Best Place In London For Tea
Jun 10th, 2004, 05:28 AM
#22
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Steve_P
My daughter and I went to the Orangery last week (twice!) on our London trip. I loved the ambiance. It's a beautiful rectangular building located in Kensington Gardens. Twenty foot windows, statues on either side (inside) with lots of nice millwork. It is not formal. Some people dress up, others were in capris, jeans, etc. We came right from the park so I was not dressed up, and felt very comfortable. We went once for lunch, and once for tea. Once set tea menu which I chose was: choice of tea/coffee, cucumber/cheese sandwich, fruit scone, clotted cream, jam, and orangery cake. Definitely not as elaborate or full of choices as some of the other venues, but very reasonably priced and as I said, I loved the ambiance and it's definitely 'kid friendly'. We also went to Fortnum & Masons (downstairs) and I had the sticky toffee pudding, which was incredible! Waitstaff was a bit stuffy. I don't know about upstairs, but downstairs, you just ordered tea and a dessert (and/or a meal), there wasn't a set 'afternoon tea' menu.
My daughter and I went to the Orangery last week (twice!) on our London trip. I loved the ambiance. It's a beautiful rectangular building located in Kensington Gardens. Twenty foot windows, statues on either side (inside) with lots of nice millwork. It is not formal. Some people dress up, others were in capris, jeans, etc. We came right from the park so I was not dressed up, and felt very comfortable. We went once for lunch, and once for tea. Once set tea menu which I chose was: choice of tea/coffee, cucumber/cheese sandwich, fruit scone, clotted cream, jam, and orangery cake. Definitely not as elaborate or full of choices as some of the other venues, but very reasonably priced and as I said, I loved the ambiance and it's definitely 'kid friendly'. We also went to Fortnum & Masons (downstairs) and I had the sticky toffee pudding, which was incredible! Waitstaff was a bit stuffy. I don't know about upstairs, but downstairs, you just ordered tea and a dessert (and/or a meal), there wasn't a set 'afternoon tea' menu.
Jun 17th, 2004, 11:39 AM
#23
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Lisa1:
We just got back today and we did go to the Orangery on June 2. We really enjoyed it and felt the desserts and tea were very good. It had exactly the right ambiance for us with our kids. Maybe on our next visit we will try one of the fancier places.
Steve
We just got back today and we did go to the Orangery on June 2. We really enjoyed it and felt the desserts and tea were very good. It had exactly the right ambiance for us with our kids. Maybe on our next visit we will try one of the fancier places.
Steve
Apr 21st, 2005, 09:57 AM
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I'm going to top one of these ubiquitous tea threads....
While I'm not dying to have tea in London again, I think that my mom would really enjoy it. We had tea at Savoy and we both liked it. She still talks about it.
I've also had tea at Brown's and Lanesborough. Didn't find either particularly memorable.
I read some of the old threads, and Lanesborough was highly recommended in one.
Should I give Lanesborough another try? Should we go back to Savoy?
Or try something different? Like Orangery? Or Wolseley? The tea there seems cheap and this restaurant comes up a lot.
Another complication -- I don't think that we can have tea until 5 pm. Is this too late? I know that Ritz has a last seating at 5:30. I don't know if I want to go there though, as curious as I am.
Thanks!
While I'm not dying to have tea in London again, I think that my mom would really enjoy it. We had tea at Savoy and we both liked it. She still talks about it.
I've also had tea at Brown's and Lanesborough. Didn't find either particularly memorable.
I read some of the old threads, and Lanesborough was highly recommended in one.
Should I give Lanesborough another try? Should we go back to Savoy?
Or try something different? Like Orangery? Or Wolseley? The tea there seems cheap and this restaurant comes up a lot.
Another complication -- I don't think that we can have tea until 5 pm. Is this too late? I know that Ritz has a last seating at 5:30. I don't know if I want to go there though, as curious as I am.
Thanks!
Apr 21st, 2005, 10:05 AM
#26
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ok..so..this "afternoon tea"..Is it primarily attended by women? Couples? I just am not familiar with the ritual that it must be. And, am I reading it correctly...25 pounds PER person? That's $50. For tea?? And what else? Lobster? Thanks.
Apr 21st, 2005, 10:16 AM
#27
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Usually this comes with tea and trays of food.
And there's usually live music. (A pianist, for example -- I still remember that the pianist at the Brown's tea played Mozart's K. 488 concerto (piano part), but only the first two movements (and not well at that).)
Basically I find the whole thing a ripoff, but I don't mind going through the charade to make my mom happy. But admittedly there's something charming about the whole deal (that I'll concede).
And there's usually live music. (A pianist, for example -- I still remember that the pianist at the Brown's tea played Mozart's K. 488 concerto (piano part), but only the first two movements (and not well at that).)
Basically I find the whole thing a ripoff, but I don't mind going through the charade to make my mom happy. But admittedly there's something charming about the whole deal (that I'll concede).
Apr 21st, 2005, 10:19 AM
#28
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While doing a web search, saw this link:
http://eatdrink.timeout.com/articles...ternoontea.php
Nothing earth-shattering, but interesting reading anyway.
"Old-fashioned hotel teas can seem a tourist rip-off – £25 per head, or more, just to have tea and sandwiches? But the upside is that a leisurely tea can be a great way to spend some quality time with your mum – or indeed anyone else – in a setting where you can relax and hear each other speak."
http://eatdrink.timeout.com/articles...ternoontea.php
Nothing earth-shattering, but interesting reading anyway.
"Old-fashioned hotel teas can seem a tourist rip-off – £25 per head, or more, just to have tea and sandwiches? But the upside is that a leisurely tea can be a great way to spend some quality time with your mum – or indeed anyone else – in a setting where you can relax and hear each other speak."
Apr 21st, 2005, 02:27 PM
#31
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The Connaught used to be charming, but ever since they let Angela Hartnett in, they've destroyed that unique atmostphere...not that I ever found it that appealing, it was really rather staid, but it's even worse now.
Apr 21st, 2005, 03:21 PM
#32
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Her restaurant actually placed in the recent top 50 list (in the 20s -- 27 or so?).
She's a Ramsay protege, that much I know.
I don't know if I want something too old school either. I'd probably feel completely out of place. How does Connaught compare to the Savoy?
(I can just hear m_kingdom screaming now -- what a stupid question, etc.)
She's a Ramsay protege, that much I know.
I don't know if I want something too old school either. I'd probably feel completely out of place. How does Connaught compare to the Savoy?
(I can just hear m_kingdom screaming now -- what a stupid question, etc.)
Apr 21st, 2005, 04:09 PM
#33
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I don't want Angela's bagels for tea - I want old fashioned tea sandwiches -the kind that are quartered, with the crust cut off. Was very disappointed that my favorite tea had changed so. It is expensive but then who has room for dinner?
Apr 22nd, 2005, 03:43 AM
#34
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For what it's worth, Lanesborough wrote me a very nice note back:
"I would first of all like to thank you for your enquiry and indeed for your
interest in The Conservatory as a possible venue for an Afternoon Tea on
21st May."
etc. I guess it's a form e-mail, but still.
"I would first of all like to thank you for your enquiry and indeed for your
interest in The Conservatory as a possible venue for an Afternoon Tea on
21st May."
etc. I guess it's a form e-mail, but still.
Jun 13th, 2009, 08:03 AM
#36
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Gotta tell ya take patisserie valerie off your list guys. I dont think that they deserve a place in your hearts as they buy most of the stuff in these days. Very little is made. just assembled. seen the eclairs ? frozen scones, tarts, all sorts.used to be very good then got sold to an investment company I am told that things are made up north now, frozen then sent to London. shame.Best go to tesco
Jun 14th, 2009, 05:14 AM
#38
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High tea at the Ritz is probably the ultimate English tea experince. Not cheap but u do get finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, jam and clotted cream and a range of delicate pastries.
Tables may need to be reserved at least 12 weeks in advance.
Tables may need to be reserved at least 12 weeks in advance.
Jun 14th, 2009, 05:26 AM
#39
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Well, while this is up again, I would add that we recently had scones, jam, and clotted cream at the Orangery at Kensington Palace and we were not impressed. The service was really bad (was it because we were not having the whole tea or what? we were dressed decently.) and the scones were not to die for (the way I remember them from Betty's in York some years ago). Maybe my memory is faulty, but I was really disappointed as I have been looking forward to having these again for a long time. The setting is very nice, however.
