My tea at The Dorchester
Discussion
Yesterday me and the gf went to take tea at The Dorchester.
I must say that after eating a few highly- regarded (and some starred) restaurants I wondered how tea could be made to feel special. They managed to pull it off, quite convincingly.
Firstly we were early, so the lady who booked us in offered us a seat in the lounge or a drink in the bar, we decided to go to the bar. When we arrived there was someone waiting to seat us (we chose to sit at the bar itself) and at this point a waitress appeared to ensure the bill was added to our tea and to let the barman know how long we had until our booking. I asked to be talked through the gins on offer as I wanted something new. He chatted about what I like and made a recommendation and suggested that I should compliment it with some ginger bitters. The mrs had the same treatment with her cocktail and both were served with fresh olives and crackers on the side. Needless to say that both tasted great, but he had offered to change my gin if I didn't find it to my taste.
We were shown to our seats, beautifully comfortable armchairs surrounded by lovely furnishings and a great piano player who was not too loud and not too quiet.
Tea itself was more of the same. A good talking through of the teas on offer and how to drink them, ditto with the champagne we chose to have too. Upon pouring a glass for Sarah he noticed that it didn't look right and immediately changed it before we had the chance to drink (chances are we wouldn't have noticed that it was a little off-colour!)
The sandwiches were plentiful and beautifully seasoned with seconds and thirds being made available if you wanted them. All ingredients were explained in great detail.
The cakes were also described in detail, and they explained how they use seasonal ingredients that change regularly to compliment what is fresh at the time. They pointed out the heavier cakes recommending that we have those at the end to avoid spoiling the taste of the more delicate ones and all were exquisite. The scones were served both plain and fruit with blackcurrant and strawberry jam packed with fruit and gorgeously thick clotted cream.
At the end of the tea we were served with some cakes to take home, our coats were brought to us and they asked about the rest of our day as if they were really interested in us. We left feeling full, relaxed and pampered.
I've heard that you can get better teas elsewhere, but I was very impressed with The Dorchester and will almost certainly be going back.
I must say that after eating a few highly- regarded (and some starred) restaurants I wondered how tea could be made to feel special. They managed to pull it off, quite convincingly.
Firstly we were early, so the lady who booked us in offered us a seat in the lounge or a drink in the bar, we decided to go to the bar. When we arrived there was someone waiting to seat us (we chose to sit at the bar itself) and at this point a waitress appeared to ensure the bill was added to our tea and to let the barman know how long we had until our booking. I asked to be talked through the gins on offer as I wanted something new. He chatted about what I like and made a recommendation and suggested that I should compliment it with some ginger bitters. The mrs had the same treatment with her cocktail and both were served with fresh olives and crackers on the side. Needless to say that both tasted great, but he had offered to change my gin if I didn't find it to my taste.
We were shown to our seats, beautifully comfortable armchairs surrounded by lovely furnishings and a great piano player who was not too loud and not too quiet.
Tea itself was more of the same. A good talking through of the teas on offer and how to drink them, ditto with the champagne we chose to have too. Upon pouring a glass for Sarah he noticed that it didn't look right and immediately changed it before we had the chance to drink (chances are we wouldn't have noticed that it was a little off-colour!)
The sandwiches were plentiful and beautifully seasoned with seconds and thirds being made available if you wanted them. All ingredients were explained in great detail.
The cakes were also described in detail, and they explained how they use seasonal ingredients that change regularly to compliment what is fresh at the time. They pointed out the heavier cakes recommending that we have those at the end to avoid spoiling the taste of the more delicate ones and all were exquisite. The scones were served both plain and fruit with blackcurrant and strawberry jam packed with fruit and gorgeously thick clotted cream.
At the end of the tea we were served with some cakes to take home, our coats were brought to us and they asked about the rest of our day as if they were really interested in us. We left feeling full, relaxed and pampered.
I've heard that you can get better teas elsewhere, but I was very impressed with The Dorchester and will almost certainly be going back.
We had this at £45.50 per person
http://www.thedorchester.com/afternoon-tea-details...
Bar bill and the additional glasses of champagne we ordered were on top of this.
http://www.thedorchester.com/afternoon-tea-details...
Bar bill and the additional glasses of champagne we ordered were on top of this.
Garlick said:
Yesterday me and the gf went to take tea at The Dorchester.
I must say that after eating a few highly- regarded (and some starred) restaurants I wondered how tea could be made to feel special. They managed to pull it off, quite convincingly.
Firstly we were early, so the lady who booked us in offered us a seat in the lounge or a drink in the bar, we decided to go to the bar. When we arrived there was someone waiting to seat us (we chose to sit at the bar itself) and at this point a waitress appeared to ensure the bill was added to our tea and to let the barman know how long we had until our booking. I asked to be talked through the gins on offer as I wanted something new. He chatted about what I like and made a recommendation and suggested that I should compliment it with some ginger bitters. The mrs had the same treatment with her cocktail and both were served with fresh olives and crackers on the side. Needless to say that both tasted great, but he had offered to change my gin if I didn't find it to my taste.
We were shown to our seats, beautifully comfortable armchairs surrounded by lovely furnishings and a great piano player who was not too loud and not too quiet.
Tea itself was more of the same. A good talking through of the teas on offer and how to drink them, ditto with the champagne we chose to have too. Upon pouring a glass for Sarah he noticed that it didn't look right and immediately changed it before we had the chance to drink (chances are we wouldn't have noticed that it was a little off-colour!)
The sandwiches were plentiful and beautifully seasoned with seconds and thirds being made available if you wanted them. All ingredients were explained in great detail.
The cakes were also described in detail, and they explained how they use seasonal ingredients that change regularly to compliment what is fresh at the time. They pointed out the heavier cakes recommending that we have those at the end to avoid spoiling the taste of the more delicate ones and all were exquisite. The scones were served both plain and fruit with blackcurrant and strawberry jam packed with fruit and gorgeously thick clotted cream.
At the end of the tea we were served with some cakes to take home, our coats were brought to us and they asked about the rest of our day as if they were really interested in us. We left feeling full, relaxed and pampered.
I've heard that you can get better teas elsewhere, but I was very impressed with The Dorchester and will almost certainly be going back.
Man, you've CHANGED.I must say that after eating a few highly- regarded (and some starred) restaurants I wondered how tea could be made to feel special. They managed to pull it off, quite convincingly.
Firstly we were early, so the lady who booked us in offered us a seat in the lounge or a drink in the bar, we decided to go to the bar. When we arrived there was someone waiting to seat us (we chose to sit at the bar itself) and at this point a waitress appeared to ensure the bill was added to our tea and to let the barman know how long we had until our booking. I asked to be talked through the gins on offer as I wanted something new. He chatted about what I like and made a recommendation and suggested that I should compliment it with some ginger bitters. The mrs had the same treatment with her cocktail and both were served with fresh olives and crackers on the side. Needless to say that both tasted great, but he had offered to change my gin if I didn't find it to my taste.
We were shown to our seats, beautifully comfortable armchairs surrounded by lovely furnishings and a great piano player who was not too loud and not too quiet.
Tea itself was more of the same. A good talking through of the teas on offer and how to drink them, ditto with the champagne we chose to have too. Upon pouring a glass for Sarah he noticed that it didn't look right and immediately changed it before we had the chance to drink (chances are we wouldn't have noticed that it was a little off-colour!)
The sandwiches were plentiful and beautifully seasoned with seconds and thirds being made available if you wanted them. All ingredients were explained in great detail.
The cakes were also described in detail, and they explained how they use seasonal ingredients that change regularly to compliment what is fresh at the time. They pointed out the heavier cakes recommending that we have those at the end to avoid spoiling the taste of the more delicate ones and all were exquisite. The scones were served both plain and fruit with blackcurrant and strawberry jam packed with fruit and gorgeously thick clotted cream.
At the end of the tea we were served with some cakes to take home, our coats were brought to us and they asked about the rest of our day as if they were really interested in us. We left feeling full, relaxed and pampered.
I've heard that you can get better teas elsewhere, but I was very impressed with The Dorchester and will almost certainly be going back.
zakelwe said:
You need to pop to the Savoy next Garlick to give us a comparison. Would be interesting to see if they could top it.
Absolutely. I heard them mention it on Masterchef last night and made a mental note to visit. RichB said:
So who did you do that without a line at the foot of your post saying "edited by etc."?
Working here has some perks.....Soovy said:
Man, you've CHANGED.
Who, me? Garlick said:
zakelwe said:
You need to pop to the Savoy next Garlick to give us a comparison. Would be interesting to see if they could top it.
Absolutely. I heard them mention it on Masterchef last night and made a mental note to visit. RichB said:
So who did you do that without a line at the foot of your post saying "edited by etc."?
Working here has some perks.....Soovy said:
Man, you've CHANGED.
Who, me? Tea at the Dorchester indeed.
LOL!
Edited by Soovy on Tuesday 2nd November 12:54
G:
Try the Langham just behind Oxford Street :nom nom nom:
I took some friends to the Ritz Carlton in Dallas recently for a spot of Afternoon tea as a treat, i felt that was better than the Savoy and The Dorchester, but not as good as the Langham.
http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/restaurants/palm...
Check out this tea they serve as a supplement
PRE RAIN JUN SHAN (IMPERIAL MOUNTAIN) Supplement of £34.50
SILVER NEEDLE YELLOW TEA
One of China’s most famous teas and was reportedly a favourite of Chairman Mao. Its production is extremely limited as it is only produced on Jun Shan Island in Dong Ting Lake, Hunan Province. This is the first crop, picked in late March before the Qing Ming Festival, composed almost entirely of perfectly formed, tender buds.
If you fancy *a bit of a drive* you could always try Lucknam Park near Bath
Try the Langham just behind Oxford Street :nom nom nom:
I took some friends to the Ritz Carlton in Dallas recently for a spot of Afternoon tea as a treat, i felt that was better than the Savoy and The Dorchester, but not as good as the Langham.
http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/restaurants/palm...
Check out this tea they serve as a supplement
PRE RAIN JUN SHAN (IMPERIAL MOUNTAIN) Supplement of £34.50
SILVER NEEDLE YELLOW TEA
One of China’s most famous teas and was reportedly a favourite of Chairman Mao. Its production is extremely limited as it is only produced on Jun Shan Island in Dong Ting Lake, Hunan Province. This is the first crop, picked in late March before the Qing Ming Festival, composed almost entirely of perfectly formed, tender buds.
If you fancy *a bit of a drive* you could always try Lucknam Park near Bath
Hmm I thought the Lanesborough won the best afternoon tea award? By the Tea Council (this is worse than boxing!)
Worth a try though, so I hear:
http://www.lanesborough.com/#culinary_experience/a...
Worth a try though, so I hear:
http://www.lanesborough.com/#culinary_experience/a...
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