If there’s one thing that I love it’s a leisurely, traditional and quintessential Afternoon Tea experience, where you are treated to an array of savoury delights, warm homemade scones and of course divine cakes and pastries and that’s exactly why we paid a visit to Botanica the elegant tea room situated within 100 Queen’s Gate in Kensington, London.
100 Queen’s Gate was the former home of Victorian aristocrat William Henry Alexander, and has been stunningly transformed into a hotel that embraces the building’s heritage, retaining much of its original 1870s architecture.
Tea is served in Botanica, the hotel’s beautiful Victorian glass and mirrored atrium, where you can indulge in an intimate Afternoon Tea amongst the décor of cherry blossoms and lavish greeneries.
We started our afternoon in the best possible way, with a chilled glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut. I always believe in having my afternoon tea experience with a glass of bubbles, it’s just that extra delightful indulgence.
Time for the savoury delights, all made with the finest local ingredients and include Oak smoked salmon with creamy horseradish finger sandwiches, Organic turkey breast & cranberry finger sandwiches, Burford Brown egg mayonnaise brioche and Baby cucumber, cream cheese and mint brioche, all served fresh and full of flavours to entice the tastebuds.
Scones are a paramount feature of any Afternoon Tea, and these certainly didn’t disappoint, freshly baked and still warm, a little taste of perfection.
The sweet selection was just as impressive with an array of thoughtfully designed treats that included Chocolate cherry delice, Mango & passion fruit dacquoise, Berry tartlet and a Cannolo. All were a delight on the tastebuds, but if I had to choose, my favourite was the mango & passion fruit dacquoise, the biscuit crumble literally melted in the mouth.
Not only is the Botanica Afternoon Tea a real feast for your eyes as well as your tastebuds, it’s also served in the most exquisite setting, it really is one of London’s hidden gems.
BOOK IT
The Botanica Afternoon Tea is priced at £46 per person.
The Botanica Afternoon Tea with Champagne is priced at £60 per person
To book, visit here.
