Creative surprises, good company and a truly unforgettable experience. My Afternoon Tea at the Conrad London St. James Hotel was an entertaining affair that I’m happy to recommend to any and all (though I was uniquely fortunate to experience each of the seasonal tea themes in one sitting at a hosted event). Afternoon Tea at the Conrad London is an absolute must for Afternoon Tea lovers or London visitors, so put it at the top of your list. In this case, saying something is not indescribable is a compliment, and it’s my pleasure to describe it in every delectable, colourful little detailed morsel!
That being said, a picture is worth a thousand words (give or take), so I think you won’t mind if a take a little shortcut to share the magic.
Zoe Wager, designer and Executive Head Pastry Chef, truly makes Afternoon Tea at the Conrad London an art, without sacrificing a single morsel on the journey to a deeply satisfying too-full-for-dinner conclusion. Listening to her describe the inspiration, care and effort she has poured into each seasonal design was inspirational, and I can certainly say she is one of the most talented chefs I’ve met; these Teas are Grade A palette-and-eye-pleasing entertainment, each with its own touch of *`*`magic`*`*.
The themes and available times are as follows:
- Alice in Wonderland
- St. James’s Glorious Garden
- Summer in the City
- Autumn Bramble
Each of the seasonal themed teas must be experienced, so go ahead and mark your calendar, call up the girls or guys and get a-booking (worry not, I’ll supply booking information shortly). My personal favourites were St. James’s Glorious Garden, complete with (very yummy) dirt (yes, dirt…or artfully crushed olives, but hey ho) and fresh veg, and Summer in the City, complete with mojito macarons and ‘tequila sunrise’ jelly and custard shooters. I’m telling you, Zoe is one fun lady! The little details are incredible and take each design to the next level – bees on cake pops for the Garden and acorns on a leafy, grassy display for the Bramble.
My favourites aside, the Autumn Bramble actually stole the show; undeniably, the colours and design are a masterpiece that absolutely capture the essence of an English autumn. Just writing about it fills me with longing for that blackcurrant macaron…
Afternoon Tea at the Conrad London St. James is hosted in the light and elegant Emmeline’s Lounge, an inviting venue that offers a comfortable and cozy arena for conversation and relaxation. Beautiful lighting, a fireplace, eye-catching floral arrangements and a large, tastefully presented lenticular print of Alice in Wonderland (in our very own St. James’s Park!) grace the lounge with a unique ambiance that is ideal if you’re looking for something extra for a special Afternoon Tea. In this central area of Westminister, full of London heritage, royalty and politics, you can’t go wrong. And at £49 for the flowing G.H. Mumm champagne (a royal family supplier) option and £35 without, you’ll have a better all-around experience than most 5-star Afternoon Teas in London.
But beware, spot-lighters! The tea spreads themselves shall prove worthy rivals of thy attention, as they please the eye, the mind and the tongue.
The seasonal menus and booking information can be found on the Conrad London St. James’s page for Emmeline’s Lounge. Reservations can be made by phone or email (020 3301 1400 or tea@conradstjames.com) or on the online booking system for Emmeline’s Lounge.
I should also mention the service was top notch. Each member of staff, Maximyllian in particular, was extremely knowledgeable about each element, and it was no trouble at all to have gluten-free options pointed out.
Have you had Tea at the Conrad London? Share your experience below!
Source: www.theluxetravel.com/cuisine/dining/afternoon-tea-conrad-london-st-james/