Lounge – Lancaster London

2 Reviews on “Lounge – Lancaster London”

• Inher30s

  Afternoon tea at the Lancaster Hotel in London is just a few steps away from Londons Lancaster gate station, in a corner of West London overlooking Londons leafy green Hyde Park.Afternoon tea is served in the lounge of the hotel, a dimly lit area of dark wood, low chairs and coffees and a gentle hum of tinkling recorded piano in the background. Its a little bit more casual than my usual foray into afternoon tea and has attracted a varied crowd including families, couples and even a group of ladies celebrating a birthday.Executive Chef Ben Purton has designed an afternoon tea to delight and the team have clearly had a bit of fun creating this menu, all the classics are present, but with a contemporary twist. Sandwiches are roast beef and horseradish, cucumber and the Egg & Cress comes in a mini choux bun. A fun addition to the savouries is a coronation chicken tartlet, crumbly pastry revealing a moreish chicken topping.Amongst the variety of sweet treats are the traditional classic and raisin scones served warm with homemade strawberry jam and Cornish clotted room. Theres a vast selection of sweet bites and were like children in a sweet shop, unable to decide whether we start first with the chocolate truffle and raspberry lollypops with fizzy popping candy, pistachio macaroons, caramel and hazelnut tranches and a raspberry cheesecake.The Lancaster Hotel serve Novus tea in traditional Wedgwood china and when were ready, the team comes with a mini personalised sand timer to make sure its brewed to perfection, colour coded depending on the type of tea youve ordered. No longer are you reliant on the whims of an imperfectly brewed tea.The staff are charming and yet relaxed, theyre happy to take photos, chat about the desserts and I even learn that the hotel keeps its own bees, making up honey for the afternoon tea and more.Theres a small bar just off the lounge and theres a mixed group, some enjoying a quiet tipple, others grabbing a snack and theres even a group of businessmen rather incongruously tucking into delicate afternoon tea. Balloons are on offer to a group of ladies celebrating a special birthday and the charming staff even pass some balloons out to the children at a neighbouring table, eyes agog at the sight of balloons trailing around the room.The food was fresh and inventive, amongst the savouries it was the coronation chicken tartlets that sang out loudly whilst on the dessert trolley, the macarons were the perfect small treat and the white chocolate truffle and raspberry lollypops filled our mouths with popping candy flavoured glee.We spent a very charming afternoon indulging in champagne and dining out on the decadent treats served. Its not the most glamorous of settings and were a little overdressed in our glad rags, but this is a comfortable setting with good quality food, teas and a selection of mouth watering desserts.Lancaster London is undergoing upgrade works to take it to 5 stars and its almost there, the lounge needs more light to show off its prime location next to Hyde Park and itll be as airy and light as any other high end afternoon tea when you want to celebrate. inher30s.com

  June 16, 2015, 5:44 pm

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• The Awkward Blog

  Afternoon teas have seemed to shot up in popularity recently, no longer reserved for day trips or special occasions with your Mum. In London, it seems most places offering an afternoon tea compete to stand out from the crowd with a zany or quirky menu. And while that’s perfectly fun and tasty, sometimes you just want to stick to the classics, you know?The Lounge Bar at the Lancaster London hotel does just that. I spent a delightful few hours here the other day sipping on a cup of Earl Grey, nibbling on a cucumber sandwich. The ambience was cosy, the staff were attentive and friendly, and our teapots and platters discreetly topped up (as were our glasses of Laurent Perrier champagne) The Lounge was also very accommodating as my friend requested a vegetarian friendly option without butter- all made without a fuss! My sandwich platter of smoked salmon and cream cheese, egg and watercress and cucumber sandwiches were delicate, tasty and not too filling. They came with a mini Yorkshire pudding of roast beef and horseradish cream and a savoury tartlet of chicken, mushroom and tarragon. The scones were warm and perfectly presented with Cornish clotted cream and jam, and also generously refilled without much persuasion! The pastry tier had a lot to choose from; a raspberry and passion fruit macaron, a cupcake each, a sharp lemon tart, a chocolate and almond tranche and raspberry and white chocolate lollipops coasted in a sprinkling of popping candy, perched in a glass of pastel sugar. These were all greedily eaten, although I did admit defeat when it came to finishing my cupcake. Without realising it, 3 hours had passed quickly. With the weather outside blustery and wet I didn’t want to leave the comfort of my plush sofa and teapot, and reluctantly left feeling thoroughly spoilt. The Lancaster London hotel overlooks Hyde Park and they have plans to move the afternoon tea room to make use of the lovely view of the park. I couldn’t think of better way to while away the time..The tea was 30 per person or 40 if you wish to include the champagne. theawkwardblog.com

  April 30, 2015, 10:31 pm

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