A luxurious oasis for afternoon tea
Text by Kerry Vincent • Photography Courtesy of The Ritz Hotel, London
English hearts beat with genuine pride at the prospect of keeping centuries-old traditions alive, such as sharing in the tea ritual by dressing up and escaping the clatter far from the roiling crowd.
One of the quintessential havens to make such an escape is The Ritz Hotel, London, located at the leafy rim of Green Park, a short walk from Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. The hotel was founded in 1906 by the Swiss hotelier César Ritz, whose ambitious intent was to create a luxurious oasis for royalty and the rich and famous.
The Ritz, synonymous with glamour and courtly style, has become part of the international vernacular. Venerated in the musical Puttin’ on the Ritz, starring the debonair Fred Astaire, Ritz talk morphs into common language. Everyday references to a “ritzy” restaurant, “ritzy” dress, or “ritzy” neighborhoods instantly translate to “aristocratic” and “luxurious,” and that, in a nutshell, is The Ritz Hotel.
Setting impeccable standards, personnel know how to make every person feel like royalty. Sixty-five chefs devise head-spinning daily menus, sourcing the finest domestic ingredients. These components in the hands of dedicated professionals are destined to decorate dainty dishes to be placed before the “kings and queens” of the day, their precious guests who are looking for an experience of a lifetime.
Thinking of booking for tea? Then it’s time to ditch the everyday mugs and opt instead for an afternoon of rare indulgence. There is absolutely nothing like being pampered and thoroughly spoilt with a gorgeous formal teatime in the graceful Palm Court at the very heart of The Ritz.
Guests are seated upon golden upholstered Regency-style chairs at tables draped in white linens with spring flower posies, silver sugar bowls, silver tea strainers, and silver creamers. Overhead, an enormous Edwardian glazed milk glass panel, accented with a metallic trellis that includes a Greek key border, geometric squares, and concentric circles, diffuses soft romantic lighting.
Blazing hand-painted golden birdcage chandeliers, simply dripping with crystal, reflect back tenfold from gold leaf gilded mirrors on every wall. César Ritz insisted subtle lighting be especially orchestrated to make sure guests always look their best. The Palm Court salon is magical.
Reservations made, guests pass by the Head Hall Porter Michael de Cozar. In keeping with the elegant surroundings, there is a dress code in the Palm Court of no sweats or sneakers; jacket and tie is required for gentlemen.
Ascending the shallow staircase into the ornate Louis XVI salon, one passes between two massive Italian blush marble neoclassical columns into a fantasyland of ultimate luxury. Facing the entrance is an immense fresh floral centerpiece that dominates the room.
There are multiple afternoon-tea versions from which to choose: Traditional Afternoon Tea, Celebration Tea, Champagne Celebration Tea, and Champagne Afternoon Tea. So what does it all mean? The classic Traditional Afternoon Tea offers a variety of crustless finger sandwiches, scones, preserves, Cornish clotted cream, and a colorful selection of delicate pastries and pretty cakes. Steaming silver teapots brimming with specialty teas are carefully chosen by tea master Giandomenico Scanu, who travels the world searching tea plantations for the best of the best. (There are 18 choices ranging from Ritz Royal English to Rose Congou and Chocolate Mint Rooibos.) Adding a flute of misty tickle-your-nose effervescent French Champagne to the Traditional Afternoon Tea turns the occasion into a Champagne Tea. Upping the ante with a personalized cake creates a Celebration Tea, and that reaches yet another level with an additional glass of fizzing champagne for the Champagne Celebration Tea.
It is a remarkable fact that in any given year, The Ritz kitchens will prepare and serve 12.7 million finger sandwiches—a marvelous variety that includes ham with grain mustard mayonnaise on sliced brioche; Cheddar cheese and chutney on tomato bread; and chicken breast with parsley, cream, dill, and chives on malt bread in an endless list of delicious options.
The ambience is enhanced by musical notes filtering across the salon provided by perennial pianist Ian Gomes, a string quartet and soprano, or the resident harpist, depending on the time and day of the visit.
At Christmas, The Ritz is decked out in the prettiest verdant greens and vivid reds. The centerpiece in the salon, a decorated tree, is framed with elegant drapes and swags, and the columns are wrapped in gold foil interspersed with chubby cherubs, then topped with golden stags. Look closely—there are cups and saucers and tassels woven into the design.
Given the grand cuisine and the highest standards The Ritz and its legendary afternoon tea in the Palm Court exemplify, it is good to learn that hard work has not escaped the attention of those in place to acknowledge it. In 2002, HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, bestowed his royal warrant for banquet and catering. The Ritz is the first and only hotel in the world to have been honoured with this prestigious award. And in October 2016, The Ritz Restaurant earned a Michelin star—the icing on their cake!
Award-winning cake designer Kerry Vincent is a television host and a global traveler who seeks out interesting places for tea wherever she goes.
Discover more seasonal recipes, table settings, and teatime inspiration by ordering your TeaTime subscription today!
