AN AFTERNOON DATE

As my husband is in L.A as we speak for Valentine´s Weekend, we planned an afternoon date up in town last weekend, with a stroll through the streets of Mayfair, ending up with afternoon tea at The Lanesborough, one of London´s most iconic – and beautiful hotels.

The weekend started off with getting royally spoilt with a certain dream bag from Saint Laurent that I´ve been lusting after ever since it came out…

Suede, fringes and the ideal cross body bag I´ve been after for so long! Perfection. 

Although it was a very windy day, it was quite mild, so I dared it out in my favourite faux leather skinnies (best buy, ever), my trusted leather loafers and new mohair jumper dress.

Zara Pants (similar here)
Hobbs Loafers (similar here)
M&S Jumper Dress
Iris & Ink Shearling Gilet
Saint Laurent Bag 

The Lanesborough was a welcoming treat after nearly being blown away walking through Hyde Park! The hotel is everything a traditional, London hotel is about. Classic, timeless, decadent, with world class service.

We quickly settled in at Céleste – their in-house restaurant – which was sight for sore eyes, with the most incredible domed glass roof and sparkly chandeliers. There was even a pianist during our seating. I mean, everything a cheesy Valentine´s date should be about.

These chandeliers though. Major interior envy.

Whilst sipping on fresh mint tea and champagne (the perfect combination, by the way), we took our time looking through the menu.

Although the hotel is quintessentially British – the menu at Céleste, headed up by Parisian Florian Favario – is a combination of local ingredients inspired by French cuisine. Food heaven, basically.

There were three choices of Afternoon Tea – the two that caught our eyes was the Tea Prestige – which included that added extra, compared to the more traditional one; with truffle, caviar and champagne.  I was also really impressed that they offered a Vegetarian and Gluten Free Menu – which sounded equally as delicious (which can too often be a rarity when it comes to GF choices).

Sam opted for the Tea Prestige and I combined the Tea Prestige with the vegetarian option; going for all the cakes and pastries on the Tea Prestige (I mean, it´s afternoon tea, after all), but swapping the majority of the sandwiches with the veggie ones.

And as with any true 5 star hotel, they could not have been more accommodating.

Royal smoked salmon with caviar and edible gold flakes…!

The excitement was real as soon as the three-tired food stand arrived. I don´t have afternoon tea a lot, so this was a real treat.

And I might be controversial to say it´s definitely the best one I´ve had so far.

The sandwiches were DELICIOUS. I loved the flavours with the light and fluffy bread. Sam approved too, and in record speed, we gulped them all down (we were hungry!).

The tea and champagne kept coming, and we kept eating (and eating). Half way through they offered us a top-up, but we politely (and surprisingly) declined. There was a lot of food.

The french pastries at the top were delicious and the cakes were pretty tasty too. Although after eating half, we stopped up to save some room for what afternoon tea is all about. The SCONES.

Fluffy, light and with two choice of plain or with currants (I preffered the latter). And although I´m slightly dairy sensitive, mine were all topped with lathers of clotted cream and strawberry jam… I mean, if you´re going to have scones – do it properly!

The (obligatory), cheesy shot.

Over two hours later, we were done. And wisely enough decided to go for a long walk after the royal feast!

The perfect afternoon date, at the perfect location.

Book your afternoon tea The Lanesborough here, and see the full menu here.