A Tribute to Nature Afternoon Tea, inspired by Kew Gardens. This is the new pop-up at The Carlton Tower Hotel in Belgravia designed by renowned pastry chef Jessica Prealpato. She was voted the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2019 and Chef of the Year by Gault et Millau in 2020.
At the heart of this new Afternoon Tea is her re-design of what we would expect, offering us a uniquely new angle. Taking inspiration from the botanics and florals from Kew Gardens, this is her first project in London.
The Tribute to Nature Afternoon Tea is served in The Chinoiserie, a cosy and inviting space set off to the right as you walk in. The whole experience caught us both by surprise from beginning to end, starting with the presentation.
The china is very delicate in a beautiful duck egg blue inspired by the de Gournay wallpaper which is decorated with little birds and plants. Simply exquisite.
A Tribute To Nature | The Afternoon Tea
It is an elevated and unique afternoon tea. Forget the finger sandwiches, we began with her Winter Garden.
Presented in a small wooden bowl, it was a winter salad of seasonal beetroot with a whipped goat’s cheese mousse. Heaven.
No finger sandwiches and instead a set of three sandwiches with a difference; the egg truffled croissant in the middle was my highlight, but all three were delicious.
This was followed by a sharp grapefruit sorbet palate cleanser with a touch of olive oil, again like nothing I’ve ever had before, yet perfect ahead of our next course.
The scones… yes four tiny bite sized scones with a filling chosen to match, taking you on the journey of colour, texture, taste and smell.
The conclusion was an experience of patisseries. Brought to you in a cage, held high by a bird in foliage, and into the cage you go. Find a pain perdu, pear and kumquat tart, citrus fruit eclair and a finger chocolate hazelnut & star anis.
We both felt this tea was a wonderfully unique experience and yes, it is worth every penny!
Tribute to Nature : Afternoon Tea
Where : Chinoiserie Afternoon Tea at Carlton Tower Hotel, Belgravia
Costs : Afternoon tea starts at £75pp.
LLW was a guest of the hotel.
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