Cancel your brunch plans, it’s all about Afternoon Tea. Whilst it’s always been an English tradition, Afternoon Tea is making a modern-day resurgence. And what’s not to love? Two to three hours spent in a refuge of relaxed elegance, tasting light teas that perfectly complement plate upon plate of finger-food delights. This timeless experience goes far beyond a dish of poached eggs and pancakes. Afternoon Tea is the perfect meal to mark a special event as well as to simply enjoy with friends. From baby showers to long overdue catch-ups, it caters to all occasions. However, the question remains, where is the best place to experience an afternoon of sipping, savouring, and relishing in great company? Look no further than Pan Pacific London‘s Summer Garden Afternoon Tea to tantalise your taste buds in a stylish environment, all whilst exploring the finest teas from the Rare Tea Company.
As mentioned, Afternoon Tea has made a return to our weekend plans, although some might argue that it never left. However, many are seeking experiences that take a spin on old traditions to bring them up-to-date with our modern-day, expanded palettes (not to mention our insatiable desire to try new things). This is what makes Pan Pacific’s Summer Garden Afternoon Tea a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Along with their traditional, seasonal menu of delicious scones, light sandwiches, and indulgent desserts, they also offer a menu with a Singaporean twist, not found anywhere else in London.
Their Kopi Tiam menu celebrates bao, dim sum, and choux – is it any surprise that they are trending as one of the best places for Afternoon Tea in London? What’s more, they also offer entirely gluten-free and vegan menus comprised of Singaporean-inspired summer rolls as well as traditional hand-made pastries and scones.
Exquisitely complementing each dish is, of course, an extensive list of luxury teas from the Rare Tea Company. What makes this experience a truly special one is the outstanding expertise of the staff. Our dedicated Tea Connoisseur could describe in detail the notes and aromas of each tea, helping us choose the perfect fit for our taste.
We would recommend having a perusal through the white tea collection, known for its anti-oxidising benefits and soft flavours. After much deliberation, we opted for the First Flush Himalayan White, a white tea from Shizuoka, Japan. This beautifully light tea has notes of mango, vanilla, and elderflower, and was the perfect refreshment in between courses.
Also included in this experience is the option to cool down with a glass of world-renowned sparkling wine, straight from the British vineyards.
This proved to be the perfect aperitif before being served our first course, a selection of summer rolls and traditional sandwiches. After some time to digest, savouring the views across the Plaza, we were presented with a platter of scones accompanied with a mouth-watering spread of cream cheeses and homemade preserves. A refreshing apple and elderflower ice lollies came next, and finally, the delicious hand-made pastries that tasted just as good as they looked.
Needless to say, an afternoon spent at Pan Pacific’s Orchid Lounge is an unforgettable one. The lounge was filled with a cheerful, graceful atmosphere, with each table occupied by couples enjoying an afternoon together as well as those marking birthday celebrations in sophisticated style. Our word of advice? Make sure you book in advance! It was apparent that whether you’re spending quality time with your nearest and dearest or sharing a special occasion with friends, this bright, airy, and elegant lounge is the place to do it. From aromatic teas to indulgent pastries, each course of Pan Pacific’s afternoon tea perfectly complements the other for a truly unique dining experience. Whether you opt for the Kopi Tiam or the Traditional Delights, make sure you arrive hungry – these delightful dishes are enough to leave you satisfied well until the evening.
The Summer Garden Afternoon Tea at The Orchid Lounge is available from 19th July-31st October between 12PM-4.30PM Thursday – Monday, priced at £62pp, or £72pp including a glass of Nyetimber sparkling wine.
To book or for further information, please visit: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-london/dining/the-orchid-lounge.html
