I have kickstarted the holiday season festivities and tried out a magical Christmas Afternoon tea at The Royal Lancaster Hotel. This is a perfect treat to get yourself into the Christmas spirit. It’s never too early am I right? I always find afternoon tea to be so special, so why not take friends and family here?
Where is The Royal Lancaster?
As you might have noticed in the name it is in fact in Lancaster Gate, around the corner from the station less than two minutes away you’ll find the entrance. Entering the marble foyer at the Royal Lancaster I spot my destination, The Hyde Cafe. Brass stands and honeycomb-shaped chandeliers meet soft marble. They make their own honey on the roof so this is why this shape is so significant for them and can be spotted throughout the hotel even down to the small pins worn on their lapels.
What’s on the menu at The Royal Lancaster?
They have a lovely and extensive menu with choices to cater for all tastes and needs. I for instance am not a big fan of smoked salmon which is often a staple when having afternoon teas, so my menu was without any fish. But first, champagne in the shape of Laurent-Perrier Brut, cheers!
Savoury Elements
After a sip of my champagne, it’s the savoury part of the menu, this is in the shape of a selection of traditional sandwiches. As I didn’t want salmon in mine I had a selection of:
– Pickled Radish and herb cream cheese on brown bread
– Cucumber, tomato and olive tapenade on white bread
– Roasted Aubergine with vegan spread on white bread
– Mixed grilled vegetables with Chimichurri dressing on granary bread
– Avocado and cilantro chutney on white bread
By this time our tea had also arrived along with the Scones. The scones came warm and served with clotted cream and a selection of preserves.
My choice of tea was Spiced winter tea with slightly smokey China-Ceylon tea infused with cinnamon, ginger, orange peel and vanilla, perfectly Christmassy. Something that hit my heartstrings is that the teas are from Camellia’s Tea house, my very first of many favourite spots in London after moving here. So I knew it would be top-tier tea alongside the sweet part of this afternoon tea.
Sweet Elements
The presentation of these sweet treats was truly a showstopper. If this didn’t get you in a festive mood I’m not sure what will. Due to me not wanting any smoked salmon my sweets were all vegan and before diving in we were told there was an order of which to eat these sweet bites to allow the perfect journey of flavour, and the order was as below:
Starting with the Festive candle, made of Rich Chocolate and prune cake with candied fruit. The next step was my second favourite, the frosty Snowman, perfectly chewy vegan macaroon, yuzu ganache and cranberry compote.
After having eaten the cutest snowman ever made I moved on to the Christmas star which was made of Ginger shortbread, white chocolate cremeux with a mango centre. And last but not least, the Bauble, it’s important to have this Tiffany blue bauble in the end because this flavour is amazing. Made with coconut mousse, blackcurrant gel and crunchy coconut chocolate. My favourite and a perfect crescendo to this afternoon tea.
I think this is a perfect afternoon tea to kick-start the holiday festivities. The Royal Lancaster is close to the station and only a hop and a skip away from Hyde Park. A perfect outing for you and your family or friends. To celebrate something, lift someone’s spirit or just for the love of afternoon tea.
Royal Lancaster London
Lancaster Terrace
London
W2 2TY
United Kingdom
