It all started the last time I was at One Aldywch hotel having lunch at Indigo, when I spotted a tray of mouth-watering treats being taken to a table in the bar area below.  What was that? I recall asking the waiter, he told me it was the Charlie & the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea. From that moment I knew I just had to try it…

One Aldwych is a stunning hotel nuzzled in the busy streets of London, a stones throw away from Covent Garden and close to Somerset House (ideal for London Fashion Week).

I’d been staying elsewhere the night before, so had to cart my suitcase along with me. Immediately the concierge whisked it away from me and escorted me to the dining area to be greeted by the attentive staff.  I suddenly forgot how hot it was dragging the case around London just by sitting one of the hotels comfy sofas.

My friend and I love a bit of afternoon tea it’s always such a treat.  On our last trip to London we went to Harvey Nicholls for afternoon tea, however after seeing the Charlie & Chocolate Factory afternoon tea I knew it was going to be like nothing else we’d had before.

The friendly staff came over and gave us the menus to highlight what we could look forward to having.  We were next asked if we’d prefer a glass of champagne or the signature Charlie & the Chocolate Factory cocktail, after seeing the cocktails before I knew it had to be that….the red liquid cocktail arrived in a clear tea pot that had smoke (dry ice) escaping out of it.  Honestly it looked absolutely spectacular, so much so that others who had come in for the special afternoon tea ordered it as well.  You couldn’t not!

Jodes has a gluten free diet so when we requested one afternoon tea to be gluten free, I was interested to see if it was much different to the standard selection.

Both of us were really impressed with how (even though they didn’t always look the same) close the gluten free was for taste. I was very pleased to know that they had catered to every need.

Sweet

Golden chocolate egg filled with vanilla cheesecake and
mango
Chocolate caramel milk
Eton mess
Homemade candyfloss
Lime, coconut and white chocolate pops
Blueberry brioche
Cocoa bean financier
Warm scones served with summer berry jam, apple and meadowsweet
compote, Devonshire clotted cream

Sandwiches and
Savoury

Smoked salmon and herb crème fraîche
Egg mayonnaise with watercress
Roast beef and grain mustard mayonnaise
Heritage tomato tart
Leek and Stilton quiche

Tea Selection

Jewelled Apple
The finest black tea with wild strawberry leaves, caramel and real
apple pieces… it will transport you back to the days of sticky,
crunchy toffee apples.

Smooth Caramel
Caramel chunks and a hint of vanilla make this tea ideal for
anyone with a sweet tooth.

Queen of Berries
This fruity black tea is bursting with ripe raspberries,
strawberries and blackcurrants.

Organic Lavender Grey
Blended with organic lavender from Provence, this organic Earl
Grey is both fragrant and soothing.

Cocktail Charlie

Dalmore whisky mixed with Grand Marnier Cherry, chocolate
bitters, grapefruit juice and cherry syrup. Topped with
Champagne.
– See more at: http://www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/afternoon-tea-menu/afternoon-tea-menu#sthash.GUb8a4d9.dpuf

Sweet

Golden chocolate egg filled with vanilla cheesecake and
mango
Chocolate caramel milk
Eton mess
Homemade candyfloss
Lime, coconut and white chocolate pops
Blueberry brioche
Cocoa bean financier
Warm scones served with summer berry jam, apple and meadowsweet
compote, Devonshire clotted cream

Sandwiches and
Savoury

Smoked salmon and herb crème fraîche
Egg mayonnaise with watercress
Roast beef and grain mustard mayonnaise
Heritage tomato tart
Leek and Stilton quiche

Tea Selection

Jewelled Apple
The finest black tea with wild strawberry leaves, caramel and real
apple pieces… it will transport you back to the days of sticky,
crunchy toffee apples.

Smooth Caramel
Caramel chunks and a hint of vanilla make this tea ideal for
anyone with a sweet tooth.

Queen of Berries
This fruity black tea is bursting with ripe raspberries,
strawberries and blackcurrants.

Organic Lavender Grey
Blended with organic lavender from Provence, this organic Earl
Grey is both fragrant and soothing.

Cocktail Charlie

Dalmore whisky mixed with Grand Marnier Cherry, chocolate
bitters, grapefruit juice and cherry syrup. Topped with
Champagne.
– See more at: http://www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/afternoon-tea-menu/afternoon-tea-menu#sthash.GUb8a4d9.dpuf

Sweet

Golden
chocolate egg filled with vanilla cheesecake and mango
Chocolate caramel milk
Eton mess
Homemade candyfloss
Lime, coconut and white chocolate pops
Blueberry brioche
Cocoa bean financier
Warm scones served with summer berry jam, apple and meadowsweet compote,
Devonshire clotted cream

Sandwiches
and Savoury

Smoked
salmon and herb crème fraîche
Egg mayonnaise with watercress
Roast beef and grain mustard mayonnaise
Heritage tomato tart
Leek and Stilton quiche

Tea
Selection (all from Covent Gardens Tea Palace)

Jewelled
Apple

Smooth
Caramel

Queen of
Berries

Organic
Lavender Grey

Cocktail
Charlie

Dalmore
whisky mixed with Grand Marnier Cherry, chocolate bitters, grapefruit juice and
cherry syrup. Topped with Champagne.

I don’t really know what my favourite thing to eat was, but I’m a sucker for a creme egg so the golden chocolate vanilla cheesecake egg was top of the list.  To be honest even doing this write up is making my mouth water!

I’d certainly say this is one of the best afternoon teas I’ve ever had the pleasure of indulging in.  The only thing I would say is that even though the cocktail is fun selecting the champagne may compliment it better. Having the cocktail and all the sweet goodness is quite a lot going on.

A perfect birthday treat, hen do pit stop or even a pre theatre nibble, this is definitely something to do for a special occasion.  The creative flare of the One Aldwych chefs is exactly what I expected and much more.  They have developed such a menu that has honestly going to be something that will be remembered… the bar has definitely been raised for future afternoon teas.

Find out more about a Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea – £34.50 per person
Afternoon tea with a glass of Lallier Grande
Réserve Champagne or a smoking Cocktail Charlie – £45.00 per
person – See more at: http://www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea#sthash.jR1CcRSU.dpuf

Afternoon tea – £34.50 per person

Afternoon tea with a smoking Charlie & the Chocolate Factory cocktail or glass of Lallier Grande Réserve Champagne – £45.00 per person

Lallier Grande
Réserve Champagne

Annie

xoxo