A boozy and panoramic double entendre, Paramount’s High Spirits afternoon tea yields a civilised chance to catch a lofty buzz while taking in some of the best views of London.
Created by Head Chef Kryzsztof Zachwieja, this new tea offered at the top of the Centrepoint building (the tower situated over Tottenham Court Road Station) features alcohol in every element, from spiked sandwiches along the lines of gin and orange-cured salmon with lemon butter on lemon bread to pie-eyed pastries and cakes like Amaretto tiramisu with lime mascarpone. Scones are served with a Cointreau jam.
Kemey and I very much liked everything presented during our recent Saturday visit. I was especially partial to the whisky-smoked ham and wholegrain mustard sandwiches, and we both thought the Brandy & Cherry Cola (cherry and brandy compote with cola jelly, cola granita and sherbet) was delightful.
There is actual tea to go with all this juiced up food. I had an enlivening “High Tea Cocktail” (which despite the name and the theme contained no alcohol) herbal blend of orange, ginger, gingko, milk thistle, ginseng and schizandra. Kemey went with a more classic “English Rose” Earl Grey.
And of course there are the actual the cocktails. I was deeply impressed with exquisite The Green Hour (Grey Goose La Poire, apple liqueur, fresh lemon and apple juice, pistachio syrup, La Fontaine Absinth and egg white) as was Kemey with her Italian Gentleman (Gentleman Jack whiskey, Mozart Dark chocolate liqueur, crème de fraise, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Angostura bitters, and Aztec chocolate bitters). It was a bit of a toughie deciding on those two sippers. The drinks menu is an inspired read and I would be most keen for a repeat visit for further sampling!
Afterwards (if your knees aren’t too wobbly), guests can head up stairs to Paramount’s viewing gallery with its near-floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree views over London.
As much as I loved the tea, taking in all the scenery was the real highlight. I’d been to Paramount a few times before; the views from there are among my favourite of London. You’re right there in the heart of town with Oxford Street extending from just below and the rest of the city seeming to unfold from there.
Th High Spirits afternoon tea costs £28 per person tea (or £42 including a cocktail of your choice) which I reckon extremely good value given the price of comparable teas. During our visit we were seated by the window (which I would think is pretty much guaranteed with a booking but it wouldn’t hurt to ask). Service was friendly and efficient.
Paramount is located at the 32nd floor of Centre Point, 101-103 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1DD. A variety of afternoon teas are available daily between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Find out more at paramount.uk.net.
Tipsy sandwiches include gin and orange-cured salmon with lemon butter on lemon bread; whisky-smoked ham with wholegrain mustard on tomato bread and even a Bloody Mary on wholegrain bread! Scones will be served with Cointreau and orange jam.
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