Looking for an alternative to traditional tea fare this Afternoon Tea Week? Here are five teas that have ditched the classic scones and finger sandwiches in favour of some unique combinations that are inspired by regional cuisine or simply just a bit quirky.
Italian
Marco Pierre White’s New York, Italian Restaurant in Sheffield serves two types of Afternoon Tea but it’s the Italian choice that’s got our vote. Presented in a vintage wine box, the bruschetta and pastrami savouries are a welcome change to the traditional tea menu. Be warned, this Italian fare does away with traditional scones but there are so many sweet treats from cronuts to biscotti with dipping chocolate, you'll wonder why you ever thought you needed scones in the first place!
Price: £16.00pp or £19.95 with a glass of champagne.
Punk
The Baltic Social in Liverpool’s hip Baltic Triangle offers an Afternoon Tea that’s about as far removed from traditional finger sandwiches and scones as you could imagine. Think meaty sliders, hot dogs, salted pretzels and pic ’n’ mix all served on cake stands made from vinyl plus a ‘boozy teapot’ and you’ve got just about the most punky Afternoon Tea ever.
Price: £19.95pp www.thebalticsocial.com
Sushi
For sushi fans out there, Australasia in Manchester has got you covered. Served in two waves on minimalist pyramid stands, you’ll find no cucumber sandwiches in sight. Instead guests can sample a medley of Asian bites including tuna, salmon and mushroom sushi, noodles and vegetable spring rolls before a selection of unique sweets including sweet spring rolls and chocolate and coconut roll. Plus you can team it with a cocktail - we recommend the flaming (literally) Bush Fire.
Price: £25pp www.australasia.uk.com
Dim Sum
Another Asian-style tea but specialised in dim sum and regional Cantonese cuisine, this alternative tea is served at Le Chinois, a restaurant inside the Millennium Hotel, Knightsbridge London. Here you’ll find crispy shredded duck, wasabi prawns and red bean and panda mochi cake served with a selection of Chinese teas.
Price: £25pp www.millenniumhotels.com
Gentleman
Prefer your sandwiches a little chunkier or is a pie your pastry of choice? Then the gentleman’s Afternoon Tea at The Milestone, London is for you. Oozing old school glamour, this tea comes loaded with savoury bites including a mini toad in the hole, chicken lollipop and a trio of whiskeys to finish.
Price: £36.50pp. www.milestonehotel.com
Have you tried an alternative Afternoon Tea? Let us know on Twitter @TeacupReview.