London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Hunt down the last few gifts on the list, write the last few cards, hug your favourite colleagues at work, have a nice time, see you next year, comparison of festive plans, who will travel the largest number of km in the shortest time, at least there is no snow this year, no chaos, what a relief, a last card on the way out, forgot to do some for the neighbours, must do that before I go, fill a suitcase, not enough space, empty the suitcase, grumble,  get a bigger one, sit on it, chuckle, in a nutshell: speed up to be able in a few hours to slow down and relax. A merry Christmas to you all!

: We wish you a merry Christmas:
* Quick, a few days left to have a look at this life-size Advent calendar.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, there is shopping left to do:
* Cup of tea, anyone?
* A few places for late/last minute shopping, inclusing on the 24th.

Yummy time ahead:
* Add a little exotism to your last minute preparations and have a Turquish coffee. And maybe a cake. Or two.
* Eat smart. For lobster, click this way, we promise it will not break the bank.
* Fed up with the cooking spirit? Have a break. and a champagne brunch.
* Quick – note in your 2012 agenda your Monday appointments: delicious ramen.

That’s art, baby:
* Apocalypse at the Tate Britain.

A little touch of magic:
* Look out for leaves on the pavement. Between autumn and spring.
* Marvel at one of the most beautiful synagogues in London.
* Royal Mail will launch Roald Dahl stamps in January -  preorder them, they will be gone in no time!

I ♥ London:
* Fall in love again with the city.
* Well done! Fans of the inspiring blog Tired of London, tired of life will be delighted it will soon be followed by a book beginning of January. Well done to the gentle author!

A spoonful. Sweet mint. Dried apple, rosebuds.
Suddenly longing for a picnic, on a freshly cut grass. Looking up to the sky, deciphering shapes in the clouds.
The taste of summer, of childhood memories, of pressing aromatic leaves whithin your fingers.
The taste of autumn, picking up the apples, laying them down neatly in the basement, the air more sugary at each visit.
Ever so refreshing, very natural. Love at first sip for this infusion that does make you forget about tea.
A storm of cheerfulness in a teacup.

Suki Tea – Apple ♥ Mint, £3.99

My mind is elsewhere this week. Partly in endless Xmas shopping lists, partly in the mountains of leaves in the garden that I keep jumping in with my daughter and partly in packing a suitcase. I will be enjoying the sun of New Delhi next week. A few days with spices and exotic colours…

We wish you a merry Xmas (no, it’s never too early)
* Bond street lights will be switched on on the 17th – the shop windows always are worth making a special detour…
* Also on the 17th – 20% reduction in Carnaby street!

That’s art, baby:
* Tip your hat to Terence Conran‘s genius at the Design Museum.
* With birds… or without?
* Art vs postcard. Love at first sight, buy one and learn at the very end who did it. You may well have a Tracey Emin or an Anish Kapoor!

Yummy time:
* Say no to food waste. On Trafalgar Square Friday evening, learn to cook a better way and nibble delicious treats.
* Indulge in delicious breakfasts.
* Coffee or tea?

Out of the ordinary:
* You knew speed-dating. The new trend is speed listening – ipod music sharing with a cocktail.
* Try a less known park.
* Sleep in an Ikea.
* Give aquatic siatshu a try – you can’t get bored in this town!

You know how sweet places matter to me. Yet around Covent Garden, this proved tricky. There are delicious cupcakeries and pâtisseries, yes, yet with very limited seating space.

Wasn’t there an atmospheric lounge where one could spend the afternoon with friends? One that would wow friends visiting from abroad, where we could dream together while sipping on a fragrant cup of tea or a succulent cocktail, forgetting the time entirely?

Well, I have found it. Just a two minutes walk from the market. Perfect location.

Step in One aldwych hotel and you will find a soothing luxurious atmosphere, a lovely cocoon. On each side, huge windows bring natural light in -  on a sunny day,  it has a golden touch to it. Look around – there are amazing work of art around the whole building, such as this man in a tiny boat rowing his way through the room. The florist has amazing skills too -  his creations always fill the room magniciently, a botanical firework. Whether you are a regular visitor or a first time guest, you will be treated as a first class guest, an elegant and delicate approach that matters most to this independant palace.

Follow me -  it is afternoon tea season! With a glass of champagne any rainy day suddenly feels bubblier…

Here tradition is brought a modern twist. The triangle sandwiches offer delicious salmon with a hint of wasabi, generous chicken, yummy sauces, cucumber slices so thin they almost feel creamy, seedy bread… but you will completely fall for the canape versions of Welsh rarebit and Scotch eggs. Miniature versions you see, allows more focus on taste and oh, those savoury bites are just to die for.

Ah, this melted cheddar with bechamel that fills the mouth, the discreet Worcester sauce that makes the whole difference, the tomato locking all the taste in a single mouthful… And the quail egg, still runny yolk with a pinch of celery salt, the herby meat followed by the crunchy bready wrapping. I had never been a fan of Scotch eggs -  a bit dry to my taste but here the balance is just right, moist and tender. Try it with a little caper sauce to add crunchiness to the texture…

You could stop there. You would be totally satisfied with a whole plate of those. But you have already looked up and you cannot resist trying the cakes anymore. Start with the carrot cake -  amazing portion yet very light, a little poem of carrot, raisins, walnuts. Well done for not killing it with icing but sprinklinh chopped hazelnuts instead.

Next on your list is the chocolate fondant – dark cacao laced with raspberry. A very dramatic effect that will suprise any chocoholic by its intensity finishing on the cloud effect of the cream. So complex it feels like it is telling a story…

The star is the Battenberg, so cheerful in colour, an explosion of colour. If like me, you had only tasted Mr Kipling’s ones, make a special detour for this. The almond paste is incredibly refined, and you can taste the vanilla in the cake, the apricot jam keeping the squares together. I cannot understand why such an amazing cake does not appear more in British cafés. The graphism is so inspiring too, you feel like piling the squares, making a Rubik’s cube with them or bite straight into it.

Take the opportunity to rediscover the Eton Mess too with this autumn version served in a cute glass. Caramelised apple compote, a layer of vanilla treat then whipped cream and crunchy sugary topping. Dig all the way down to try and have the four ingredients on your spoon and let it melt slowly on your tongue…

Or give up on the clotted cream and enjoy it on their brioche-like scones -  that is just royal.

The bonus? The more the merrier. 4 friends and one afternoon tea is free. 8 friends and you can enjoy a complimentary magnum of champagne.

As it is situated at the heart of theatreland (The Lion King is played in the nearby street), One Aldwych has thought of an idea for those who want to enjoy the magic of an evening a little longer. Come after 22.00 to enjoy the 10 after 10 offer: one of their amazing desert (and the description will make your mouth water) and a glass of wine for £10… Worth noting too are their movies evening -  £42.50 is quite a deal for a 3-course dinner, projection, popcorn and champagne! Being a mum, I love their brunch and family film option too. This is a particularly child-friendly hotel. Little ones get their own slippers and robe, a book is left on their bed for bedtime stories, the room service offers special dishes and smoothies for them…

Have a look at the website to discover the beauty of the rooms. This sublime hotel puts a special care in small details, a personalised atmosphere and really goes the extra mile to make your stay feel festive. I can only tip my hat to them.

One Aldwych
London
WC2B 4BZ

Afternoon tea, £26.50
Champagne afternoon tea, £35

Teatime in Wonderland was invited by OneAldwych for their gorgeous afternoon tea

Cake lovers, your attention please. You may have thought you were an expert, knew the sweetest places in town, delicate pastries and fragrant cups of teas. You may even have had a sugary walk per neighbourhood.

This book will get you hunting again. How could you have missed this irresistible cheesecake? And here, a lavender cake? Ooooh, what about those adorable vintage teapots…

A clever guide divided in everyday pleasures, extraodinary afternoon teas with a twist, take away temptations, and well done a section with vegan/allergies places.

Warning: never, ever open without a homemade dessert on the side. The pictures will make your mouth water in no time.

Tea & cake -London, £9.99

The secret of a charming afternoon tea also is in the delicate china on the table – tea always tastes better in the cutest cup. Royal Albert recently re-edited past collections like this adorable trio originally created in 1950. The bright blue really stands out, bringing the flowers alive. Don’t hesitate to match it to vibrant colours: redcurrants, a rose and raspberry cake, a few nasturniums just picked in the garden… So very British and so very elegant.

Festival 1950 trio – £40 on the website or at Liberty who propose so many amazing cups and saucers.
Have you discovered Burleigh’s floral motifs yet?

I am counting the days to the holidays. You know, prisonner like, crossing them out. I know they are not so far away but looking at the piles of files on my desk, it looks like the wall of China is between me and them. And so I look at London who also derives towards dreamy places. Here a hotel becomes a narrowboat (or vice-versa), close to a floating restaurant. A parking is sublimed by a classical music concert. Camping becomes urban and with a view. Even spas head toward the garden.

Are you trying to escape too? Well, I can help you make it to the week-end at least. Print this page. Thanks to Thrillist, you can have a free cocktails, a French twist the Pimm’s. Instead of the classic British aperitif, this one is made with my favourite Bordeaux alcohol, Lillet. A delight.

All re-energised to go and enjoy London!

* Learn to dance tango in Spitafields. It’s free. And romantic. And sexy.

* Movie fan? Take place on the Dalston roofs.

* Have tea in a historical house with Bea’s of Bloomsbury. We love her cupcakes.

* Just a year left before the Olympic games and London is celebrating with 1000 events.

* Discover the Brixton murals.

* There is quite a party on Whitecross street and street art will be involved too.

* Do you like Chinese shadows?

* Discover British wines at the Borough Market.

* Nike proposes free sport sessions in London parks.

* Art will make you smile on the Central Line.

* Soho celebrates short-movies until July 29. go and see them at the Curzon, the Apple Store, the Hospital Club…

* Do you have a bike? A few cafés for you this way.

* We love these new themed tours of London: fashion, foodie, art on Bond Street…

* Missing the royal wedding atmosphere? Have another dose!

Pssst: Always wanted to discover the view from the BT tower? Book here.

Because they are playful and irresistible.

Because you can go for the British version with scones and tringle sandwiches. Or choose a single pastry if you prefer. Or even be a child again with a glass of milk and cookies. Or be very Parisian and drink of of the velvety Mariage Frères tea. Or even add a little crazyness to the day and have a sweet and a Mariage Frères cocktail. There is always the perfect variation to suit your mood.

Because the afternoon tea also proposes petit-fours and you can try more in miniature versions and you feel spoilt and happy.

Because the lemon tartelettes are the best in town, tangy, not too sugary, a touch of cream, perfectly addictive.

Because you had never tried this heart-shaped biscuit, very French, almost caramelised, crunchy, and you will not leave a crumb behind. The alliance with an espresso is the best fix and we need it on the menu every hour of the day.

Because hot drinks always come with a square of Dolfin chocolate. Which one will you have today? Milk? Aniseed? Cinnamon?

Because we just know a sweet heaven when we see it!

Café Luc
50 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 5HN

Afternoon tea from 14.30 to 18.00

Know what I like best in London? The cheerful touch of crazyness, the freedom to be creative, different.
Example -  this guy who decided one day to commute by canoe-kayak. Fabulous. I have been searching for an equivalent since (as there is no canal on my way to the office).
Meanwhile, here is a cocktail of plans to enjoy the so British city this week-end:

* David Lynch fan? Twin Peaks is back, just for one night this Thursday.

* Free ice-cream at Dri Dri on Friday. Come on, you can’t say no to this.

* Stop at the Scoop – free theatre on Friday and this week-end.

* Calling all chocaholics – check out those yummy walks!

* Wake up the sumo in you -  it is all for a good cause.

* Get your ticket for Taste of London – quite expensive but you will not be able to resist the menus for long.

* Pretend you’re in Tokyo and have a karaoke party. This hotel dedicates rooms with cocktails and outfits.

* Musicals take over Trafalgar.

* Black Peper? Lavander? Marmite? Paul A Young just opened his new Soho shop.

* Smile with this dog show. Lookalike competition: which 4-pawed-cutie will look the closest to Queen Victorias’ dog? Which other will be the best Victorian fashioned?

* Find happiness (and/or a good bargain) at Wimbledon’s car boot sale, the best around according to Time Out.

* Tea in a park? Yes, call it med-tea-tation.

* 10 ideas for Southbank.

* Party time on Marylebone: farmers’ market, foodie stalls, animations, salsa, concerts… Café Luc will be there too, serving mussels in a saffron sauce. Oh, and their fab cocktails too, of course.

* Ignore cinema chains. Independant ones have so much more charm.

* What if it rains? Have a virtual walk.

Pssst:
* On June 20th, sing a little opera.
* On June 21, meet Tracey Emin at Selfridges: she will be opening a pop-up concept store there.

This Tea House, nestled in a quiet street of Notting Hill, remains my favourite peace haven. At each visits leaves me fascinated by Pei who will recount tales of Oolong and amazing recipes. What is simmering water to us would be the kettle’s song to him…

It is the only place I know serving Ba Bao 8 Treasures tea. To prepare this gorgeous concontion, stop at his counter, filled with glass jars of dried flowers and fruit. You can invent your own recipe – his is made of goji berries, Logan ones, red dates, chrysanthemum, jasmine, rose bud, candied melon and sencha.

An extraordinary floral mix which can infuse for hours without getting any bitterness. The flavours evolve constantly, with one ingredient taking over another. Such a rich taste, easy to sip on all day, you will never tire of it. Softer than a tea, it will also seduce children.

Another little joy: both flowers and fruits, once infused are really lovely to eat…

Teanamu
14A St Lukes Rd
Next to 1 Lancaster rd
London W11 1DP