Afternoon Tea in the Sky

Most people start their January with a good detox, cutting back on the cake and getting rid of all ‘merry’ evidence of the Christmas and New Year festivities - or at least trying to.

However, I began my year on a work trip to Las Vegas, hardly the epicentre of detox juices and salads but rather the home of excess and extravagance or in my case, a big welcome dollop of cream and ten sugars, in my morning cup of coffee.

I had no idea where our first afternoon tea adventure was going to take place this year and I certainly didn’t expect it to happen at 30,000 ft. up in the clouds but that’s exactly what happened on a tired-eyed British Airways' flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas, painfully soon after NYE.

We’d heard of BA’s afternoon tea but still we weren’t too sure what to expect from what would be ATC's highest tea experience yet.

Tasty cakes.

Served in the Business Class cabin, this tea was a welcome change to the usual cheese and crackers pack we’re used to snacking on mid-flight.

Layered tea stands don’t exactly make for the most practical form of food presentation in the air, so the tea arrived on three separate dishes, with scones served from a basket, allowing you to choose which ones you wanted.

Birds eye view from the sky.

Starting with a good, fresh selection of sandwiches including egg mayonnaise, prawn and beef and a choice of tea of coffee, there was a good mix of flavours on the menu. Followed by scones (and by the looks of it, as many as you would have liked!) accompanied by a pot of jam and clotted cream and finally a selection of cakes to finish (French fancie, tiffin slice and brandy cake), this was a dainty but delicious afternoon treat.

On the ground, this tea is probably best compared to some of the more simple afternoon tea menus we have sampled such as that at the Radisson Blu – basic but ticks most boxes of a good afternoon tea. For the added novelty of taking tea in the sky, it’s definitely up there with others around the £15/20 price point.

If you find yourself jetting off to somewhere special soon and fancy a bit of luxury, I would high-ly recommend this - Laura

Afternoon Tea is available on selected long-haul British Airways flights in Business and First Class. For more information go to: www.britishairways.com

ATC on Tour: Tubingen, Germany

It's hard to give up an obsession with tea and cake so even when we're on our travels we can't really resist the call of a cute tea room or coffee shop.

Pink traditional coffee maker.

 

This month, Laura visited Tubingen in Germany which, amongst it's traditional southern architecture and picturesque river, revealed itself to be a hub of mini coffee houses and tea shops. Oh, and a pastry lovers dream! 

Walnut and Mandarin Cake.

A favourite was Cafe L, a coffee shop that had literally opened the week before I arrived so everything was shiny and new. 

The counter was bulging with gorgeous golden pastries and particular mention must go to the yummy croissants and almond cakes - so sweet and the perfect companion to the creamy latte they served. 

It's bold decor was very modern yet in keeping with the area's traditional theme had a fab vintage coffee maker on display in the seating area - and it was pink! 

Cafe L

Another was Marktchenke, a little cafe in the centre of the town with a very studenty feel. With indie music coming through the speakers and a menu that boasted mainly snacks and cakes, it was a great relaxing place for a quick lunch. 

Apricot Filled Pastry.

There were so many great coffee shops around I could have quite easily lived there! Where there's cake and tea, I will always be happy. 

Have you been to any great coffee shops on your travels? Join in the conversation on Twitter this #AfternoonTeaWeek at @TeacupReview 

Afternoon Tea News: Eric Lanlard Fusion Afternoon Tea at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London

Last week the Jumeirah Carlton Tower announced their latest Afternoon Tea collaboration with Eric Lanlard and we've got to say that we're pretty excited about this one!

For the last twelve months master patissier Eric Lanlard has been delighting guests at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower with his pretty “Rêves d'orient” Afternoon Tea, combining a whole host of exotic flavours and vibrant colours to create a wonderfully fresh and innovative travel inspired menu. So when the Jumeirah announced last month that Lanlard was to launch a new tea at the hotel, we were a little unsure as to how he could ever hope to better the “Rêves d'orient”. However, it would seem that our fears were for nothing, as his new 'Fusion' tea is just as pretty as the last, with a menu to tempt anyone.

Here's a little bit from the Jumeirah's website to explain what you can expect from this new tea:

On arrival, guests will be spiritzed with Eric’s edible perfume of freshly baked pain d’epices – quite literally a taste of things to come and a novel way to bring out the flavours of the tea. The menu begins with a section of savory delights such as: a lemongrass and ginger house-marinated salmon pumpernickel roulade; a roast beef, watercress and creamed horseradish wrap; and an onion brioche with crispy Peking duck, spring onion and cucumber. Then, to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth, a selection of pastries, cakes and desserts that combine elegant and subtle flavours to delicious effect. From a wild strawberry cone pop topped with strawberry cheesecake popcorn to dark chocolate cannelloni filled with tarte tatin mousse topped with pecan smoked mini apple, the FUSION afternoon tea is a decadent and memorable experience. With a remarkable attention to detail, Eric fills his honey roast apricot tart with precious saffron mousseline cream, and tops his wild roses nectar and fresh raspberries with lychee pearls and a Provencal fig coulis. 

Doesn't it sound fabulous? We can't wait to try it for ourselves - the wild Strawberry Cone Pop sounds AMAZING!

- If you go let us know what you think, we'd love to hear your thoughts!


Laura and Caroline

The FUSION Afternoon Tea by Eric Lanlard will be available at Chinoiserie from Friday 22 February and costs £40 per person or £50 per person with a glass of champagne, excluding service charge. To book, visit www.jumeirahcarltontower.com or call +44 (0)20 7858 7181