Wow.
That is the only way to describe my latest afternoon tea experience at The Sanderson Hotel, London. Their 'Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea' is certainly one to remember!
The boutique hotel provides the perfect setting for a quirky and memorable afternoon tea, and they have certainly taken full advantage of this in order to create an original and delicious dining experience. Upon entering the hotel itself expect to be greeted with fresh, contemporary decor and a welcoming smile, before being escorted to your table in the courtyard. Technically you are sat outside, but when it is slightly cooler they roll down the sides of the marquee-like roof that covers you so that you still have the feel of the outdoors without the chill. The space itself is bright and airy with a water-feature in the centre and quirky decorative pieces scattered around. We went there on a Monday afternoon and yet the place was packed out. Although it's no wonder really...
Once we had gotten comfortable and fully appreciated our surroundings we began to notice the little touches that had been thoughtfully prepared on our table. A hardback copy of Wuthering Heights was sat underneath a jewellery box on top of which 'a spoonful of...' was inscribed. Upon opening we found that it was filled with sugar lumps and was actually one of those musical boxes with a little turning ballerina inside which was just adorable. Our curiosity heightened, we opened up the copy of Wuthering Heights to eventually find the afternoon tea menu glued into one of the pages. I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly already felt as curious as Alice, ready and willing to jump head first down the rabbit hole and discover more delights!
Waiting eagerly for the next instalment, the waitress arrived just at the right time with some glass bottles filled with their signature teas. We inhaled the gorgeous scents of tea leaves with original flavours such as mint choc-chip and strawberries and cream before being presented with a tea stand full of deliciousness. We chose the strawberries and cream tea infusion which was unbelievably tasty, and the lovely waitress explained to us each layer of the tea stand and in which order we should indulge in them.
We started with the sandwiches which were cleverly rolled up and filled with mouth watering fillings. We had smoked Cumbrian ham with wholegrain mustard on sun dried tomato bread, cucumber and chive cream cheese on spinach bread, egg mayonnaise with lemon and a smoked salmon delight. I then stayed with the savoury items, making my next stop the savoury scone with herb butter. It made a nice change to have a couple of savoury items on the menu, and the quiche of the day was absolutely delicious!
Next I travelled right up to the top layer which housed some delightful little carrot meringues on a bed of pea shoots, all contained in a dainty tea cup. At this point I must also mention how gorgeous the tea set was, all being designed by Luna and Curious especially for The Sanderson Hotel. You can even purchase the sets and attempt to recreate the experience at home! To round off the top of the stand there were also some little marshmallow mushrooms which were a fun extra before tucking into the main events on the middle of the stand.
First I tucked into the chocolate teacup filled with green tea mousse. The fun of the teacup being made of chocolate was evident as all around us we could see other guests posing with it for the camera and delightfully chomping their way to the delicious centre. The 'tick tock' Victoria sponge was also completely yummy, very refreshing and importantly not too filling as there is still the melting mango cheesecake and scones to enjoy! The scones as it happens, were similarly great and the jam and cream were some of the best I've ever tasted.
The melting mango cheesecake was however, one of my personal highlights. Coated in rainbow patterned white chocolate, it hides an inventive and tasty secret at its core. As I delved further into the centre I came across a passion fruit 'yolk' which burst and covered the remaining cheesecake with a zesty coulis.
Full and definitely satisfied I sat back and began to notice once again the little details that make this afternoon tea experience so spectacular. The napkins are held together with a riddle, a different one on each table, and there is even a 'drink me' potion hiding on the bottom layer of the tea stand with a handwritten 'drink me' label. Sipping a gorgeous passion fruit and tropical mix of something or other from the tiny bottle really rounded off the Mat Hatter experience and made everyone smile!
The cocktails that are listed on the tea menu also compliment the theme completely, and I enjoyed a creative and yummy Scarlet Martini made with Wyborowa vodka, strawberries, cucumber, honey and water, and finished with pomegranate juice. This was just one of many touches that made this afternoon tea experience one of the very best I've ever had, and one which will definitely be difficult to top! Although I'm sure I'll have plenty of fun trying!!
No comments:
Post a Comment