On good authority from Lady Whistledown, a social event not to be missed is coming to the ton this season
Dust off your Regency best, as London’s finest residence, The Lanesborough Partners with Netflix & Shondaland to launch London’s first, exclusive Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea - Bridgerton at The Lanesborough – Afternoon Tea - Available from 25 March 2022
March 2022 – The Lanesborough , London, is delighted to announce the latest in its innovative series of seasonal afternoon teas, inspired by Bridgerton, created in partnership with Netflix and Shondaland. Launching on 25 March 2022, the limitededition tea will pay homage to the Regency era; a time of great revelling and high style, of elegant parties, balls, and grand dinners, with a contemporary twist.
Setting the scene, the Bridgerton Afternoon Tea will take place in The Lanesborough’s richly decorated dining room, naturally illuminated during the day by a domed glass roof while seductively aglow under softly lit chandeliers in the evening. A Regency icon in the capital, beneath the original sky dome there is bas-relief artwork meticulously cast from 250 different mouldings, and Wedgwood china mounted on the walls, evoking a sense of Regency neo-classical grandeur.
Carefully crafted by The Lanesborough’s Head Pastry Chef, Kevin Miller, the menu will pay tribute to the key families in Bridgerton, in addition to ‘Lanesborough House’ as we now know it, built in 1825 in the fashionable classical style by William Wilkins at the highpoint of Regency era and today, London’s quintessential Regency building. Finger sandwiches and brioche sliders will comprise of Coronation chicken, fresh coriander, Clarence court egg mayonnaise, wholegrain mustard, Smoked salmon, horseradish, watercress, Organic cucumber, natural yoghurt, mint, Rare roast beef slider, black pepper mayonnaise, onion seed. To accompany savoury flavours and The Lanesborough’s delectable scones, cream and jam, Miller’s curated cake and sweet treat concept will include five signature highlights, embracing:
- The Queen’s Diamond – dedicated to the star of the season, to celebrate great revelling and high style. An exquisite hand-crafted chocolate blended with honey, green cardamon and white chocolate ganache, displayed in a beautiful jewel coloured ring box, is a nod to Edwina Sharma, this season’s diamond
- The Rake – in honour of Viscount Anthony, The Rake is a cake of distinction - a real big spender - good looking and refined. A dandy white shirt enveloped in a crisp tailored suit with a dashing cream cravat, the delectable cake is a chocolate sable with milk chocolate mousse and a burst of whipped passionfruit curd centre. It is finished in a dark chocolate glaze, chocolate shard collar, and a whipped passionfruit cream Chantilly cravat
- A True Love Match – a British staple inspired by the exquisite Queen Charlotte, A True Love Match is an elegant, largesse classic layered Charlotte sponge cake constructed from a delicious light vanilla sponge, layered by the seasons, with strawberry jam and vanilla twisted cream
- The Lady Whistledown – a nod to Lady Whistledown, the narrator and high society columnist in Bridgerton, this cake is reflective of her ink pot and quill. Inside is a pistachio nut financier and pistachio mousse, coated in milk chocolate and cocoa butter
- All is Fair in Love & War – the star of the show sitting atop the cake stand, All is Fair in Love & War celebrates the Bridgerton family and is pale blue in colour, embossed with a bee – the symbol of Bridgerton. The concept roots back to the earliest known origin of the sentiment 'all is fair in love in war', found in poet John Lyly's 1579 novel, Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit. This dessert is to share between two; a rosewater cheesecake with a burst of raspberry jelly in the centre, on a crumble crunch base coated in sprayed-blue white chocolate. The question is, who gets the biggest slice? After all, All is Fair in Love and War…
The Pall Mall Cocktail
Inspired by the original Regency Gin Punch, the essential cocktail that formed part of quotidian social life during the Regency period, The Lanesborough’s Head of Bars, Mickael Perron has created The Pall Mall cocktail; a refreshing recipe combining Hendrick’s gin & Graham Blend No5 white port, balanced with citrus and subtle sweetness. The delectable concoction is served in an elegant high glass teacup, with a tea strainer filled with dried hibiscus flowers to infuse the drink with a pinkish colour. Finally, the cocktail is garnished with a floating lotus flower arrangement – the national flower of India that occupies a unique position in Indian culture – another nod to the Sharmas.
The Pall Mall – Non Alcoholic
Generously presented tropical punch prepared with Atopia Non Alcoholic spirits, Ginger & Rhubarb as well as Hedgerow Berry. Graciously mixed with London Essence roasted pineapple soda, lychee, passion & citrus. Served with Butterfly Pea Flower infusion, for a gracious finish.
Make haste, and secure your booking – it would be quite the scandal to miss it…
The Lanesborough’s Bridgerton Afternoon Tea is priced from £65 per person; from £76pp with The Pal Mall cocktail; or from £80pp with a glass of House Champagne. Children’s afternoon tea menu from £35pp for children under 12.
For more information and to book, visit lanesborough.com/afternoontea or call +44 (0)20 7259 5599. Prior reservation is absolutely essential to avoid grievous disappointment and possible societal embarrassment
