A Chocolate Affair at the Rubens Hotel at The Palace

Rubens Hotel, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PS

http://www.rubenshotel.com/food-and-drink/afternoon-tea 

I was lucky enough to have been bought this tea as a birthday gift by my son who was keen to find out what this was all about, and wanted to join me for a proper posh tea. So we figured sitting opposite the Royal mews would fit the bill, and on a sunny but cold February Thursday, we met after work in Victoria station and trotted the few minutes’ walk to the hotel.

Unfortunately for them there are huge roadworks going on outside which is such a shame as the restaurant does indeed look over the entrance of the Royal Mews, we were shown to our window seat and given our menus for choice of tea and drinks by the very charming Maitress D, and if you could ignore the diggers and dumpers out of the window it was a charming spot to take tea!

The tables were really well set with white linen, silverware and ribbons, with comfortable armchairs and sofas to choose from. There were a few others also having Afternoon Tea which did cause a bit of delay in us ordering but we weren't in a rush and they were very polite and apologetic. We ordered our tea – I went for a chocolate and hazelnut blend and my son asked for green tea – we also decided as it was a late birthday treat to ask for cocktails, so also ordered a Cosmopolitan and a Mai Tai. The staff were, (unlike our last slightly disappointing afternoon tea hosts) very concerned about whether we had the tea, cocktails or food first - we decided on having tea first then cocktails, which were very delicious and very strong.

When the tea was brought I was persuaded to try mine with a bit of hot milk and a lump of brown sugar and a promise – if you don’t like we will change it – and it was actually lovely – it tasted like a liquid Ferrero Rocher.  

The Afternoon Tea stand was brought along and explained - very traditional and beautifully presented.

The sandwiches were Egg and Cress, Smoked Salmon, Ham and Mustard, Cucumber and Cream Cheese and a Chicken and almond bridge roll. We were really impressed with the sandwiches – very generous fillings, and very good quality fresh moist bread and to my delight were offered more sandwiches without asking. We declined,  as the scones were calling and my son had lunch before he came (as he’d thought there wouldn't be much to eat!!)  but I was tempted to ask for more of the chicken roll and the smoked salmon. 

The scones were small but very fresh with the requisite crispy outside and fluffy middle with plenty of clotted cream and jam to spread.

I did then move to breakfast tea with my pastries which were mostly delicious. The theme of the tea was "A Chocolate Affair" and that was a key ingredient all of the choices, chocolate éclair with coffee cream, orange and chocolate cupcake and so on.    Although I wasn't keen on the dark chocolate meringue tart,  my son loved it, I adored the chocolate and pistachio millefeuille and both of us really enjoyed the dark and white chocolate mousse with passion fruit glaze …oh wow !

Sadly I have to say the cakes did defeat us: we did sit for a bit in the hope we would find inspiration to eat more but alas no -  they kindly packed it in a box for us and we took it home where my husband enjoyed the selection very much.

Overall this was a very splendid affair – we had a nice chat at the end with the manageress who was interested in why my son chose to bring me there and also in other teas I had been to- she told us they were changing their tea next week as they do regularly and would be offering the “Royal Tea” from next week. Sigh, so many teas so little time !

This felt very special and the ambience,  décor and service were spot on.  We also enjoyed watching the comings and goings at the Royal mews – all the Bentleys and blacked out window cars going in and out.

Definitely one to recommend if you are visiting Buckingham Palace or fancy saying you have taken afternoon tea at the palace. 

Feb 2016