avoid disappointment, book ahead.

Hours: 3 to 5:30 pm.

Price: L18.50, or L29.00 with a glass of Gossett champagne.

caprest@capitalhotel.co.uk. www.capitalhotel.co.uk.

Laduree Harrods
Hidden away on the ground floor of London’s landmark department store, Laduree is a branch of a well-known Paris establishment founded on the Rue Royale in 1862. Traditional Afternoon Tea at this Knightsbridge location includes a choice of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, dainty finger sandwiches, buttery croissants, and assorted tarts and other pastries. Laduree’s signature macaroons come in about a dozen different flavors; they’re pure ambrosia and not to be missed.

Hours: 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Price: L21.00

www.harrods.com

Edith Hall Friedheim is a free lance writer specializing in travel and leisure.

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