Ahh the Langham – my second home. OK it’s not really, but if I could pick a hotel I absolutely adore then this is it. I work only a stones throw away and so I spend a lot of time here, normally over a meeting or morning coffee – though sadly I’ve still not stayed overnight. This time around however I wasn’t visiting for a meeting, but instead my own personal indulgence for a Saturday afternoon tea. Only in the past 12 months have I really given afternoon tea a spot as one of my culinary favourites and have since developed an unhealthy obsession with the whole experience and has led me to discovering some of London’s best pastry chefs.
Head pastry chef here at The Langham is the multi-talented, Cherish Finden. Cherish is the queen when talking of pastry chefs. She’s won countless awards, created masterpieces for the likes of Lady Gaga and even designed a huge edible ‘Langham Express’ train which paved the entrance of this hotel one festive month and took over five months to create. It was a masterpiece. Now the afternoon tea is carrying miniature masterpieces, encompassed within a gorgeous and glamorous setting. The Palm Court oozes luxury, decadence and the service is world-class. The staff here make you feel incredibly relaxed – there’s zero pretence and not an ounce of stuffiness.
We chose to experience The Wedgwood Afternoon Tea, paying homage to the fine china experts, featuring the brands recognisable motif and utilising their gorgeous crockery to plate everything. An amuse bouche came in the form of a lemon posset – one of my all time favourite desserts and it didn’t disappoint. Sweet, tart and tangy all at the same time. House Champagne was the perfect Langham pairing – Laurent-Perrier Brut which is poured directly from magnum, meaning every sip is fresh, buttery and very rich.
Admittedly it was the sandwiches which really won me over here. Presented on a silver tray to our table and given the option of either just one, or all. Easily some of the best sandwiches in London and featured the likes of lightly curried prawn in a glazed bun, a smoked salon, avocado and wasabi eclair or my personal favourite – peppered beef pastrami with a red Leicester coleslaw. All the breads were so fresh and bounced back at the touch. Flavours and ingredients were not overly pronounced either, instead they were balanced, delicate and refined – just the way they should be during an afternoon tea. Scones were excellent too, along with a rich strawberry jam and thick clotted cream.
The part we were all waiting for still was the sweet treats, to see just what Cherish and her talented team had in store for us. A duck egg blue cameo sat proudly in the centre above a strawberry and white balsamic Victoria sponge which was lovely and moist. A cinnamon biscuit teapot was my least favourite, but visually it looked perfect. A white chocolate mousse revealed a tropical jelly centre and sat on a dark chocolate sablé – it paired perfectly alongside a Hathaway rose motif, flavoured with English rose and lychee log. The experience was finished off with an incredibly rich Kouglof, 64% chocolate, raspberry and lightly roasted pistachio financier – the perfect ending to an utterly divine afternoon tea.
The Langham London seems to be doing everything right these days. In a city which is going through so many changes, its hotels like this which make London what it is today. They adapt to the ever-growing demands, but still manage to retain age-old traditions and classic touches. With one of the worlds best pastry chefs, an unforgettable afternoon tea and a bar voted the best in the world, the Langham really does have it all – and under one very pretty roof.
9/10
