This review of the Intercontinental’s limited run Christmas Unwrapped afternoon tea isn’t the first (and hopefully won’t be the last) opportunity for me to rave a little about one of London’s more elegant spaces and for you to add a bit of pampered Christmas cheer to your next outing in town.
Best bits? An especially fizzy greeting with a seasonal Champagne cocktail … Stilton, chestnut and walnut vol-au-vent is served alongside a honey roast root vegetable pie complete with gravy for drizzling … orange zest scones with homemade orange liqueur curd … turkey and sage open-faced sandwiches with black pepper and clove mayonnaise. Top points for presentation too! I loved the wow moment when the cakes were brought out giftwrapped with a bow underneath a pair of mini-Christmas trees.
Of choice, to complement these is a smart selection of teas. I especially enjoyed sipping the full-bodied Ceyln Nuwara Eliya Orange Pekoe Choicest single estate tea from Sri Lanka – an especially perfect pairing for the sandwiches.
As ever, service during my visit was prompt and polite.
The Christmas Unwrapped afternoon tea is priced at £42 per person and available now until 3 January 2016 at the Wellington Lounge, in the lobby of the Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J 7QY. Reservations for this and all afternoon tea services at the Intercontinental are recommended. Find out more at wellington-lounge.co.uk.
