Reviews
Claridges Hotel, W1K
Relaxed Tea Drinking 
Helen E. says:
I must admit I am an afternoon tea obsessive. I prefer afternoon tea somewhere lovely to a posh three course meal out somewhere.
Crazy? Maybe but I am starting to think I am becoming a bit of a pro at knowing good places for a good tea guzzle and scone scoff.
Claridges is stunning both inside and out, and from the minute you walk through the revolving doors you feel transported to another (more elegant time). The tea saloon is nestled in the entrance foyer and is perfect for people watching. The thing I really loved was the vintage furnishings - 1930's originals, still in perfect condition.
Everything about this place is luxury and the attention to detail is meticulous. The afternoon tea is far less formal than that offered at the Ritz, where tea is generally served to the whole tea room at the same time. There is not a strict dress code either, attire is more smart casual.
The food and service was of a great quality, finger sandwiches - followed by light fluffy scones, finished off with French pastries. There is real emphasis here on tea, they offer a whole menu of different teas to try! As a bit of a tea fanatic I was pretty impressed, all teas I sampled were lovely.
Overall it was a fantastic experience. We went quite late in the afternoon (5.30), and even though this was the last tea sitting we were not rushed out and sat leisurely for almost 2 hours listening to the musicians perform and sipping tea.
Ambiance aside I do feel the food was slightly better at the Ritz, more classic British however for a more intimate and less formal tea Claridges really does exceed expectations.
St James's Restaurant, W1A
Lazy Afternoon Heaven
Helen E. says:
I can't vouch for all the food that this restaurant offers, but I when I went on a sleepy/snowy bank holiday Monday in the late afternoon the afternoon tea that was on offer was delightful.
Sundays and weekday afternoons are reserved for people taking afternoon tea and they have quite an extensive tea menu. From fine teas to breakfast teas - and one pot is plenty big enough for two to share.
Food was also of a superior quality - I opted for the clotted cream scones and jam, they were beautiful. I love expensive scones they cut like fresh cake, don't crumble and have no chalky flour anywhere in sight. The prices on the other hand were, as you would expect seriously inflated. I don't mind this as the quality was second to none, however the scones were tiny and two came in just under £6!
My fellow diner had the smoked salmon scrambled eggs and at £10 this looked a little more substantial for the money - but I was still pleased as punch with my scones (damn my sweet tooth).
The setting itself is very nice and has a rustic kitchen crossed with fine dining feel to it. Worn wooden tables adorn the room while huge chandeliers loom over head. You get lovely views over London - so bag a window table.
Lovely experience and a great place to come if you don't fancy going for a full afternoon tea somewhere - just be careful not to trip over all the lingering tourists.
Laduree, W1J
Macaroon Swoon! 
Helen E. says:
I have a confession - I am totally in LOVE with macaroons and if you appreciate a fine macaroon then this is the only place to get them from.
The shop is swathed in gold and piled high with French delicacies including; cakes, macaroons, sweets and much more. The atmosphere is formal and traditional (as you would expect from The Burlington Arcade) - the service is impeccable. Staff with white gloves serve you your chosen treats and box them up beautifully. I don't think a shop or product could be more stunning and luxurious.
The macaroons themselves are feather light and dreamy in texture. The flavours really set Laduree apart from other macaroon makers, with delicious rarities like orange blossom and rose petal flavours they will have you drooling. They also have a whole range of seasonal flavours that they offer - of the same great quality.
They are expensive a small box of 8 will set you back around £10, but who can put a price on LOVE right?
Daisy Cakes Bake Shop, SE10
Cupcakes and Supplies
Helen E. says:
This little bake shop maybe small in stature but it's mighty in cupcakes and cake baking supplies. Don't miss it though as it is hidden in the lanes that surround Greenwich market and could easily be overlooked.
They sell the loveliest raspberry cupcakes made with fresh raspberries, both on top and in the cake. The sponge is really fluffy and the cream icing is really fresh tasting. My fellow cupcake consumer went for the jammy dodger cake and this involved a lot of jam - which was really yummy also.
The shop is very small and it can get a little busy especially at the weekend. However once inside it is filled with cakes to eat, and supplies to take away and bake with including some really unique cake cases and decorations.
The staff are really friendly and will order things in for you if they do not have it. This place has a really independent feel - where nothing is too much effort. A real treat if you are in the area.
Paul Patisserie/Boulangerie, WC2E
A tasty French afternoon tea-time 
Carmen M. says:
A long-time English friend visiting from France had the great commonsense to pick this delightful family-run patisserie in the heart of Covent Garden to treat my children and I to afternoon tea.
We ensconced ourselves in the warm, welcoming salon de thé located to the rear of the building, and soon partook of lovely, lovely French patisserie reminiscent of days gone by in its country of origin. What was great is that the kids were easily pleased enough by their chinoises (the French equivalent of a Chelsea bun but stickier and less laden with spice), choquettes (light, fluffy, sugar-sprinkled rounds of golden baked dough), cream-filled chocolate eclairs and glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice to keep Paul’s child-friendly environment on a pleasantly even keel. Meanwhile, the adult contingent among us went for the hard stuff: a double French espresso each, which hopefully counteracted the cream-tiered heavenly flakes of millefeuilles, slices of tarte au fromage blanc (a not-outrageously-sweet cream cheese flan with a discreet hint of vanilla) and of flan Normand (a crisp buttery pastry base filled with sweet almond cream and topped with poached, sugar-glazed apple slices).
The heady aroma of baking bread, cakes and confectionery tinged with a French accent was a delight to inhale, and more or less set the scene of a strong wish and a firmer promise for more selective eating à deux on my mate's next visit. A Jurassienne (grilled lardons, French-Swiss raclette cheese, onions and chives baked in a pie) and a full-to-bursting - or so it seemed on the next table - savoury crepe or two (especially one filled with smoked salmon, Emmental cheese, lemon juice and chives) are high on my list of choices for future tea-time temptation.
The total cost came in at a snip of just under £35 for the four of us and was, to my mind, well worth every enjoyable mouthful (moreso when someone else foots the bill).
