Start the year as you mean to go on, with good food and good friends! That’s what I’ve been doing anyway. On my first couple days back in the UK, I headed to our friend Emma and Rich’s house and Emma had the best idea, a travel themed afternoon tea at St. Pancras, I enthusiastically said sign me up!
My lovely partner in crime Emma, Adventures of a London Kiwi, is well known for her love of Afternoon Teas, and tends to scout out the best ones in London. She said she’d been eyeing up Searcys’ travel themed one for a while, so I was happy to fill the void of companion.
It sweetened the deal that it was on offer from it’s usual £33, which I still think is a steal for this quality of afternoon tea. We even had a button to press for champagne, which we didn’t even need to use as the wait staff was so attentive and on the ball. The heater buttons under the seats however were pushed many times to keep warm on the concourse in St. Pancras. The gorgeous blankets provided also went a ways to keeping us toasty and cosy in our booth.
Searcys ‘The Art of Travel’ afternoon tea is available in the Champagne Bar, and comes presented in the cutest suitcase with a luggage tag explaining all the food and tea options. As it’s travel themed, everything on offer plays on treats found in certain European cities.
You’re also given menus before hand and Emma and I chose different teas, and decided since we were treating ourselves ordered a glass of bubbly each as well. I was coming off holiday mode so went a bit full on with a concoction of peach and gold flakes.
First up was the savouries, with some of the best tasting sandwiches I’ve had for afternoon tea. York ham and mustard on rye bread, prawn and crab cocktail on a roll, smoked salmon on a crumpet, egg mayonnaise (with the addition of capers!) and our surprise favourite the quinoa, pomegranate and spiced avocado wrap. The dressing on this wrap, I’d drink it.
The sweets were no less disappointing; scones with jam and clotted cream, peach and raspberry macaron, opera gateaux, passionfruit swiss meringue pie, belgian white chocolate mousse, and a battenburg.
Wrapped up warm with cocktails in hand as the light faded, watching the trains come in and out of the station, Searcys Champagne Bar really is the best setting for a travel themed afternoon tea.
The Art of Travel afternoon tea is available Monday-Saturday 3-5pm until the 30th of November 2020. If you find yourself with a couple hours to spare along your travels, it’s well worth a visit.
