Hello,

I'm looking for some recommendations on a nice place for afternoon tea for two in London for the end of November (probably either Friday 29th or Saturday 30th). The Ritz Palm Court is already booked. Any suggestions or experience in the matter?

Thanks,
FlyerBeek

The Waldorf. It's in Aldwych. I find it better tha The Ritz. Beautifully done. Reserve a table, get there on the stroke of opening at 3.00 pm, it takes about 2 hours plus. Go without lunch first(!). Chaps, you really need jacket and tie. Sundays there's a formal dance among the palms and the teapots.

http://www.hotels-london.co.uk/hotel.php?hotel_id=3

BTW "High Tea" really implies cooked food and stuff, maybe as far as a steak (but also a pot of tea!). It's a feature of the North of England and Scotland, where it is effectively Dinner, but served early, rather like in Canada, traditionally for when the blue-collar workers got home. Never really a London concept. It's a bit of a dying expression. What the Waldorf, Ritz etc are serving is "Afternoon Tea".

http://www.savoy-group.co.uk/Savoy/R...nformation.asp

Afternoon Tea has been served at The Savoy, throughout its entire history.

Served in the famous Thames Foyer and accompanied by the sounds of the resident pianist, Afternoon Tea consists of a mouth-watering array of sanwiches with a variety of fresh fillings, delicate pastries and teacakes and scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve. There is also a wide range of distinct blends of tea to choose from, imported by specialist tea suppliers from around the world.
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http://www.brownshotel.com/dining/thedrawingroom.htm

Taking tea at Raffles Brown's Hotel is as much as a British institution as rowing at the Henley Royal Regatta, tennis at Wimbledon, or 'having a flutter' at Royal Ascot.

Hotel guests have been regularly taking tea at Brown's for over 160 years, ever since James Brown - Lord Byron's 'gentleman's gentleman' established the hotel as a 'genteel inn' in 1837.

Agatha Christie was one of the many famous guests, which regularly took tea at the hotel. She loved the hotel so much, that she based 'At Bertram's Hotel' on Brown's. Readers of the novel will agree that the hotel provides a perfect backdrop for a mystery on a grand scale.

Afternoon tea is served in the Drawing Room, with its wood paneling, open fires and graceful antique furnishings, offering all the comforts of an English country house in the heart of the city.

The Drawing Room regularly offers special seasonal teas, which are very popular. Winter Christmas tea, Special Easter Tea, and Agatha Christie Afternoon Tea have been some of the irresistible seasonal teas, which are extremely popular.


The price of Afternoon Tea is �25.00 per person or �35.50 with a glass of champagne. A choice of 11 different varieties of tea are available ranging from Brown's Afternoon Blend to various flower infusions, together with a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, bridge rolls, warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, cakes and pastries.

Accompanied by the sounds of the resident pianist, afternoon tea is served seven days a week from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. Reservations are taken Monday to Friday at 2.00p.m. 3.45p.m. or 5.30p.m. Reservations are highly recommended during the week, and at weekends we operate on a first come first serve basis. In order to secure a table guests are advised to arrive by 2.00p.m. promptly.

In order to retain an element of past traditions and to keep the occasion special, visitors are requested to dress in a smart casual manner.

For reservations please telephone The Drawing Room on +44 (0)20 7518 4108 or via email [email protected] or click here for on-line tea reservations.

We look forward to welcoming you to enjoy an English tradition at it's finest.
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http://www.fshr.com/london/dining/lounge_41.html

The Lounge is an ideal spot for shoppers or business people to meet for morning coffee, light meals or refreshments throughout the day. It was awarded "London's 1999 Top Tea Place of the Year" by the British Tea Council. Traditional and seasonal menus are offered, in addition to some 60 different blends of tea. The elegant surroundings are further enhanced at tea time by the music of a pianist. During the holiday season, special festive menus will be offered.

JUBILEE AFTERNOON TEA
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In Honour of Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee

Anniversary Tea

Scottish Smoked Salmon on Gravy Bread

Egg and Cress on Tomato Bread

Cucumber and Cream Cheese with Mint Bread

Chicken and Mango Chutney on Saffron Bread

Raisin Scones, Homemade Strawberry Jam

Lime and Meringue Tart

Chocolate and Coffee Cake

Pineapple and Passion Fruit Mousse

Guava Sorbet in a Chocolate Cup

Strawberry and Champagne Cappuccino

I am a great fan of afternoon tea at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane. You sit on wonderful squishy sofas, are given as much of each course as you want before you go onto the next, and are allowed to occupy your sofa or seat for as long as you like. I used to live in London, and have sampled all the traditional places for tea. The Dorchester imo exceeds all the rest.

Address: Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1A 2HJ, Tel: +44-20-7629 8888, Fax: +44-20-7317 6464, E-Mail: [email protected], Website: www.dorchesterhotel.com

The Dorchester won the top tea award in London in September. You can find reviews of several places for tea here and here.


[This message has been edited by SanDiego1K (edited 11-09-2002).]

Brown's Hotel (mentioned above).

Ritz
Brown's
Savoy
Dorchester
Claridges

Any of the above will give you decent food and a traditional experience

Too bad you can't schedule tea on Sunday for some proper "Stompin' at the Savoy".