London. Afternoon tea at Browns

In a city where almost every establishment provides afternoon tea, it is fierce competition between places one should, could, and would enjoy tea that is not just tea but a sacred trip into the past and present. Reading the menus and trying to decide which one out of hundreds of adventures to embark on is already an adventure, even without starting it in real life. It is a hard decision to make when looking for perfection on every level, meaning from the moment you enter until you leave.

I had tens of options, but many of them (with Christmas around the corner) were booked solid. So, we ended up (thanks to Karen Barnes) at The Browns hotel. Arriving 30 minutes late, we hoped to be seated, and we were. Seated by the window table in the Drawing Room, we went with the flow, as one should do when experiencing afternoon tea, especially for the first time. My glass of champagne and their sparkling tea arrived while we read all the glorious tea choices - from black to green, white, and red. As was with choosing where to have afternoon tea, the tea competition was also fierce. Minutes later, with a pianist playing Christmas songs, the tiers of sandwiches arrived followed by my black vanilla tea, Paula's jasmine, and Emily's rose tea. When asked if I should pour the tea myself, the waiter said, “Mm, you are here to enjoy, so let me do the work.” And I did. We did. Sharing sandwiches and discovering tastes, we finished them along with the scones with clotted cream and jam, leaving just a little space for cakes that flowed like water from a fountain.

As it turns out, the Browns Hotel Afternoon Tea revolutionized this process, from serving only cakes to serving cakes and sandwiches. Historically, only cakes were served. Looking back into a more extended history, in the beginning, one tea and one cake were served. Then more cakes and then some teas were added, and just when Brown's started to serve savory and sweet, so did everyone else. Praise to them for that, as it is the perfect combination to enjoy. Queen Victoria loved to take her afternoon tea here as did other celebrities and nobility. Everyone who wants finesse and tradition likes to step in here with loved ones and friends.

Brown’s Hotel
33 Albemarle St
London W1S 4BP
United Kingdom