Читать книгу London's Afternoon Teas, Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition - Susan Cohen G. - Страница 8

Just minutes away from three of London’s most famous museums, the light and airy Drawing Rooms within Kensington’s Ampersand Hotel are the perfect place for an excellent afternoon tea inspired by the Science Museum. The stylish décor is a combination of English drawing room and salon de thé, with richly upholstered deep sofas and comfortable armchairs, and helpful, friendly staff will guide you through the menu and the teas on offer.

Rather than the usual sandwiches, the chef has come up with a super selection of delicious variations on the savoury course. Expect filled miniature gougère or generously topped bite-sized tartines, seasonal mini quiches, or tiny bagels or blinis topped with smoked salmon and avocado. Follow these with warm scones, both plain and studded with white chocolate, served with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam, before you get to the pastries, which are the star turn and bound to entrance any children in your party. The Natural History Museum gets a nod here with the shortbread dinosaur biscuits, but science is the overriding theme, with changes to the menu made from time to time. There might be a Milky Way macaron or a chocolate mint planet, and you get to experiment with test tubes full of colored crystals, chocolate pearls, and toffee sauce, plus cocoa powder to dust over a biscuit and reveal a fossil. Add a glass of champagne for the ultimate treat. This is definitely one of the most entertaining teas in London, and bound to bring a smile to your face, whether you are nine or ninety.

ADDRESS: 10 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER

TEL: +44 (0)20 7591 4414

EMAIL: drawingrooms@ampersandhotel.com

WEB: www.ampersandhotel.com

AFTERNOON TEA SERVED: Monday to Friday 2.30pm–5.30pm, including bank holidays; weekends 12.30pm–5.30pm

SET TEAS: Science Afternoon Tea, Vegetarian Science Afternoon Tea. A gluten free alternative is available on request on the day.

NEAREST UNDERGROUND STATIONS: South Kensington

PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY: Royal Albert Hall, Albert Memorial, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Serpentine Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Christie’s Fine Art and Antiques, Harrods