If you follow me on Twitter (@Madebythechef) then you’ll know that the weekend before last was all about celebrating my big 40! And I was doing it in style!
Three months in the waiting and through snow, rain, hail and Christmas, my Afternoon Tea at The Savoy, London (booked back in October, even before the grand reopening following a mega £100million restoration) was finally here!
Like a cat that got the cream, albeit a clotted one, I dollied myself up for a uber posh afternoon with fourteen of my nearest and dearest lady friends and family.
I arrived in a Black London Taxi Cab (but of course) to have the door opened by a very sharp and traditional looking doormen, “staying with us madam…?” If only, I thought! “Afternoon Tea” I giggled rather nervously (must work on my etiquette). “Oooh, Afternoon Tea!” he exclaimed in a high pitched, kind of mocking tone! It was OK, quite funny really, we laughed, shared a moment, he carried my bag and I entered with baited breath…
Of course, not sure what I was expecting but luxury and sumptuousness was of the highest order! It felt like another time zone, like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers would be dancing by at any moment, I felt decidedly under-dressed. Although, luckily for me, I had brought along a nice little sequinned number, ready to be slipped on after a short trip to the toilets (which were gorgeous of course).
Afternoon Tea was in the Thames Foyer, nestled beautifully in the heart of the Savoy and complete with it’s own piano player, very atmospheric and royal.
Did I mention the service?? All of the staff were impeccably well mannered, polite and so accommodating. They couldn’t be more helpful. We occupied the largest table in the house, well, fifteen gorgeous and very chatty ladies needed some serious looking after.
Afternoon Tea was lovely, a good selection of sandwiches (although, if I’m honest, could be a little more interesting in types of bread and sandwich fillings) but with the usual cucumber, egg mayo and chicken on either wholemeal or white. All beautifully presented on some very sexy cake stands with a lovely selection of handmade scones served with jam, clotted cream and lemon curd (which caused a lot of ooohs on our table).
Sarnies were followed by a very pretty selection of mainly chocolate based cakes and finally some tea breads, of course all served from start to finish with copious amounts of tea. My cousin drank too many cups in the end, to the point she was actually feeling a little jittery, oh dear! I thought the tea breads was a nice touch although most of us were far too stuffed by this point to enjoy any of them (Lemon Poppy Seed, Carrot or Fruit, if you’re interested).
Finally, as a lovely little Birthday touch, they brought me out a very cute cake plate with Happy Birthday scrawled over with chocolate and a very delectable slice of a chocolatey moussey torte like slab that I shared with my ladies, accompanied by our pianist tickling the ivories with happy birthday. Very sweet!
All in all, for a mere snip at £36 per head (or £46 with champagne) I’d certainly say The Savoy London is worth a visit. I’ve had quite a few teas in my time, and this is certainly one of the most stylish. As one ages gracefully, it seems “Tea and Cocktails” is now higher on my list than “a drink with mates.”
Hulya has now left The Savoy building….. (Find them on Twitter @TheSavoyLondon )
