Sun-day means Fun-day; London in the Sun

The temperatures soared in London and a smile has been firmly cemented on my face. 

There's something about the Capital City when sunshine's beating down on it's overly crowded pavements, reflecting on the glass laden buildings of The City and heating up that wonderment of a tin can that zips us around the city underground [OK that part's not so great].

When the sun is blazing there's only one accessory that you can't leave home without- your bestfriend. So that's exactly what I did- I grabbed my partner in all things criminal and fabulous and headed down to start the day at The Reform Social & Grill in Marylebone to test out their much talked about Gentlemen's Afternoon Tea [albeit very VERY early afternoon at this point].

A more boy friendly of this traditionally delicate tradition- I was intrigued as to what the menu would be...

The Savouries were delicious. From Left to right; a steak and snail open sandwich, fish fingers on a bed of mushy peas and the gloriously simple but delicious- sausage roll. [We may or may not have ordered 3 rounds of these]

The Sweet platter included Lemon pound cake, Braeburn Apple turnovers, Norfolk Treacle Tart, Baked Jam Rolly Polly [not only fun to say but delicious to eat], Bananas & Custard and a selection of Traditional fruit scones. 

Now the beverages 

...are unlimited which I warn you- are deadly [good]. Don't let the 'Afternoon Tea' label of this afternoon fool you- we did not see a drop of tea the entire afternoon. 

Fuelled by multiple glasses of champagne, we waltzed out on to the sun blazened streets to Ayoush- our next destination for a touch of Shisha in the Sun...

I love London in the Summertime- there truly is no better place... 

Just Beautiful! 

What's your favourite place in the city when the Sun's shining?

A Tea of Two Cities

On one of my first trips to Paris, I had the pleasure of meeting, 5 times in the space of 5 days, Ladurée .

Staring wide eyed  and open mouthed at the rows and rows of round discs that looked so delectably airy and spanned the entire spectrum of colour, I was 7 how many colours would I have encountered at this stage anyway?!, I was captivated.

A different time and an entirely city later, Ladurée still stands as one of my favourite tea houses in London.  Lets face it- it’s an institution!

Bathed in Parisian glamour, the front half of Ladurée Harrods is seamlessly carved out of a Princess wedding dream. Hues of white, powder pink and mint green swim across the furnishings, and encapsulate you in a regal state of mind that transports you back to the times of Marie Antoinette.

“Let them eat cake?” If you insist Marie.

Needless to say, I was more than a little excited to see the over indulgent list of Afternoon Tea Menu’s. Pages littered with sugary treats whose titles although unpalatable, my French is a little rusty, but key buzzwords such as “Chocolate” and “Brioche” sent my imagination reeling.

The concept is simple; you choose 2 finger sandwiches, 2 Mini Pastries, 2 Full Pastries, a selection of 2 flavoured macaroons and then choose whether you would like to be rolled or shimmied out through the door frame (totally kidding- but it’s more than enough food for one individual!) Its accompanied by a Laduree Coffee, Laduree Tea or hot chocolate. If given the chance, definitely go for the Thé au Caramel- who knew tea could be so tasty!

Although Ladurée Harrods was filled to beyond capacity, I was pleasantly surprised at the speed at which the waiters brought over our food- partly because we were quite visibly drooling over our neighbouring tables selection.

A tower so beautiful arrived, decorated with the finest patisserie delights that a girl could ask for!

My favourites were the Ladurée Plaisir Sucré, a Hazelnut meringue sandwich cake with crushed hazelnuts and praline filled with cream and milk chocolate, and the Ispahan, a rose flavored macaroon biscuit filled with fresh rose petal cream, raspberries and lychees. (Both taste just as beautiful as they sound).

After, quite literally, breathing in the contents of the tower- we thought it wise to order a box of Salted Caramel Macaroons to go and trotted off for a day of mindless wandering around Harrods- oh the joy!

If you haven’t given it a go, or if you’re from across the pond and planning a trip, Ladurée is well  worth stumbling into on a lazy London Afternoon.

You’ll find them here:

Harrods

87-135 Brompton Rd

Greater London

SW1X 7XL

Just FYI you may have to bare a short wait pre-tea, but it is well worth the wait!