Last Updated on June 6, 2024
An Indulgent Parisian Afternoon at The Dilly Hotel in Piccadilly
The Dilly, the luxury five-star hotel in Piccadilly Central London has created an indulgent afternoon tea, inspired by the Paris Olympics 2024. The tea is taken in the Terrace Restaurant, a light and airy space with stunning glass arches and a view over the busy streets below. This is an oasis of calm amid the bustle and noise of the city centre.
There’s nothing quite like a good afternoon tea, a chance to relax and enjoy lovely savoury bites, scones, and delicious pastries, It is always a treat for me, and my daughter was more than happy to come along with me.
On arrival, we ordered a glass of Chapel Down Classic Brut NV while looking through the tea selection. There is the option to buy Pommery Brut or Pommery Rose Brut champagne, the cost of a glass, or bottle of fizz is additional to the Afternoon Tea. The loose tea at The Dilly is provided by The Tea Makers of London. I chose the Earl Grey with Calabrian bergamot, and Amelia, my daughter decided to try the jasmine green tea.
Tea is served in lovely bone china teacups with a central London Street design made by the House of Cally while the freshly made tea comes in bright red teapots.
The afternoon tea is presented on a beautiful stand. Exquisite pastries on the top layer, on the next level the savoury elements while the bottom layer of the stand contains scones with little pots of strawberry jam and clotted cream.
All the savoury elements have a French twist in keeping with the theme of the tea.
A soft and creamy tartine of smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers, it was light and very tasty. A warm jambon-beurre; ham and cheese with orange marmalade and butter on a small French baguette. A sandwich Lyonnaise, soft focaccia filled with egg mayonnaise, and mustard cress. Lastly a crêpe of roasted vegetables with pesto and soft cheese.
We moved on to the plain and raisin scones which were still warm. Being a West Country person I appreciate a good scone and these were perfect; a good size, firm on the outside with a soft crumbly interior. We ate them the Cornish way, first the strawberry jam then a generous topping of clotted cream. I would give these scones a top score.
It seemed a shame to bite into the exquisitely fashioned pastries cleverly designed by the patisserie chef.
The Mona Lisa cake is a small piece of soft and moist pistachio and honey cake coated in white chocolate topped with a printed chocolate design of the Mona Lisa. It was delicious and a highlight of the tea.
The medal is a golden macaron with a subtle strawberry and ginger filling topped with a chocolate disc inscribed with Paris 2024.
An Olympian column, intricately made with an exterior of rich indulgent dark chocolate with a sharp cassis cremeux filling that perfectly cut through the chocolate.
Finally, the masterpiece a chocolate model of the Eiffel Tower itself delicately balanced on a base of milk cholate mousse and sable biscuit.
Centrally located in the heart of London the Dilly is an ideal location for a special pre-theatre treat or on a day out in London.
Variations of the afternoon tea are available to cater to dietary requirements, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. For children, there is a special smaller menu selection with chocolate scones replacing the traditional version.
The Parisian afternoon tea is available for a cost of £49 an adult or £39 per child. Glasses of sparkling wine or champagne are available for an additional cost.
The afternoon tea is available from the middle of May until 30th September, from 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm.
For more information and to book your table see Parisian Afternoon Tea at the Dilly
The Dilly, 21 Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BH
Tel: 0207 734 8000
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