The Blurb
Biscuiteers made their fortune harnessing not one but two of the great human weaknesses; refined sugar and bespoke personalised gifts. There’s a certain glamour to a personalised item isn’t there? Perhaps it makes you think of Elton John in his monogrammed Versace robe, or maybe it reminds you of 90s school trips searching that museum gift shop for an elusive keychain with your name on it.
In 2007, husband and wife team Harriet Hastings and Stevie Congdon made it their mission to shake up the personalisation market with their new business, Biscuiteers. The online gifting retailer offered not just your name immortalised in iced sable biscuit, but your face, your cat’s face, your business logo, anything you like really.
Fast forward to 2022 and the biscuit-making duo now have outposts in Notting Hill and Belgravia. Their decorating parties are big business and their pretty black and white shops are a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. This winter, they’re launching a brand new Christmas edition of their Afternoon Tea, priced at £48 per person, with the option to add a glass of their house prosecco or a biscuit decorating session.
The Food
The scones were warm from the oven, and the finger sandwiches, to quote Prue Leith, ‘neat as a pin’. The turkey and cranberry brioche was delicious, although it was a little cold (and whilst easily fixable, I’m afraid I was too greedy to wait for it to warm up). The real showstoppers were the patisserie. My highlight was the Mont Blanc Tart; a snowy drift of chestnut cream sat atop a mountain of Italian meringue, frangipane and blackcurrant jam. An honourable mention must go to the mandarin and chocolate choux bun, which was a chocolate orange-flavoured eclair in miniature, yum.
I find that weekday drinking is best enjoyed in summer months, so, to drink, I went for a slightly less festive Earl Grey with oat milk – although they do have their own Biscuiteers Prosecco Superiore, that I’d have tried had it not been a Wednesday at two o’clock.
The Style
The decor is unapologetically cutesy with baby blue and pink ‘Biscuiteers’ branded wallpaper. We went to the Notting Hill branch, which is pretty narrow, so it was a bit like going for tea in Polly Pocket’s kitchen.
The Crowd
Tourists. People with kids. Tourists with kids. You get the sense that this is the sort of place you might dash in to pick up a last-minute gift if you live nearby. I took my mum and we visited on a lovely winter afternoon whilst exploring Portobello.
The Verdict
Ordinarily, I’m not an afternoon tea person, but it was impossible not to be charmed by this pretty little tea shop and its delightful Christmas-inspired offerings.
The Details
At £48.00 per head, it’s definitely on the pricier side, but it’s Christmas… so I urge you to treat yourself.
194 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2ES
www.biscuiteers.com
