Читать книгу London's Afternoon Teas, Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition - Susan Cohen G. - Страница 10

Situated in the heart of Mayfair, opposite Green Park, the Athenaeum Hotel is one of London’s few family-run five-star hotels, and a complete refurbishment has transformed it into an elegant, modern hotel that retains a home-away-from-home atmosphere. The famed Living Wall on the corner of the building has been extended, and the Michelin-starred Galvin brothers, Chris and Jeff, now head the kitchens. Afternoon tea can be served in the lounge, seated in the more formal Galvin restaurant, or in the comfy bar. Don’t be disconcerted by the large TV screen at the far end of this room – it shows major sports events such as Wimbledon and the World and Euro Cups, and when these are not around, you can catch up watching romantic, retro movies, making a connection with the earlier use of the building by the Rank Organisation. There is also an outside terrace on Piccadilly where you can sit and enjoy your tea while you watch the world go by.

The courteous staff take the greatest care of you, from describing the various menus, to helping you choose from the select list of artisan leaf teas, to serving you. Both the sweeter Classic and the Royal teas as well as the more savoury Gentleman’s tea showcase the country’s very best ingredients, including Cumbrian ham and fresh smoked salmon from Severn & Wye. Sandwiches have delicious and generous fillings on tasty breads, including beetroot, ‘pain de mie’, and onion, and are replenished as often as you like. The Royal menu features a bridge roll filled with Eggs ‘Drumkilbo’, a favourite of the late Queen Mother, which is a wonderful concoction of egg and tarragon bound in a lobster mayonnaise, then topped with crayfish and garnished with a sprig of chervil. There is a different selection of delectable pastries on each of the Classic and Royal teas. You can expect the likes of a macaron, delightful fairy cakes, Scottish shortbread, and miniature Eton Mess, with changes reflecting the seasons and produce of the year. Of course there are scones, both fruit and plain, with jolly good house-made preserves and clotted cream. The savoury tea – which of course is not just for gentlemen – has cheese scones with an Alsace bacon butter, a fruit-filled Eccles cake served with a wedge of Lincolnshire poacher cheese and chutney, a Scotch egg whose yolk is cooked to perfection (still slightly runny), a sausage roll

ADDRESS: 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ

TEL: +44 (0)20 7640 3333

EMAIL: galvin@athenaeumhotel.com

WEB: www.athenaeumhotel.com

OFFERS: see www.afternoontea.co.uk/uk/london

AFTERNOON TEA SERVED: Monday to Saturday 12.30 noon–4.30pm, Sunday 12.30 noon–5.30pm. Advance booking advised, especially for the Gentleman’s Tea.

SET TEAS: classic, gluten and dairy free, Royal, Gentleman’s, occasional seasonal themed afternoon teas

NEAREST UNDERGROUND STATIONS: Green Park, Hyde Park Corner

PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY: Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Green Park, Admiralty Arch, Royal Academy, Burlington Arcade in crisp puff pastry, and a crumpet covered with a delicious Lancashire ‘Bomb’ cheese rarebit. Should you still have room, there are slices of sourdough toast waiting to have Gentleman’s Relish spread on them, all washed down with a dram of the Athenaeum’s specially blended Scotch whisky. There is still a slice of proper cake waiting to be eaten, or taken home if you really can’t eat it. Everything flows at a leisurely pace and there is never the slightest hint of being rushed, so relax and enjoy the experience.