Last Updated on September 16, 2024
An Unlimited Indulgence
Bottomless brunches and afternoon teas are the rage lately, but Conrad London St. James has taken it to the next level with their fabulous InfiniTEA. Picture this: endless sandwiches, freshly baked scones, a delightful array of sweet treats and a selection of teas. But the real star of the show? The limitless flow of Bollinger Champagne is a luxurious touch to this already indulgent experience.
Conrad St. James sits adjacent to the St. James’s Park underground station, housed in a 19th-century building once known as the historic Queen Anne’s Chambers. It’s ideally located within a mile of some of London’s great sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace.
I went along on a weekend afternoon, and what a treat it was. This 90-minute journey, hosted in the elegant glass-roofed Orchard Tea Room of this 5-star hotel, is located on the hotel’s ground floor. The Orchard Tea Room features a skylight roof, with onyx black shiny pillars and pretty floral decorations. It is complemented by a powder pink carpet, and dusky pink and blue upholstered bucket chairs with white linen tablecloths completing the look.
Afternoon tea has to be one of life’s real luxuries, and here at the Conrad St James, it’s delivered with genuine expertise. Head Pastry Chef Diana Sedlakova, who brings fifteen years of pastry mastery to the table, has carefully crafted the menu. Inspired by British classics, she has reinvented them with an elevated twist. Diana’s innovative approach involves sourcing the best seasonal produce from local suppliers, and expertly pairing flavours to perfectly complement the Champagne Bollinger experience.
We began with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV, an opulent champagne with a rich, full-bodied character, aromas of ripe fruits and spicy notes, fine acidity, and a soft, creamy texture.
Next, a tiered tea tray arrived, stacked with delicate sandwiches and dainty cakes. The sandwiches were truly delicious, freshly cut and filled with an array of delightful flavours. There was a refreshing combination of British apple, cucumber, mint, and parsley cream cheese, perfectly balancing crispness and creaminess. Another featured a rich mix of egg, glorious truffle, and celery mayonnaise – a luxurious twist on a classic favourite. I loved the English Tunworth and fig jam, which provided a harmonious blend of tasty cheese and sweet fruit. The Lake District roast beef with sweet onions and horseradish delivered a robust and savoury taste, while the Sutton Hoo chicken, sage, and yoghurt mustard sandwich added a unique and aromatic touch.
We drank pots of refreshing tea. The ‘Afternoon Blend’ was a regal mix of Darjeeling, Taiwanese Oolong, and a hint of Silver Leaf Green, resulting in an elegant, light, and silky cup of tea.
Next, we indulged in the beautifully prepared cakes: a moist and fluffy Devonshire Bramley apple cake, an unusual but fabulous devil’s dark chocolate sponge with beetroot and cherry mousse, a delicate sweet dandelion honey and coconut delice, and my favourite, a tangy rhubarb and creamy custard tart.
Of course, the Bollinger flowed, but no quintessentially English afternoon tea would be complete without scones. They arrived wrapped in linen napkins – a selection of four different kinds of freshly baked scones – Jersey butter, raisins, candied peel, dark chocolate stracciatella, and blueberry and lemon. Light and springy, and served with dinky pots of Cornish clotted cream, chocolate and hazelnut spread, strawberry jam, and lemon curd, truly scrumptious!
Conrad London St. James’s afternoon tea is a charming way to while away the afternoon – it is one of the best teas I’ve had in London. Champagne and meticulously prepared tea, made with high-quality ingredients, are served by charming staff. And to top it all off, you can indulge in as much delicious food and drink as your heart desires…the perfect treat to share with friends or family.
Guests can enjoy a 90-minute journey of indulgence to eat and drink as much as they wish. The afternoon tea is priced at £60 per person, or with free-flowing Champagne Bollinger for £95 per person.
InfiniTEA is available Monday to Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm, with the final sitting at 4 pm. Book here
Conrad London St. James 22-28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH
Tel: +44 (0)20 3301 8080
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