by Corina Tan
On good authority from Lady Whistledown, a social event not to be missed is coming to town this season.
On the doorstep of Hyde Park, just a stone’s throw away from Harrods, Sloan Street and Knightsbridge, this luxury mansion turned grand hotel is delighted to announce London’s first, exclusive Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea. Dust off your Regency best, as the latest seasonal afternoon tea event pays homage to the era of great reveling, high-style, elegant parties, balls, and grand dinners offering a limited-edition menu with a contemporary twist.
Partnering with Netflix and Shondaland, the Bridgerton afternoon-tea will take place at The Lanesborough’s richly decorated dining room with natural light illuminating through a domed-glass roof in the day, while seductively aglow under the softly lit chandeliers in the evening. Beneath this original sky dome is a bas-relief artwork meticulously cast from 250 different moldings, and Wedgewood china mounted on the walls, evoking a sense of Regency neo-classical grandeur.
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The Lanesborough’s Head Pastry Chef, Kevin Miller has carefully crafted a menu that will pay tribute to the key families in Bridgerton, in addition to ‘Lanesborough House’ built in 1825 in the fashionable classical style by William Wilkins, at the highpoint of the Regency era and today, London’s quintessential Regency building. Finger sandwiches and brioche sliders will comprise of Coronation chicken, fresh coriander, Clarence court egg mayonnaise, wholegrain mustard, Smoked salmon, horseradish, watercress, Organic cucumber, natural yoghurt, mint, Rare roast beef slider, black pepper mayonnaise, onion seed. To accompany savory flavors and The Lanesborough’s delectable scones, cream and jam, Miller’s curated cake and sweet treat concept will include five signature highlights, embracing:
- The Queen’s Diamond – dedicated to the star of the season, to celebrate great reveling and high style. An exquisite hand-crafted chocolate blended with honey, green cardamom and white chocolate ganache, displayed in a beautiful jewel colored ring box, is a nod to Edwina Sharma, this season’s diamond.
- The Rake – in honor of Viscount Anthony, The Rake is a cake of distinction – a real big spender – good looking and refined. A dandy white shirt enveloped in a crisp tailored suit with a dashing cream cravat, the delectable cake is a chocolate sable with milk chocolate mousse and a burst of whipped passionfruit curd center. It is finished in a dark chocolate glaze, chocolate shard collar, and a whipped passionfruit cream Chantilly cravat.
- A True Love Match – a British staple inspired by the exquisite Queen Charlotte, A True Love Match is an elegant, largesse classic layered Charlotte sponge cake constructed from a delicious light vanilla sponge, layered by the seasons, with strawberry jam and vanilla twisted cream.
- The Lady Whistledown – a nod to Lady Whistledown, the narrator and high society columnist in Bridgerton, this cake is reflective of her ink pot and quill. Inside is a pistachio nut financier and pistachio mousse, coated in milk chocolate and cocoa butter.
- All is Fair in Love & War – the star of the show sitting atop the cake stand, All is Fair in Love & War celebrates the Bridgerton family and is pale blue in color, embossed with a bee – the symbol of Bridgerton. The concept roots back to the earliest known origin of the sentiment ‘all is fair in love in war’, found in poet John Lyly’s 1579 novel, Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit. This dessert is to share between two; a rosewater cheesecake with a burst of raspberry jelly in the center, on a crumble crunch base coated in sprayed-blue white chocolate. The question is, who gets the biggest slice? After all, All is Fair in Love and War.
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The Pall Mall Cocktail
Inspired by the original Regency Gin Punch, the essential cocktail that formed part of quotidian social life during the Regency period, The Lanesborough’s Head of Bars, Mickael Perron has created The Pall Mall cocktail; a refreshing recipe combining Hendrick’s gin & Graham Blend No5 white port, balanced with citrus and subtle sweetness. The delectable concoction is served in an elegant high glass teacup, with a tea strainer filled with dried hibiscus flowers to infuse the drink with a pinkish color. Finally, the cocktail is garnished with a floating lotus flower arrangement – the national flower of India that occupies a unique position in Indian culture – another nod to the Sharmas.
The Pall Mall – Non Alcoholic
Generously presented tropical punch prepared with Atopia Non Alcoholic spirits, Ginger & Rhubarb as well as Hedgerow Berry. Graciously mixed with London Essence roasted pineapple soda, lychee, passion fruit & citrus. Served with Butterfly Pea Flower infusion, for a gracious finish.
The Lanesborough’s Bridgerton Afternoon Tea is priced from £65 per person; from £76pp with The Pall Mall cocktail; or from £80pp with a glass of House Champagne. Children’s afternoon tea menu from £35pp for children under 12.
Running from 25 March to 1 September 2022, from 2.30pm – 4.00pm, Mondays through Thursdays and 12noon – 4.00pm Fridays to Sundays.
Make haste, and secure your booking – it would be quite the scandal to miss it. Prior reservation is absolutely essential to avoid grievous disappointment and possible societal embarrassment.
For more information and to book, visit Lanesborough’s Bridgerton or call +44 (0)20 7259 5599.
Photos: The Lanesborough
