Mayfair ladies | Afternoon tea at Quince, Mayfair Hotel, Stratton Street, London W1J 8LT

The perfect setting for ladies that lunch…

I am officially now an afternoon tea convert. Past experiences haven’t been that spectacular or impressive, I didn’t really get the whole fuss, until now. My little sister chose to have afternoon tea at Quince at the May Fair hotel as part of her 30th birthday celebrations extravaganza. As well as breakfast at The Breakfast Club, cakes at the Hummingbird Bakery, a spa afternoon at the May Fair hotel, a night at the Z Hotel and then dinner in Nobu, phew! I dread to think what she’d do for a hen night, better start saving…

The May Fair hotel smells so good, I could happily have sat in the lobby just sniffing the spa-like air whilst I waited for my sister and friends to emerge from the spa in a dozy and slightly flushed state. It was a Monday afternoon so Quince was quiet, apart from us, what looked like a hen party and a sprinkling of people who are obviously lucky enough to swan about having afternoon tea every day.

Don’t get me started on the macaron/macaroon debate. I might call on Edd Kimber for back-up!

At £29.50 per person, it is fairly reasonable, of course the weary post-spa birthday girl opted for the Champagne afternoon tea £41 per person, which includes a glass of Duval-Leroy Champagne. The tea is bought round in a display box to make your selection, we both chose an aromatic Jasmine Blossom whilst the others girls had good old English Breakfast and Peppermint.

The sandwich offering consisted of beautiful super-soft pillowy white bread with ham and mustard, devilled egg mayonnaise and cress on a bagel, and Scottish smoked salmon with chives, crème fraiche and avocado on house soda bread. The second tier was bulging with warm freshly baked scones, clotted cream and home-made conserves including a great quince jam.

On the top-tier the best was to be found – strawberries and cream macaroon [sic], which bought on the inevitable macaron/macaroon discussion which winds me up every time, plus millionaire shortbread, custard tartlets, chelsea buns and a very pungent Pimm’s and lemonade jelly, obviously packed full of booze as it made me feel just the slightest bit squiffy.

Despite being ravenous we were unable to devour the lot, and refills were offered too! The attentive staff made sure the birthday girl felt special, which was all we could ask for, she was presented with her first of three ‘birthday plates’ and happy birthday song, not that she likes the fuss or attention of course…

Oh to be a lady of leisure, I could easily get used to this kind of afternoon.

www.quincelondon.com
Stratton Street
Mayfair
London
W1J 8LT

Telephone: 020 7915 3892

Opening hours for afternoon tea: Monday to Friday 3pm to 5.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm to 5.30pm

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Nearest station: Green Park