Gorgeous tea-tasting evening at Piacha, Islington, London. Run by the incredible Pia Ikkala, with unique blends and gorgeous classics. This is a nutty, rich black oolong, and the sandwiches all include some tea (here apple green with brie and genmaicha with salmon).
Delicious first flush Darjeeling and a ballsy Sri Lankan black tea with a French-inspired afternoon tea in Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (old town). The Chaikhana tea house is lovely with an extensive tea menu. The afternoon tea’s duck liver mousse on walnut bread with fig configure was the absolute winner; we also had a gorgeous croque madame and a hearty club sandwich.
Afternoon tea at The Wellesley, Knightsbridge, London. We snaffled up the good too fast to photograph most of it. The Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong tea was bagged but whole leaf with a mild fragrance and light, sweet taste. The 2nd flush Darjeeling was pretty good too. A good value special treat in lovely surroundings.
Afternoon tea with an Italian twist at The Pelham hotel in London. Teas by Camellia’s Tea House. A sweet, fresh white peony and (pictured) the Beautiful Skin infusion (largely dandelion, I think). Sadly no oolong on the tea list, but some green and jasmine as well as the usual English breakfast and Earl Grey.
The traditional tea ritual is often anything but. Here are the finest and quirkiest sit-down teas in the English capital, from the classic version at Claridge’s to a movable feast.
