Hotel Café Royal has launched a new literary afternoon tea celebrating the hotel’s connections with Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and John le Carré.
London’s Most Literary Afternoon Tea launches today, 8 September, to coincide with International Literacy Day and is being served in the historic Café Royal Grill.
The experience draws on more than 150 years of literary and cultural connections at the Regent Street hotel.
Wilde was a regular visitor to Café Royal, while Woolf dined there with Clive Bell and members of the Bloomsbury circle. Le Carré was later inducted into the Detection Club at the hotel.
Head Pastry Chef Maxence Blondelle has developed a menu translating works including The Picture of Dorian Gray, Mrs Dalloway and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy into a collection of pâtisserie and savouries.
The experience also introduces an exclusive partnership with Hatchards, allowing guests to browse and purchase editions of books connected with Wilde, Woolf and le Carré, including rare first editions.
The literary theme is continued through a floral installation created by Jamie Aston in the Grill’s foyer.
Among the pâtisserie is Mrs Dalloway’s Hat, combining vanilla sablé, vanilla-hazelnut mousse, orange marmalade and hazelnut praline.
Dorian’s Gilded Mirror, inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, combines plum glaze and gold chocolate with honey mousse, spiced plum and almond sponge.
The Secret Letter draws on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy through Earl Grey tea mousse, Pink Lady apple compote, cheesecake sablé and streusel.
Literary references also run through the savoury menu.
Rudyard Kipling is represented by a Coronation Chicken sandwich, while W. B. Yeats inspires smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraîche and rye sourdough.
George Bernard Shaw’s vegetarianism is reflected through an egg mayonnaise and mustard cress sandwich.
Wilde is referenced through an English cucumber sandwich with elderflower-pickled shallots and cultured cream cheese, drawing inspiration from The Importance of Being Earnest.
A further seasonal savoury combines aged cured ham, truffle mascarpone and marinated fig.
Bloomsbury Scones, served with strawberry preserve and seasonal fig jam, reference Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.
The experience concludes with The Final Chapter, comprising three edible books bringing together Wilde, Woolf and le Carré through dark chocolate mousse, vanilla salted caramel, vanilla crémeux and crisp sponge.
Associated Articles
Rocco Forte Hotels Launches Great British Cultural Journey Between London and Edinburgh
Provides the strongest literary hospitality comparison, with Brown’s Hotel and The Balmoral offering a new cultural journey incorporating private literary walks, Agatha Christie experiences, Sir Ian Rankin storytelling and access to museums and galleries.
Rocco Forte Hotels Launches Great British Cultural Journey Between London and Edinburgh
The Stafford London Appoints Kremi McCabe as General Manager
Adds relevant luxury London hotel context, with The Stafford recently recognised with an Afternoon Tea Award of Excellence as it continues to develop its guest experience and food and beverage offer.
The Stafford London Appoints Kremi McCabe as General Manager
Experience Hospitality Service Robotics Live in Action at Robot Week
Hospitality and catering operators can experience emerging service technology during Robot Week in London, with dedicated sessions on 9 and 10 September covering food and drink service, coffee, cooking, cleaning and back-of-house operations.
Experience hospitality service robotics live in action at Robot Week
