Afternoon tea at the De Ville Restaurant

Afternoon tea at the De Ville Restaurant (part of the Mandeville Hotel, located in Mandeville Place in the heart of London’s West End) was presented to me as a real treat. When reviewing restaurants you get that alot ! Unfortunately, rarely does the anticipation match up to the reality.

However, in this instance the De Ville delivered. From the moment I set foot into the restaurant the staff were attentive and helpful. Even when I disruptively requested to be seated near a power socket for my laptop, they moved heaven and earth to make this happen! Top marks here…

The variety of teas on offer were really something. I tried a delightful little peppermint, a change from my usual “builders” brew – and it was quite delicious. I was offered a vanilla leaf tea later which was equally titivating on the palate.

The vast array of sandwiches and pastries that were then presented were a particular treat for me (having skipped breakfast and lunch).

Highlights included:

– Delightful and delicate potted shrimp

– A melt in the mouth steak sandwich

– An olive toast rarebit

– Crayfish sandwich

– Then some delightful petit fours blackberry, raspberry and chocolate all made welcome appearances

– The pinnacle of the De Ville afternoon tea were some heavy duty scones with cream and jam

All of this was topped off by a delightful little Thienot Brut Champagne.

As the above is captioned as a “Man’s Afternoon Tea” there is a more feminine version “Fashion afternoon tea” which looked equally mouthwatering and offers a delicious selection of homemade scones, deep filled sandwiches, pink meringues and designer cupcakes, beautifully presented on Royal Doulton china designed by Zandra Rhodes and accompanied by an extensive selection of teas and champagnes.

Men`s Afternoon Tea is priced from £23.50 per person – for more information: Mandeville Hotel