The capital

The Capital Hotel

Served daily 2.30pm–5.30pm

Located a stone’s throw from Harrods, five-star, family-run The Capital Hotel has scooped plenty of awards, but the Tea Guild’s Award of Excellence for Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 grabbed our attention.

The new classic British tea menu has been created by Nathan Outlaw (whose eponymous restaurant in Cornwall boasts two Michelin stars) and his head chef Pete Biggs. Simple sandwiches, made using sustainably sourced fish and meat, include smoked salmon and watercress on wholemeal bread and Cornish cracker cheddar and pickled shallot on white bread. Solicitous service accommodated our off-the-menu requests (vegetarian sandwiches for me; wholemeal bread all round) with ease. My friend, who admits to having enjoyed plenty of afternoon teas, revealed she would have perhaps enjoyed a little more variety or more filling in her sandwiches. The freshly baked sweet treats – including homemade eccles cakes; saffron and custard tarts; rhubarb and ginger trifle; a choice of plain or fruit scones served with the hotel’s homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream – were made using top-notch ingredients. The scones were perfectly light and fluffy and the other treats were delicate rather than cloying.

The tea list would satisfy any aficionado. We enjoyed constantly refilled pots of a beautiful looking and subtle whole rose bud tea; an elegant silver needle white tea (using the first spring buds of the Da-Bai plant) and jasmine pearls (hand rolled using the long downy leaves from the first spring picking, scented with fresh jasmine flowers). There’s also a good list of champagnes, wines and cocktails available.

Our tea took place in the intimate Sitting Room with large windows overlooking Basil Street – its decor is a chic mix of warm plum tones, striking prints and soft textures, while a piano soundtrack complemented the elegant, understated experience. The Capital’s afternoon tea may not have the wow factor of some other London hotel teas, but neither did it leave me feeling a little icky, as other cake experiences often have. Rather, I enjoyed a genuine and quintessentially English tradition.

£25 per person (speciality teas are extra) or £40 per person with a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

The Capital Hotel, 22–24 Basil Street, London, SW3; www.capitalhotel.co.uk; 020 7591 1202

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