A Taittinger Champagne Flight Afternoon Tea at The Arch Hotel in Marble Arch

There’s a new afternoon tea in town and it’s paired with one of my favourite things in the world – Champagne! Boutique hotel The Arch in Marble Arch, last month started serving their new Champagne Flight Afternoon Tea and it’s utterly fabulous. Available from 12 noon until 7pm (handy for those stuck in the office), this Champagne fuelled tea comes with three glasses of Taittinger served in the hotel’s Salon de Champagne or on Saturdays the Martini Library. The afternoon tea has been created by Head Pastry Chef Maria Kargbo who has kept it very British which I love. Classic sandwich offerings, uncomplicated cakes and fluffy scones. It’s rather a bargain too if you ask me.

We started our afternoon by tucking into our first glass of Champagne. Taittinger Brut Reserve. Which of course was delicious. Sandwiches consisted of some of my favourites and all were lovely, though a little on the chilled side but they quickly warmed up. English cheddar with apple and raisin chutney on sun blushed tomato bread. Egg mayonnaise on white bread. Honey roast ham with piccalilli on malted granary and smoked salmon with lemon butter and cracked black pepper on buckwheat bellinis.

My favourite of the sandwiches was the coronation chicken with baby gem and coriander cress served on sourdough. The topping was juicy, had lots of flavour and was very well seasoned. I should probably apologise for my photos at this point too but it was rather dark and late in the evening.

Our second glass of Champagne was a Taittinger Prestige Rose which paired absolutely perfectly with our scones, particularly the sweetness of the jams. A choice of both plain and fruit scones, each was oh-so fluffy and served warm, though not by the time we tucked into them so perhaps they could think about serving them part way through the afternoon tea. The clotted cream was devilishly thick and the strawberry jam was particularly good.

Our third glass of Champagne and my favourite part of any afternoon tea arrived – the sweet treats. The Champagne, this time a Taittinger Nocturne (sweeter sec champagne) didn’t quite last long enough for a photo but the selection of cakes & pastries did. Little fruit tarts, rich dark berry sponge slices, creamy cheese cakes, chocolate truffle covered biscuits and mini fruity trifle style pots. All very lovely and homely in style which added a nice touch of nostalgia.

I really love The Arch Hotel and so coming back for their latest afternoon tea was a real treat. Food wise it’s not particularly flashy or imaginatively crafted, but it’s full of tradition meaning there’s more time to enjoy those glasses of champagne and conversation with friends or family. It’s rather well priced too at just £85 for two people including the Champagne flight, all the food you see here and a lovely selection of loose leaf teas and coffee. What’s not to love?

For more information or to book then visit this link HERE

NB: Our meal was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.