Heading to Afternoon tea at the Dorchester in just over an hour with Z and SYO. Christophe Michalak, pastry world-champion and Head Pastry Chef at The Dorchester’s sister property Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris, is there till the end of the day to showcase his talents.

On offer are ‘My Little Boat’, a chocolate sail on an apricot compote and creamy caramel boat; ‘Power Flower’, a ‘financier’ (ha) sponge cake covered with strawberry Bavarian cream, strawberry coulis and lychee Chantilly cream.

The French Collection Afternoon Tea
£45.00

A glass of The Dochester Rosé Champagne
***
A selection of finger sandwiches:
Cucumber with cream cheese on caraway seed bread
Egg mayonnaise with shiso cress on white bread
Chicken with wholegrain mustard mayonnaise on basil bread
Smoked salmon on granary bread
***
Warm raisin and plain scones from our bakery
served with homemade strawberry jam, a seasonal jam
and Devonshire clotted cream
***
French Pastries by Christophe Michalak
***
Tea or coffee

The million dollar question is will it be able to top the lofty heights of tea sipping excellence set by the Berkeley. I shall report back.

Post Tea Report

The setting was amazing, the staff attentive and friendly. The sandwiches and scones were good but standard, my favourite sandwich was the chicken, and seem to be unlimited.

The french pastries by Christophe Michalak were sensational. Each person got a choice of 2 of the possible 8. We picked 6 and played musical plates. I loved the caramel profiterole and the veionise chocolate eclair. They used high quality ingredients and interesting combinations of flavours and textures.

The ‘Dorchester champagne’ was Laurent Perier (win!). The tea list was good but not as extensive as Claridge’s or the Berkeley. We tried:

Paris – lovely black tea with floral and caramel notes.
Bangkok – green tea infused with lemon grass, ginger and coconut (smelled amazing)
Strawberry and Kiwi – fruit tea with great colour, flavour and smell
Lemon Herbal – lemon, lemon zest and lemon grace – fresh and light

I think that with Christophe’s pastries it just about surpassed the Berkeley.. without them I just don’t know so I am going to give them second place as they need this sort of culinary magic every time! Highly recommended.

Current high tea rankings:

1. Berkeley – the food, tea and service
2. The Dorchester – the setting, service and speciality pastry
3. Claridge’s- the cache
4. The Landmark – the attrium