Afternoon tea was created when the seventh Duchess of Bedford began serving a meal between lunch and dinner. 150 years later, it seems more popular than ever, with hotels and restaurants updating their traditional spreads to attract a wider audience.
We’ve seen teas with exotic twists, country-themed and film-themed offerings. The Chesterfield Mayfair has taken creativity even further by playing on nostalgia. Their Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea appeals to childhood memories.
From the outside, you would never guess the hidden wonders that await inside The Chesterfield Mayfair. The only clue to its opulence is the porter in the top hat standing out front. This charming Regency-style townhouse hotel dates back to 1660 and draws you in with its classic British charm and old-world elegance. Perfectly placed in the heart of London’s exclusive Mayfair, it is a discreet, in-the-know spot resembling a private club.
Elegance and tradition
We enter through the marble-floored lobby filled with beautiful leather furniture, and ornate chandeliers, then walk past Butler’s restaurant, which features the finest examples of dog portraiture – sure to make the curators of the Wallace Collection’s recent Portraits of Dogs exhibition envious.
Afternoon tea is served in the Conservatory, a versatile space featuring a green carpet and a retractable roof. It’s bright and airy. The welcome drink sets the tone of the meal as a billowing lemonade arrives at our table. “Please don’t eat the dry ice,” says our waitress. We weren’t planning to, as we didn’t want to interrupt our appetite ahead of the delectable treats: egg mayonnaise and watercress on spinach bread, roast chicken with grain mustard mayonnaise and nibbed almonds on white bread, and cucumber, cream cheese, and dill on onion bread. This classic never gets old, especially when made properly.
Themed teas
There is an extensive menu of fine teas, some reflecting the theme of the meal. We tried Fruit Salad Chews – the glorious childhood penny sweet in the form of tea. Another highlight was Chesterfield Chocolate Tea, with a distinctive note of rich dark chocolate.
For the third round, we picked Dancing Dragon, a beautiful visual experience. Observing how hand-woven bundles of tea leaves and flower petals “bloom” into gorgeous flowers once brewed is an experience in its own right!
Sweet shop favourites
Make sure you leave room for traditional and chocolate chip scones, served with strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream, followed by themed desserts such as the Coca-Cola slice and the decadent rhubarb and custard choux.
For those who want to evoke childhood memories, there’s the Reece’s peanut butter cup – a dainty, dark chocolate-encased cube sprayed with gold; Blue raspberry and bubble gum Battenberg; Cherry love heart cheesecake; the vivid yellow Drumstick macaron; and giant Jazzies Lollipops served in a glass of popping candy. The staff are very hospitable, happy to top up any savoury and sweet treats you like and box up whatever you cannot finish.
Indulge your inner child
On the way out, don’t forget to stop by the pick-n-mix cart. Set up like an old-fashioned sweet shop cart, it’s filled with retro British sweets reminiscent of childhood visits to the corner shop. Think glass jars, scoops, striped paper bags, and all the colour and joy of a traditional sweet emporium.
We left the hotel with a red-striped party bag full of chocolate buttons, lollipops, drumsticks, flying saucers, and whizzy jellies – a lovely keepsake from an amazing and unique afternoon tea experience.
Original Sweet Shop Afternoon tea is served daily between 12.30pm and 5.30pm, from £75 per person.
More information about the Original Sweet Shop Afternoon can be found here.
Image credits: © The Chesterfield Mayfair
