It's High Time for Tea

You know I'm a big fan of Afternoon Tea and I've already tried out Mint Hotel (now Hilton), Hotel Du Vin and Hyatt Regency (twice for good measure). So I'm delighted to get an alert from new kid (although a mighty big kid) on the indie block, Hotel La Tour.It's interesting that Hotel La Tour are calling this High Tea, which from my childhood I remember as being around 5-6pm and consisting of a much more varied, savoury menu. I'm pleased though that this is the traditional afternoon tea, albeit dressed up in the Hotel La Tour fashion, modern twist on classic food.So this is not your standard afternoon tea; it's Hotel La Tour High Tea. The BF & I arrive promptly and starving in the middle of another hectic week to be greeted by a quiet haven of modernity in Hotel La Tour's reception. We've been before of course but delighted to be here to preview the High Tea today.Firstly we are offered a choice of an Early Grey Bellini and something else. I didn't hear the something else though as my thoughts stayed with 'Earl Grey Bellini.' I don't even drink tea and I'm entirely impressed with this offer which I readily accept.So the modern twist:

The whole tea arrived on a 3 tier floor stand. The finger sandwiches although delightful, are as you would expect. I'm initially surprised that there are no cucumber sandwiches as I expected Hotel La Tour to come up with twist on that classic. Then I am alerted to the fact that the rolled up bread constructions are in fact 'inside out cucumber sandwiches'! They have sure have had some fun thinking up this menu.The twist : the Welsh Rarebit;warm bread to be dipped into a hot sauce!Next the scones round and they arrive looking like they have been fattened! They could have been a bit more moist but they sure look good and the clotted cream is so rich it needs two spoons just to lift it out of the dainty bowl.The twist  the little strawberry bits on the scones.Then come the cakes; the High Tea desserts and what everyone has been talking about are the Jaffa cakes that taste like Jaffa cakes but look like orange slices! There are also canape sized treacle tarts, Eton mess and walnut whips looking very much like cones. Possibly a little too much cake but all roads do lead to cake.The BF sipping coffee (the lovely staff didn't blink when we both asked for coffee, which is lovely) in the lush high-backed chairs.Hotel La Tour serve high tea Friday to Sunday from 2-4. The meal is made for lingering so book for 2pm and take your time! Oh and say hello to the wonderfully hard-working Sue Castle Smith if you see her!Follow on Twitter Rickie Writes