On now and running throughout May is a new floral-inspired La Vie en Rose afternoon tea at the Rose Lounge at the Sofitel London St James hotel. I got a taste of this limited run luxury a couple of weeks back and very much enjoyed it. Here’s a waft of what made it such a treat for me.
Maybe it was the harpist playing in the corner of the Sofitel’s comfortable yet elegant Rose Lounge? Really, where else are you going to find something like that around town these days?
Or perhaps it was the chance to sip from a selection of the exquisite assortment of blends from old school French teahouse, Dammon Freres. I tried two: the especially well suited and fragrant Rose Bud and a more robust and rather pungent Lapsang Souchoung smoked black tea. I loved both.
Or was it the limited edition desserts created by Head Chef Vincent Menager to celebrate the upcoming Chelsea Flower Show? Poppy mousseline cream with vanilla sponge, strawberry compote and pink chocolate spray; hibiscus parfait with raspberry jelly, mascarpone cream, rose jelly, hibiscus jelly, and crystalised rose petals … I could go on.
Whatever the case (and it was probably those desserts), I’m happy to recommend visiting the Rose Lounge for a quality afternoon tea. And do so this month while La Vie en Rose menu is on is double guarantee of delight. The limited run tea is a celebration of the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show and is offered daily from noon to 6pm with prices starting at £30.
Finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones (served with lemon curd alongside more traditional clotted cream and strawberry preserves) were all delish. Service was swift and cordial.
For more about the Rose Lounge and its La Vie en Rose afternoon tea, go to sofitelstjames.com. Sofitel London St James is located at 6 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4AN.
