Suggestions for High Tea in London
Apr 11th, 2003, 05:52 AM
#21
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I vote for Brown's Hotel. I just think it's much cosier than other places. <BR><BR>LoisL, you can find info on it by going to www.brownshotel.com On the menu bar at the left, under Wining and Dining, click on the Drawing Room and it will give you information, menu and reservation information.
Apr 11th, 2003, 06:55 AM
#22
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LoisL,<BR><BR>When we had cream tea at Browns I wore a black knit skirt and jacket. My husband just wore a nice knit sport shirt and slacks. I think we were ok. My "London" friend wore a dark wool blazer and slacks. If you go to Browns I think dressy casual would be ok.
Apr 11th, 2003, 10:52 AM
#26
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LoisL-<BR>To answer many of your questions, I would suggest you visit www.gofortea.com. It has a huge list of different hotels, etc. that serve afternoon tea. You can view the menus and the prices for each place, suggestions for proper attire, maps, whether or not you should book in advance, etc. Some places will also let you make a reservation for tea via e-mail, so you could do that before you leave on vacation. I love the site- its one of my favorites.
Apr 11th, 2003, 11:23 AM
#27
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For a very different kind of high tea (not afternoon tea) I like "The Muffin Man" off Kensington High Street. It smells like cinnamon inside, and is run by Russians, yet feels just like English village tea shop... complete with toasted crumpets, and toasted tea cakes, and lovely sandwiches, and gooey cakes. It's authentic and cozy, and not at all swanky, but deliciously English.
Apr 11th, 2003, 11:26 AM
#28
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Bagel affairs (sounds kinky) at the Connaught?? Zagat's rates the restaurant at the Connaught among the best in London. I can't believe they would give you an old ham bagel for tea. A place that has a wine list that includes vintages that cost more than a new car does not serve stale pieces of toast, sweetie.
Apr 11th, 2003, 11:58 AM
#29
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In January my husband and I visited friends of ours who are living in London. They took us to tea at The Landmark Hotel. It was really wonderful. Tea is served in an atrium that is really beautiful. They have comfortable couches, light music playing, and the food was amazing. I normally just go in for the scones and clotted cream (love that clotted cream), but they had prosciutto sandwiches and smoked salmon sandwiches that I thought were fantastic. All in all, a great experience.
Apr 11th, 2003, 12:01 PM
#30
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I forgot to post these! Here are some links to the Landmark:<BR><BR>Afternoon tea menu (we did The Landmark Tea):<BR><BR>http://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/dining/wintermenu.html<BR><BR>A description of the atrium (called the Winter Garden):<BR><BR>http://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/dining/winter.shtml
Apr 11th, 2003, 12:41 PM
#31
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Thanks to all for the suggestions and tips. I've copied down the web sites, and I will research them. I've always enjoyed dressing and doing up a special experience, but in this case, it will be more inconvenient. I've also just found out that my daughter may be working in London that day, and if so, it may be more convenient to plan it for near her job. She said the Savoy or Dorchester are right there. Guess I'll have some fun exploring the possibilities. Thanks again for all the help!
Apr 11th, 2003, 01:55 PM
#33
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LoisL, if you are going out to Kew Gardens, have tea at the Maids of Honour teashop across the street from the gardens. It is supposed to have been there from the time of Henry VIII and is quite charming, blue flow dishes and old corner cupboards. You wouldn't need to dress up for it.
Apr 13th, 2003, 01:29 PM
#34
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I printed a list off gofortea and then just picked one that was near where I was. I chose Duke's hotel because I didn't need a reservation and it was near my sightseeing. I thought it was delicious. Tons of food for only 14 pounds. They seated me in the lounge which was deserted and brought me my tray. I've never had a crumpet before. Wonderful and dripping with butter. I got lots of attention from the waiter because I was alone and dripping wet from the rain. I think he felt sorry for me.<BR><BR>When I came out from tea, the sun was out and they were changing the guard at St. James Palace just down the street. Perfect.<BR><BR>beany
Apr 13th, 2003, 01:41 PM
#35
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Lois, I would recommend Claridges (www.savoy-group.com)<BR>in Mayfair for the stunning Art Deco setting (also fantastic major Art Deco exhibit at Victoria and Albert Museum right now which would be an interesting thing to see before your tea!). You will dine underneath the most stunning Dale Chihuly chandelier. Interestingly, the V&A Museum also features a Dale Chihuly chandelier in their foyer.<BR><BR>Another good one is the Milestone Hotel right across the street from Kensington Palace (not far from Harrods). Although KP is shrouded in scaffolding right now, there is a FAB exhibit of wedding dresses (Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, Queen Mum, etc) plus a permanent display of some of Princess Diana's gowns (interesting to see how tall she was). The Milestone is part of the Red Carnation Hotel group.<BR><BR>But I agree - any 4 or 5 star hotel will lay on a decent tea. They aren't cheap but they are definitely worth it. Eat a very light breakfast beforehand!
Apr 13th, 2003, 04:25 PM
#36
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Last time we went to the Connaught Hotel for High Tea, we had kids with us and were dressed in shorts and jeans. I was worried, but they couldn't have been nicer and made us feel right at home!<BR><BR>Cheers!
Apr 13th, 2003, 05:11 PM
#37
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globalgourmet wrote,<BR>>Last time we went to the Connaught Hotel for High Tea, we had kids with us and were dressed in shorts and jeans. <<BR><BR> Another example of the general lessening of standards.
Apr 13th, 2003, 05:14 PM
#38
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Hi Beany,<BR> How wonderful.<BR><BR> If you would like to make your own crumpets,... they are just thick pancakes. Get one of those thingies used to make egg MacMuffins. Pour in pancake batter. Cook. Put in fridge overnight. Slice in half. Toast. Apply butter.
Apr 15th, 2003, 05:39 PM
#39
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Thanks for the suggestion Ira!<BR><BR>Are they really just pancakes? How do they get so holey and then so crispy? Is it just in the toasting? Honestly, a whole big wonderful vacation and I think I've talked more about that crumpet than anything else.<BR><BR>beany
Apr 15th, 2003, 06:05 PM
#40
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I've been to Brown's, Claridge's and the Orangery, as well as several little tea shops whose name escapes me! Brown's is my dad's favorite -- it's very Old English with leather and hunting prints. It's probably the most "English." Claridge's is a beautiful art deco hotel, and tea there is served by liveried footmen. It's lovely with harp music and comfortable sofas, and is probably closest to the Plaza in NYC. The Orangery is more of a plain space (pretty, but not over the top) and you sit at tables, but they had the best food (no sickly cream pastries -- I had a slice of excellent ginger cake) and tea was half the price of the hotels. (In 1998 about L16 at the hotels, L7.50 at the Orangery)
