Enjoy a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Whittard of Chelsea in Covent Garden. A wonderful treat for mums and tea lovers alike writes guest writer Andrew Boyce.
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.
That was the maxim hanging on the wall as we entered Whittard Covent Garden Tea Room and it could not have been truer.
Nestled in the famous piazza, the tea room hides a world of delight. Shelf-upon-shelf of teas from around the world in all manner of blends. And coffee too for those who, unlike me, aren’t so fond of a brew.
Then there was the tea itself. My goodness the tea. Where does one begin to choose? Thankfully the menu comes with recommendations and our wonderful host, Marta, was only too willing to offer up suggestions.
I opted for the traditional English Breakfast because, well, I’m traditional. My partner the Earl Grey. (She’s traditional too.) They looked and tasted every bit the fine teas you’d expect of Whittard. The brew so golden it felt equally sacrilegious to even contemplate adding milk.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Whittard. Then it was the main event.
The headliner. The tiered plates of wholesome goodness. If afternoon tea is a ceremony, there cannot have been a better addition to the event than a glass of fresh prosecco mixed with a delicate strawberry and mint syrup. At first, I thought “no, you can’t have pink prosecco, that’s sacrilege”. Then I tasted it and was reminded of all the pomp of a heady British summer and the delight that is strawberries and fizz.
The Grocer’s Tea.
Eight beautifully presented finger sandwiches filled with egg, coronation chicken, salmon, and cucumber between slices of finely coiffured bread provided the foundation. These are proper sausage rolls – the kind you get in a quality English pub. Packed with meat and a side of delicate wholegrain mustard, provided the next act. So too a beautiful spinach and feta tart with pastry as crumbly as feta itself.
Finally, the crowning glory that is four delicately crafted cakes. I got so wrapped up in the sensual wonderment of all that was before me that I genuinely forget what they were. But they were good. Like all of our food, the flavours were delicate, the presentation equally so. One had the most amazing mousse and it was at that point that I momentarily zoned out. Apologies.
People travel from around the world to enjoy such pleasures as afternoon tea and it’s easy to see why. The visual wonderment, the delicate flavours and ingredients; they all add up to that most quintessentially British of ceremonies. This is most definitely an event to be enjoyed with your nearest and dearest. Your friends and family you want to be whisked away and momentarily, into another world with. The Alice in Wonderland levels of enchantment depicted so beautifully in Whittard’s crockery.
With Mother’s Day just days away, what better opportunity to do that? Just book early. It gets busy and it’s not hard to see, smell and taste why. Book your place here.
Take a look at gifts available at Whittard for Mother’s Day here.
I wish there was time for another.
Disclaimer I was gifted the afternoon tea in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.