Afternoon repast is a staple of great hotels worldwide
Legend has it that Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, invented ‘afternoon tea’ in 1840 when she would ask for a tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake to be brought to her room at around 4pm. Today, afternoon tea remains as popular as ever, particularly in some of the world’s top hotels.
Claridge’s, London
Claridge’s opened its doors in 1856, not long after the notion of afternoon tea had first come to fruition, meaning their team has been serving tea for well over 100 years. In keeping with tradition, Claridge’s prepares a selection of sweet and savoury options daily. The menu is based on British heritage and seasonal specialities and heroes local producers and ingredients. Expect to find finger sandwiches comprising smoked salmon and dill crème fraîche, with salmon from famed Severn & Wye smokery, roast chicken with honey and mustard using free-roaming Cotswold chickens, or egg mayo made with iconic Burford browns.
Mount Nelson, Cape Town
Cape Town’s blush-hued hotel has become known worldwide for its iconic tea offering. The Nellie first started serving afternoon tea in 1989 and is now one of the top experiences in the Mother City. Walking the line between upscale and warmly inviting, the experience hosted in the Lounge and on the sun-basked terrace is simply world-class. Their extensive menu of over 60 teas is curated by South Africa’s first expert-trained tea sommelier, Craig Cupido. You will find everything from the classic black, herbal, and rooibos variations to rare white teas.
The Savoy, London
Served in the Thames Foyer since it opened in 1889, afternoon tea is a staple at The Savoy. With a list of over 30 teas, The Savoy’s food offering includes familiar favourites reimagined with a contemporary twist. This includes a traditional coronation chicken, served with raisins and mango chutney. The pastries and signature Savoy cakes are freshly made every day and include delicacies such as a strawberry and cream ‘taco,’ made from a Tahitian vanilla sponge, strawberry and rose compote, and a black tea panna cotta.
Anya Café, Chelsea, London
Humour and Anya Hindmarch go hand-in-hand. At the heart of her ‘Anya Village,’ a collection of concept stores, is Anya Café. Drawing inspiration from the charm of old-world British cafes, this one-of-a-kind café serves up a reimagined take on afternoon tea. This includes freshly baked scones, served warm with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, smiley-faced lemon cake, lemon curd meringue chubby cloud cake, and caterpillar tarts. While on the savouries, you can look forward to simple finger sandwiches with smoked salmon with lemon, dill and cream cheese, cucumber, and egg and cress.
Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
The story of Hôtel de Crillon starts in 1758 when King Louis XV commissioned architect du jour Ange-Jacques Gabriel to build twin structures overlooking Place de la Concorde. Originally owned by the family of the Counts of Crillon, the mansion was eventually transformed into a luxury hotel in 1909. Today, their afternoon tea pays homage to the hotel’s illustrious history. Served in the Jardin d’Hiver tea lounge, Hôtel de Crillon’s menu is concise but curated, with a drinks offering that includes a selection of Grand Crus teas, provided by Maison Terre de Chine.
Text | Supplied
Photography | magdanatka
For more information, go to belmond.com.
