Browns Hotel in Mayfair – think Lady Bracknell meets Paris Hilton – won the Best Tea award from the Tea Council in 2009; as a consequence, you may need to book a slot some weeks, or even months in advance to take tea in the afternoon, a quintessentially English tradition.
An endless supply of tiny fresh sandwiches, home made scones with jam and clotted cream, small pastries and dainties, and more cakes from the trolley keep coming until you beg them to stop.
A new addition to their repertoire for the weight conscious is the “Tea Tox” option, a healthier alternative. Using low fat and sugar-free produce, the Tea Tox enables you to indulge yourself, without being too naughty.
This is all washed down with as many choices of tea as you like. Their Afternoon tea is recommended – an Indian blend; they also have a Darjeeling and Assam and about fifteen others.
Tea is available until 6pm, which is perfect for a pre-theatre visit. From £37 per head, it’s not cheap, but it is a unique experience and certainly memorable.
Sitting in plush armchairs with a pianist tinkling away in the corner, for an hour or so you can pretend this is how you always live.
Afternoon Tea is served between 3pm and 6pm Monday to Friday and 1pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Albermarle Street, Mayfair , London, UK
Contact tel: +44 (0)20 7493 6020
Cost 2 course set menu: £25 – £35 per person, 3 course set menu: £35 – £50 per person
