What makes a great afternoon tea, in your opinion? For us, it has to be in an elegant location, with outstanding food and ideally, a little something extra. The afternoon tea at the St James’s Hotel and Club definitely delivers all of this.
Victorian Champagne Afternoon Tea at St James’s Hotel
Their Champagne afternoon tea takes inspiration from the Victorian era. The hotel itself is set in the heart of St James’s, one of London’s most exclusive areas, and is an oasis of calm just a few minutes from Piccadilly.
Their afternoon tea is presented on a pretty cake stand laden with savoury and sweet treats. Designed by Executive Head Chef, William Drabble, it’s a real delight.
William has a Michelin star and has worked at some of the most famous London restaurants including Aubergine and Pied a Terre. We’ve long been fans of his cuisine and had an amazing lunch at Seven Park Place, his restaurant within the St James’s Hotel and Club.
The game theme is very appropriate as many famous patrons have gathered here since the 1857 opening to play board games such as backgammon. The goodies here come in the form of edible dice…actually a gluten-free Battenberg sponge cake with apricot jam, marzipan and crispy white chocolate biscuit.
As for the Scrabble, this Bramley apple mousse on a genoise sponge with white and dark chocolate scrabble pieces was almost too pretty to eat.
The Snakes and Ladders is a delectable concoction made of dark chocolate, filled with a milk chocolate mousse and topped with Kirsch cherries.
We began by choosing what type of tea we wanted – whilst I was tempted by the rosebud tea, our friendly waiter recommended the lemon verbena. It had a really fantastic citrus flavour.
The champagne version of this tea is served with Ruinart, one of the oldest champagne houses and the first to export. Our Ruinart Brut, NV was delicate and fruity with notes of pear and white flowers.
A selection of games is kindly provided, so you can while away the afternoon having a truly relaxing moment. Indeed, you won’t be hurried off your table, you’re encouraged to savour your time here.
The sandwiches are very dainty – I particularly liked the ham ones on brown bread and the egg mayonnaise with mustard cress on white bread. Of course, no afternoon tea would be complete without cucumber sandwiches and these ones with cream cheese were pretty tasty too! If you wish, they will bring you a second complimentary round and they can even prepare children’s sandwiches with Nutella and peanut butter with enough prior notice.
Yet the cakes were the real star of the show with a particularly unctuous dark chocolate Monopoly top hat. Filled with a blood orange mousse, on a gluten-free dark chocolate sponge base, it’s topped with blood orange jelly and a chocolate glaze.
There was a delicious chess board made of chocolate and vanilla shortbread with a ganache of caramelised white chocolate. Finally we tasted the dominoes, a rich all butter shortbread biscuit, topped with white chocolate cheesecake and a white chocolate jelly glaze, plus dark chocolate crispy biscuit pearls.
After our sweet treats, it was time to taste the scones. I’m quite fussy about them but these really exceeded expectations. There were two sorts, fruity and plain, served with a delicious strawberry jam and clotted cream. I preferred the fruity ones although both were golden on the outside and light and fluffy in the inside, so you don’t end up feeling heavy.
After our sweet treats, it was time to taste the scones. I’m quite fussy about them but these really exceeded expectations. There were two sorts, fruity and plain, served with a delicious strawberry jam and clotted cream. I preferred the fruity ones although both were golden on the outside and light and fluffy in the inside, so you don’t end up feeling heavy.
We sampled a glass of the Ruinart Rosé Brut, NV with our scones. It was well balanced and had non of the cloying sweetness that you associate with some rosé champagnes.
This was the perfect end to an idyllic afternoon stepping back in time to childhood memories and fun. We were even given popcorn as a souvenir, wrapped in the St James’s Hotel and Club’s very own printed paper.
After our sweet treats, it was time to taste the scones. I’m quite fussy about them but these really exceeded expectations. There were two sorts, fruity and plain, served with a delicious strawberry jam and clotted cream. I preferred the fruity ones although both were golden on the outside and light and fluffy in the inside, so you don’t end up feeling heavy.
We sampled a glass of the Ruinart Rosé Brut, NV with our scones. It was well balanced and had non of the cloying sweetness that you associate with some rosé champagnes.
This was the perfect end to an idyllic afternoon stepping back in time to childhood memories and fun. We were even given popcorn as a souvenir, wrapped in the St James’s Hotel and Club’s very own printed paper.
The St James’s Hotel also offer a family package including a night’s stay, a VIP tour of Hamleys flagship store and an afternoon tea – sounds like fun! Afternoon Tea is served daily from 3.00pm to 5.30pm and starts at £40 without champagne or from £52 with a glass of champagne.
Are you a fan of themed afternoon teas?
St James’s Hotel and Club, 7-8 Park Place, London SW1A 1LS
Elegant!
I love all the photos you took. This looks like it was a lot of fun.
Thanks Jack, it was a very photogenic tea!
The cakes are simply the prettiest!!! What a lovely treat. x
I know, they really were almost too good to eat!
I love the board game theme, what a creative idea. And it looks like it was well presented, everything looks delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Yes the presentation was great and the serving staff were so friendly
great theme! another awesome afternoon tea for you:)
I know, I’m lucky to have experienced some amazing ones and this was no exception!
Perfect way to spend an afternoon!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
It was such a relaxing afternoon and the board games really added to the fun!
This afternoon tea certainly looks more original than the one we shared! A great theme and genius the way the desserts represent game elements.
Yes it’s a pity that you didn’t get to experience this one, Anouk
What a fantastic theme! I love this idea.
So unusual isn’t it!
I loved themed Afternoon Teas when they’re done well. This one looks amazing – that monopoly hat is just perfect!
Laura xx | Loved By Laura
I really like this theme as it fits so well with the history of the hotel
This is so cute, I love afternoon tea
xo
www.laurajaneatelier.com
I’m a fan too as long as there’s something unique about it like this one
It is official that I wanna move in there!! The pastries look so yummy and the interior decoration is just amazing, I want your life now!!! The afternoon tea and champagne are pure bliss!
www.fashionstylemogul.com
Ha ha, they do actually have some guests who stay long term at the hotel, what a pleasure!
What a fun and creative take on afternoon tea! Beautiful location and the food looks delicious.
Their creative juices must have been in overdrive, it’s so original
Oh wow, this is undoubtedly the most playful (and interesting!) afternoon tea I’ve seen in a while. The Monopoly Top Hat is such a fun idea, though it all looks delicious! I really like how games are provided, encouraging you to stick around for a little longer than most venues 🙂
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x
It all adds up to a very relaxing afternoon!
You are so cute!!! And cool cakes!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: ANOTHER ONE FROM THAILAND: PRINTED SKIRT
That’s very kind Marion – bon weekend!
This looks like such a wonderful afternoon tea…those sweet treats look like a work of art!
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http://ourruins.com
It was almost a pity to eat them, they looked so good!
The treats are so gorgeous and creative! The game theme is so inspired. Looks like you had a wonderful time. The top hat and dominoes really made me smile!
Http://leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
I’m always in awe of the creativity that goes into teas like this!
The places looks amazing and the dessert looks delicious! 🙂
MONDAY PROJECTS
The cakes were fantastic, I’d definitely recommend it if you’re ever in London
Oh I love the game theme and the kid’s sammies of nutella and PB sound sensational!
What a lovely and elegant tea, always good to add board games and bubbly!
Fun post! I like your site!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/
Wow, looks delicious! Thanks for the tip, will have to check it out!
Beautiful food and drinks!
Such a great idea to have tea while playing board games 😉
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/
This Afternoon Tea is lovely and do like the looks of the dessert especially the chocolate hat cake! Great fun and love anything which is a little different and quirky.
I went for an Afternoon Tea on Sunday and really enjoyed it, it’s a great experience for sure!
Laura xo
www.shehearts.net
St James hotel is lovely, I haven’t had afternoon tea there however. Like you I am very particular about my afternoon tea it has to have the right balance between sweet and savoury. Scones can make or break it. This looks nice Lucy x