The other week our Lady in London, Charlotte Vowden, visited Gordon Ramsay's York & Albany for an afternoon of Gin and Cake - lush!
Without guidance you’d probably overlook The York & Albany in Camden for high tea. The trendy townhouse restaurant is part of Gordon Ramsay’s portfolio and is known for its comforting starters and meaty mains. This summer though, a £24 Gin T menu drew a friend and I through its doors.
We had planned a week-night quickie but after the first sip of Earl Grey & Grapefruit Sour cocktail, served in a large glass tea pot, we decided clock-watching was off the cards and a mid-week hangover most likely.
Top Tier |
Championed by Tanqueray Gin, mother’s ruin didn’t only feature in the drinks. The alcohol content in the gin & juniper cured salmon, which we demolished at lightening speed, did little to soak up the units so we made short work of the coriander flatbread and mouthwatering angelica root rubbed pork belly with apple slaw too.
Working systematically from bottom to top of the stand we moved onto the scones which had the perfect dark-gold outer crust and light-gold inner crumb, Splendid naked but even better with the addition of sweet jam and a slightly sour dollop of clotted cream.
Working systematically from bottom to top of the stand we moved onto the scones which had the perfect dark-gold outer crust and light-gold inner crumb, Splendid naked but even better with the addition of sweet jam and a slightly sour dollop of clotted cream.
Cocktails |
A little squiggly around the edges by pudding and with appetites already satisfied, we agreed to sod the diet and attack the sweets. First, the elderflower panna cotta with a hot pink Tanqueray No.TEN jelly, smooth and delicious. Second, liquourice macaroons swollen with lime ganache, halloween-esque in appearance with a good crunch and chewy on the inside. Third and finally, the Tanqueray No.TEN & tonic chocolates. It was a best saved until last bit of luck - the tiny, cocoa dusted mouthfuls of squidgy chocolate wonderfulness made us ooh, ahh and contemplate asking for seconds.
It was only the espresso martinis which arrived at the table before we’d registered ordering them that stopped us in our gluttonous tracks.
Afternoon tea at The York and Albany is £24 per person, or £14 for a tea pot to share. More information and bookings HERE.
It was only the espresso martinis which arrived at the table before we’d registered ordering them that stopped us in our gluttonous tracks.
Afternoon tea at The York and Albany is £24 per person, or £14 for a tea pot to share. More information and bookings HERE.
Charlotte Vowden is a travel & lifestyle journalist who is as happy in the mountains as she is sipping champagne and indulging on cake. Writing for The Sunday Times and other national publications keeps her busy but she’s always looking for her next adventure or afternoon tea destination.
Twitter: @charlottevowden