REVIEW: NEW SECRET GARDEN CHILDREN’S AFTERNOON TEA AT DALLOWAY TERRACE

36 minutes ago
2 min read

The secret key the the perfect children’s tea

Dalloway Terrace is famous for its Edenic, flower-festooned oasis, so it’s fitting that they have launched a Secret Garden-themed children's afternoon tea, which is straight out of a storybook.

We head away from the noise and crowds of Tottenham Court Road, into this fragrant and luxurious oasis, perched at the entrance of the achingly chic, Bloomsbury Hotel.

White roses, carnations and blue delphinium burst from the lush, leafy walls, beneath the black and white striped awning, putting the blooms into Bloomsbury.

The velvet green and teal cushions are immaculately chopped, and not a plate or napkin is out of place on the polished marble tables.

My children receive beautiful pencil sets and themed activity books on arrival, while they sip thick hot chocolates - and I enjoy a chilled glass of Champagne.

A tier of bumble bee-decorated Emma Bridgewater plates arrive, heaving with edible chocolate flower pots, complete with flowers; a gold dusted shortbread key to the garden and immaculate Mary’s Victoria Sandwiches.

There are also crudités and soft, white crustless finger sandwiches filled with egg mayonnaise, honey roast ham, and cucumber.

They enjoy ladling thick, sticky Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam onto their steaming, freshly baked sultana and vanilla scones.

The afternoon tea and surroundings are a huge hit with the children, even our picky eater. My son enjoys the chocolate pot so much, he looks like he’s been digging up the Secret Garden using only his lips.

I work my way through the adult’s tea, with a sweet tier almost too pretty to eat, which includes a heather honey cake, topped with chocolate honeycomb; a rich and fruity juniper and blackberry eclair; a perfect chocolate Madeleine; sweet and juicy peach and tikka tart and a zesty raspberry and lemon mousse.

The grown up savouries are also a hit, with a poached salmon tart, devilled egg mayonnaise brioche; chicken lovage pesto on sun-dried tomato pain de pie, and marinated cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwich.

Dalloway Terrace holds the key to the perfect afternoon tea, so hurry down to their picturesque garden to be in on the secret.