ROYAL-TEA AT WELLINGTON LOUNGE, INTERCONTINENTAL PARK LANE

It was hard to believe that a whole year has passed since my first visit to The Intercontinental London Park Lane to try the Scents of Summer afternoon tea, so it was a pleasure to return this year to try the Royal Tea. As the official hotel for the Patron's Lunch this year, they had teamed up with fellow event Partner Pimm's to create an Afternoon Tea that celebrated Her Majesty The Queen's 90th birthday and a lifetime dedicated to service.

We started with a Pimm's Royale cocktail, which set the tone for a summery selection of pretty English classics fit for a Queen. 
This may actually be my first Pimm's for the year, as I longingly lust for the summer which officially began on 1st June, but whose presence is yet to be felt...

We decided to leave our choice of teas in the hands of our knowledgeable waiter, Thomas, who hand-picked recommendations from the extensive Wellington Lounge loose-leaf tea menu to complement the sweet and savoury treats. The lovely tea menu was created together with The Northern Tea Merchants to develop blends that are exclusive to InterContinental London Park Lane. 
The first tea was one of my favourite teas: Second Flush Darjeeling which tastes quite fruity with a unique muscatel flavour.

Advised to begin eating from left to right (or right to left, depending on which way your plate was facing), we started with the Speyside smoked salmon with cream cheese, followed by the Scottish lobster and shrimp with Marie Rose sauce. 

Next was a simple but satisfying carrot bread sandwich filled with hen egg and cress, and a classic honey roasted ham with English mustard. Last but not least was a free range Coronation chicken served with apricots; a modern take on the dish created for The Queen’s coronation banquet in 1953. This was most definitely my favourite amongst them all so I cheekily requested for an extra serving of it.

After finishing our sandwiches, a plate of lovely warm scones was brought to the table - I do like places that bring the scones out in between separately as opposed to leaving it to go cold on the table at the beginning. Scones always taste better when they are warm after all ...

We each had a mini sultana and buttermilk scone which were light and fluffy, served with Devon clotted cream and strawberry preserve - eaten the (right) Devonshire way of cream before jam, of course.

Finally, after much self-control and resistance, it was time to tuck into the rather fashionable plate of mini-desserts featuring ‘The Queen’s Hat’ Tipsy cake, 'The Queen's Crown' Victoria sponge soaked in Pimm’s, 'The Queen's Handbag' coffee and walnut cake, and The Queen’s Summer Garden Party,' a Champagne and gooseberry fool. 
 This was all washed down with a tall refreshing glass of iced berry tea.

We both thoroughly enjoyed our indulgent afternoon at the Wellington Lounge, and my second visit was just as warm and welcoming as the first time.

The Wellington Lounge at Intercontinental Park Lane remains as one of my top recommendations for afternoon tea in London - great location, delicious food, and exceptional service.

The Royal Tea menu offer ended in June, but you find out more about their Scents of Summer afternoon tea on their website, and don't hesitate to book yourself in - because everyone deserves a treat every now and then...

The Cheekster, signing out x

I was invited to review, but views remain my own.

CAFE MONICO + BIRDCAGE AFTERNOON TEA AT PARK LANE HOTEL

Just less than a week before the wedding (the best friend's - not mine!), and it looks like I have failed in resisting the temptation to indulge in more good food over the weekend. 

First up is Cafe Monico, located on bustling Shaftesbury Avenue, inspired by the original Cafe Monico, established in 1877, and serves French-Italian dishes in a traditional brasserie setting.

We were seated on the upper floor where natural light flowed in through the windows, on a table which overlooked the bar downstairs. Our friendly waiter arrived with a basket of warm, crusty baguette with butter. He recommended The Cafe Monico Cobbler as an aperitif, which came served in a silver cup and straw, topped with a slice of peach and a bite-sized flapjack - someone must have known that I was hungry and peckish (!)

My starter of grilled octopus was nicely cooked and well-marinated, served on a chilled salad of potatoes. The steak tartare look appetizing with a bright egg yolk on top, and had a nice texture, although we both found it a bit too spicy - I generally like spicy food, but prefer to add my own marinade to my steak tartare.

I had the lamb chops as my main, which although did not look quite as pink, was actually really tender, served with chickpeas and two flavourful merguez sausages. I would have preferred the dish to be slightly less 'wet', but overall the flavours were nice.

The skin on the sea bass was quite crisp and lightly seasoned, served on a bed of black cabbage and a squeeze of lemon to add a citrus-y zest.

The highlight of the meal for me was most definitely the Paris Brest, one of my favourite French desserts, with a light choux pastry filled with rich indulgent praline cream - so worth the calories.

The Crêpe soufflé Grand Marnier was also delicious. I would recommend to save space for dessert- one of my life rules that I strictly live by...

A great location for theatre-goers or those looking for a casual lunch/dinner, after-work drinks...

And after yet another break from afternoon tea, we celebrated Sarah's birthday at The Palm Court at Sheraton London Park Lane, where they serve the Birdcage Afternoon Tea. The beautiful lounge which features original Art Deco offers a glimpse into the magic and history of the roaring 20's.

There are 27 tea blends, from which I chose the Elderflower Darjeeling.
As the name suggests, three-tiered trays in the shape of birdcages were placed before us, displaying a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, buttery plain and sultana scones, and a variety of fine pastries.
From the savoury selection, I particularly liked the mini dill and seaweed scone topped with Severn & Wye smoked salmon and caper cream, and the confied chicken curried mayonnaise on basil bread. 
The scones were served with clotted cream and some interesting homemade preserves, such as the rhubarb and ginger jam.
 The cakes and pastries were really pretty and delicate, and not overly sweet, which I liked.

And to celebrate Sarah's special day, they also brought out a birthday cake for Sarah which was really sweet of them.

Overall we had a lovely and relaxing experience, and there was also a harpist playing music in the background, which always adds a nice touch.   

I will be flying off to Canada in a few days, and will most probably continue posting whilst I'm away - hopefully about something exciting (food and wedding-related!), and not about something unfortunate, like losing my luggage at the airport (!) 
It's okay, I've got travel insurance, just in case...

The Cheekster, signing out x

AFTERNOON TEA AT PARK CHINOIS

Park Chinois has been on my list for a while, but I never realized that they did afternoon tea until a friend of mine suggested it. Walking through the heavy red velvet curtains, we are greeted at the front reception desk before being led through another set of doors, above it hung a notice with the words 'On Air'.
The red colour theme continues throughout, with interior decorations and furniture that give a 1920's Chinese dance hall feel to it.

The place is rather lavish looking, with floors lined with red carpets, sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, and waiters smartly dressed in white jackets. A string quartet starts to play, which adds on to the ambience.

There was the option of having the afternoon tea with tea, coffee or hot chocolate - there was quite an extensive variety of teas, from which I chose the Rare Earl Grey tea. 

We started off with a Selection of Traditional Sandwiches:

Cucumber, cream cheese, pickled cucumber, tomato, shiso, whole wheat bread

Norwegian smoked salmon, crème fraîche, dill, whole wheat bread

Egg mayonnaise, mustard cress, whole wheat bread

Chicken coronation, buckwheat bread

Each one neatly cut and filled with generous fillings, like they should be. 

 The warm raisin and plain scones were served with homemade strawberry and bitter orange compote, and organic Cornish clotted cream.

And finally the selection of pastries and cakes were brought over to the table, and what a scrumptious looking selection it was:

 Apple crumble

Hazelnuts & apricot sacher

Honey & pistachio financier

Vanilla, saffron & mango mousse

Lemon Victoria cake

Chocolate duo

Fior di fragola

Religieuse

Each one of them were really tasty, but my favourites were the honey & pistachio financier, and the religieuse which had a light and airy choux pastry.

I also have this thing about fancy toilets, so if this floats your boat too, I would recommend a visit, even if you didn't have 'to go'...

The afternoon tea experience was one of pure indulgence that I would add to my list of recommendations if you are looking to treat yourself. The dim sum menu also looks pretty tantalizing and reasonably priced, so I will definitely be visiting again soon.

The Cheekster, signing out x