AFTERNOON TEA AT THE BERKELEY HOTEL, LONDON

I was delighted to be taken by my daughter, Aviva, to the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, London - Fig 1, to have afternoon tea together.



Fig 1 - the Berkeley Hotel




The afternoon tea which is known as a 'Prêt-à-Portea', is inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world. The menu is changed every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion.

This is a creative twist to the classic traditional English afternoon tea of, cakes and pastries, the Prêt-à-Portea resembling the latest catwalk designs for the style conscious, Fig 2,3,4.







Fig 2 - a 'Prêt-à-Portea' afternoon tea with fine-bone china by Paul Smith for Thomas Goode

















Fig 3 - Aviva reading the Prêt-à-Portea menu



















Fig 4 - the Prêt-à-Portea menu










The selection of loose leaf teas and herbal infusions include Loose leaf English breakfast, Earl Grey, Ceylon, Lapsang Souchong, Organic Assam, Vanilla, Pear Caramel, White Peony and the Herbal infusions Camomile Citron, Wild Blossom and Berries, Chocolate Mint Truffle and African Amber. ‘Well Being’ fruit infusions include Funky Fruits, Posh Pomelo & Melon, Gorgeous Ginger, Luscious Lemon and Amazing Apple - Fig 5









Fig 5 - the interesting array of teas








The mouth-watering selection of miniatures include savoury skewers, taster spoons, elegant canapés and tea sandwiches, as well as a collection of little cakes and pastries in in the colours of the fashion season and in the style of the world’s finest designers - Fig 6,7.









Fig 6 - the range of fashion designers featured in the afternoon tea














Fig 7 - the afternoon tea 'tray'











Such delicacies include:-

Valentino orange and ginger clutch cake closed with oversized chocolate bow - Fig 8;








Fig 8 - Valentino orange and ginger clutch cake closed with oversized chocolate bow









Bottega Veneta colour blocking pink and gold pear mousse and clementine cremeux coat with matching macaroon button - Fig 9;










Fig 9 - Bottega Veneta colour blocking pink and gold pear mousse and clementine cremeux coat with matching macaroon button









Dolce and Gabbana signature gold starred chocolate éclair dress filled with hazelnut cream - Fig 10;







Fig 10 - Dolce and Gabbana signature gold starred chocolate éclair dress filled with hazelnut cream






Stella McCartney must-have polka dot sponge cake dress - Fig 11;










Fig 11 - Stella McCartney must-have polka dot sponge cake dress










Burberry Prorsum stylish black and white double breasted chocolate biscuit coat with snow white vanilla icing - Fig 12;










Fig 12 - Burberry Prorsum stylish black and white double breasted chocolate biscuit coat with snow white vanilla icing








Miu Miu winter spice glittery high-heeled shoe biscuit - Fig 13;







Fig 13 - Miu Miu winter spice glittery high-heeled shoe biscuit








Jill Sander pomegranate and grenadine mousse dress topped with colourful chocolate flower pattern - Fig 14;








Fig 14 - Jill Sander pomegranate and grenadine mousse dress topped with colourful chocolate flower pattern








Lanvin show-stopping cassis bavarois dress with crème de mûre jelly topped with signature folded meringue - Fig 15;









Fig 15 - Lanvin show-stopping cassis bavarois dress with crème de mûre jelly topped with signature folded meringue










Sonia Rykiel striped chestnut cream and almond sponge cake dress complete with trendy metallic sparkles - Fig 16.








Fig 16 - Sonia Rykiel striped chestnut cream and almond sponge cake dress complete with trendy metallic sparkles







Various other 'items' came with the afternoon tea, including duck liver mousse on a spoon - Fig 17; a beef roll, various sandwhiches and an egg mousse roll - Fig 18.






Fig 17 - duck liver mousse on a spoon










Fig 18 - a beef roll with relish, various sandwhiches and an egg mousse roll





Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea includes champagne and/or coffee if you want it, and all the afternoon tea is served on fine-bone china by Paul Smith for Thomas Goode.

Wording in part from the the Berkeley Hotel website.