There are not many places in London where you can escape the
hustle and bustle of the city and feel as if you have catapulted yourself into
another country. Walking into the five-star Sofitel London St James on the
corner of Pall Mall and Waterloo, you can. It feels as if you have stumbled on
a corner of France in London. The genius of this hotel, the former Cox &
King’s bank, is that it manages to combine French chic with traditional British
design and yet still be rather contemporary.
Having been dealing with estate agents (enough said), I
decided I needed a treat and headed to the Sofitel for afternoon tea, such a
decadent habit. Taking time out of your hectic day really is a luxury these days.
We always think of afternoon tea as being so English, but
actually we may have the Portuguese to thank partly for this tradition.
Allegedly, it was cica 1662 that Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of
King Charles ll was said to have introduced tea to the royal court.
Fast forward almost a couple of hundred years to find Anne, 7th Duchess of
Bedford, a close friend of Queen Victoria, starting to ask for light sandwiches
and cake to be brought to her to combat that “sinking feeling” felt on the long gap between
lunch and dinner. Friends were soon invited to join her and the idea caught on.
Now I find myself at the Sofitel London St James in the pink
and cream Rose Lounge discovering a new French twist to afternoon tea. Le Tea
en Rose has been specifically created to celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show. The
stunning flower displays in the Rose Lounge give the room, so reminiscent of a bijous Parisian
drawing room, the air of a rose garden. The harpist playing in the background
enhances the calmness.
Keeping to the theme,
head chef Vincent Menager has conjured up some scrumptious
floral-themed pastries. The white chocolate tartlet with a rose crème Chiboust
is rather special as is the chocolate dacquoise, jasmine flower mousse
and raspberry macaroon. The rose tea served in Bernardaud pink china cups was
remarkably uplifting.
As I delicately sip Le Vie en Rose cocktail, a melange of
British rose, Tanqueray gin, elderflower syrup, cucumber and lemon topped up
with rosé champagne adorned with rose petals, I get the feeling that Edith Piaf
would have approved this tribute.
By Daralyn Danns
Le Tea en Rose is being served in the Rose Lounge at the
Sofitel London St James daily from 2.30pm to 5.30pm throughout May.
Prices £30 per person (with cocktail £34). For more information visit
www.sofitelstjames.com
