By Annette Kellow
Afternoon tea is one of life’s ultimate treats and often one of mum's favourite occasions. It’s the fine experience of taking tea, the indulgence of beautifully created delights, and of course the animated chatter that goes with it. Mothers can be spoilt any day of the year but it makes it even more special for Mothering Sunday. But where to take them? I sped along Piccadilly to visit the iconic Fortnum and Mason to put their tea to the test.
Part of the fun of going to Fortnum’s is the moment of arrival. Entering is an irresistible display of gourmet pleasures, from chocolates and biscuits to vintage marmalade and seasonal produce. The rows upon rows of macarons and beautifully displayed boxes of champagne are enough to make you salivate but of course my heart lay on the 4th floor Diamond Jubilee Salon where they serve their iconic afternoon tea. As the lift pinged open I was greeted to a tinkling of piano by a player whom looked decidedly French and led to a table laden with exquisite napery. Although the salon has many tables with beautiful views over Piccadilly, they are strategically placed so you are not overhearing anyone’s conversation (or indeed anyone listening to yours!)
I chose the classic from the menu with Fortnum's very own English breakfast tea. An array of sandwiches featuring rare breed hen’s egg with mayonnaise and chives, cucumber with mint cream cheese, glazed ham with English mustard, Fortnum’s smoked salmon and coronation chicken arrived on the prettiest tier. The waiters are awfully good at knowing which are your favourite and promptly bringing out more as I found out when mine was topped up without even asking!
That is the beauty of Fortnum’s, their success lies within their fantastic attention to detail which has seen them reign as the height of sophistication throughout the years. From a small grocery store in Piccadilly in 1707, they have grown into a celebrated emporium with an international reputation for the exclusivity and quality of the products it sells. And besides, who doesn’t love their signature eau de nil colours used on all their branding and boxing!
My guest and I revelled in our afternoon tea but had been informed that there would be more so hesitated on a third round of sandwiches. Freshly baked scones were presented next with clotted cream and Fortnum’s Strawberry Preserve & Lemon Curd.
On the highest tier of our tower was a delicious plate of patisseries designed exclusively for the Mother’s Day weekend. This included a rose choux bun, decadent milk chocolate and hazelnut mousse Gianduja cake, a zesty orange blossom cake, white chocolate and rhubarb swiss roll and a gorgeous passionfruit and vanilla mousse. We were even treated to a glass of champagne!
After all our delicious edibles it was finally time to leave. It was now early Friday evening and rush hour was about to hit. But being in Fortnum and Mason you feel cocooned from the outside world, happily drifting in a cloud of conversation tea and decadence. And after all, Cake is the answer, whatever the question is!
www.fortnumandmason.com
Available 10th & 11th of March and International Mother’s Day 12th & 13th March. Priced at £44 per person. www.fortnumandmason.com
