Review: The Orchard Room's new afternoon tea is fit for a Queen

Taking tea is a favoured pastime here in London, with hotels and restaurants across the city offering delightful afternoon tea options.

So in a crowded market, how do you ensure your tea is the talk of the ‘ton? Easy, enlist the help of a royal baker.

The Orchard Room’s new InfiniTEA at the Conrad St James features exquisite cakes by legendary baker Fiona Cairns and plenty of free-flowing Bollinger Champagne.

Known for crafting the Royal Wedding cake for the Prince and Princess of Cambridge, Cairns has created a bespoke collection of beautifully decorated bakes for the occasion.

Served in the elegant, glass-roofed Orchard Room, the tea includes lemon curd-filled fondant fancies topped with sugar flowers, miniature Victoria sponges with vanilla Chantilly cream and strawberry jam, and orange blossom and honey cakes adorned with edible 24-carat gold leaf - fit for a Queen!

To start, guests are treated to a divine selection of finger sandwiches with fillings that include Coronation chicken (very regal), pastrami and sauerkraut and egg truffle with watercress.

Of course, elevated teatime classics such as cream cheese and cucumber and smoked salmon sandwiches also appear!

Next, you’re treated to a variety of warm scones, in four flavours including Jersey butter, raisin, blueberry lemon and dark chocolate Stracciatella.

Though they are small, these scones pack a mighty punch when covered in lashings of lustrous clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam or thick lemon curd (which is so good, you’ll be tempted to lick the spoon!)

Of course, the cakes are the star of the show - they are undeniably pretty to look at but even better to eat. This heavenly selection takes The Orchard Room’s afternoon tea from pleasant to next-level.

The lemon French fancy was sticky and sweet - far removed from the shop-bought ones, you’ve come to know. The Victoria sponge was light, fluffy and decadent with Chantilly cream, while the honey cake was dense with a slightly savoury edge.

I found the dark chocolate and sour cherry cake erring on the side of too rich, but my dining companion lapped it up, so I think that’s a matter of personal taste.

Set in the gorgeous, feminine, and soft surroundings of The Orchard Room. this afternoon tea is a flawless example of luxurious dining out in London.

The staff were friendly, sociable and happy to have a chat; they were attentive and knowledgeable about the vast selection of teas on offer (we opted for the Orchard Blend and Lemon Verbena, which were nothing short of lovely).

The Champagne was free-flowing and plentiful; there wasn’t a moment when my glass was half empty the entire time.

But the proof is in the pudding, with epic sandwiches (hello Coronation chicken), delicate cakes and fluffy scones that are so good you’ll be wanting to ditch your job and marry a Prince.

It’s easy to understand why Will and Kate picked Fiona to make their wedding cake - and this afternoon tea is a must-visit for royal fans in London.

Champagne afternoon tea is £105 per person. It’s expensive but it’s also an experience you won’t forget. Book yours here.

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