The sun is shining in London. What better way to celebrate than over nice cup of tea? Luxurious Magazine takes a look at some of the best places to enjoy a quintessentially English affair this summer season.

Mon Beau Papillon at Jumeirah Carlton Tower
This is afternoon tea at it’s very finest. Master patissier Eric Lanlard (twice winner of prestigious Continental Patissier of the Year at the British Baking Awards) and executive chef Simon Young skilfully serve up a breath-taking array of beautiful butterfly-inspired treats that celebrate the wonders of nature. Offered within this luxury hotel’s Chinoiserie area, this perfectly refined menu stirs up all the senses. With an insane amount of attention to detail, your palate will burst open to savoury flavours including a mini raspberry macaroon with smoked duck and chilli jelly, mini brioche bun with thyme blossom, grain mustard smoked chicken and jasmine smoked salmon and goat’s curd tart, finished with an asparagus and pea shoot wrap. You will also get to indulge in a variety of avant-garde, ingenious desserts and pastries, from a dark chocolate spoon with morello chocolate mousse, to a white chocolate macaroon with strawberry marshmallow ice cream and a pear and walnut choux bun.
www.jumeirahcarltontower.com / 020 7858 7181.

24 Karat Gold Afternoon Tea with Luxor Champagne at
’51 Buckingham Gate Taj Suites & Residences’ in St James’
All that glitters is decadent edible gold during this gleaming tea celebration. Talented executive chef Vikas Milhourtra at ’51 Buckingham Gate Taj Suites & Residences’ in St James’ has been inspired by Luxor, the fine champagne label, to create a shimmering and sumptuous spread. First up, delicate finger sandwiches such as smoked salmon pinwheels, light, crunchy parma ham and ruccola mille-feuille and beetroot bread with sundried cherry tomatoes, followed by scones, cakes and pastries such as gold leaf opera cake, strawberry tart with gold flakes, champagne and gold leaf jelly and white chocolate delight with yes, more gold leaves. Your menu for two can be served with a sparkling half bottle of Luxor Pure Gold 24k Brut Champagne, which has 24-karat gold specks floating amongst the fizz and bubbles. There are three hotel hot spots to enjoy your tea session from too: The Library at 51, The Hamptons Bar and our favourite for when we are bestowed with such great weather in the capital, The Courtyard.
/ 020 7769 7766.

Paramount
This teatime treat is served with supreme scenic views over London. At the top of Centre Point on the edge of Soho, tuck into a modern European menu by head chef Mark Kay. Start with classic finger sandwiches with salmon, chicken with spring onion mayonnaise and free-range boiled egg with grain mustard and cress on toasted brioche and quiches of the day. Move on to warm scones served with clotted cream. Wrap up your session sweetly with a light vanilla cheesecake, fresh fruit tartlets, homemade-style carrot cake and chocolate pots. The best bit is that all teas are JING, ensuring a perfect brew every time. Once you’re done, make sure you ascend to the 33rd floor to the Viewing Gallery, a space that runs the entire perimeter of the building and offers the most uninterrupted panoramas in the city. Hot-and-bothered Londoners can loosen their ties, unbutton their collars and enjoy tier after tier of sweet and savoury favourites with the new Iced Tea menu, which is an array of fabulously frozen fare such as a Frozen Coffee Cream, Strawberry Parfait and Mango Chiboust in a cone.
www.paramount.uk.net / 020 7420 2900

Gilbert’s Gin Garden Afternoon Tea at The Gilbert Scott
If you like to enjoy tea with a little bit of tipple other than the champagne variety, check out Gilbert’s Gin Garden in association with Hendrick’s Gin. With dishes by top chef Marcus Wareing, this is a curious arena to congregate, imbibe and indulge. Set in the forecourt of The Gilbert Scott bar, Gilbert’s Gin Garden offers a most unusual setting in which to enjoy botanically themed cocktails in a traditional country garden.

Hendrick’s ‘Tea Time’ tipples have been concocted to enjoy with a traditional afternoon tea. Try the refreshing Delicate Rose cocktail, an infusion of gin with rose petal tea, pink grapefruit, elderflower and cucumber, or Lady’s Grey, a mix of gin with bergamot, Lady Grey tea and bitter lemon fizz for a delicious citrus flavour. Celebrating true British eccentricity, the garden features goldfish bowls hung in chandeliers, bathtub sofas and a phone box bar station. This is a great place to watch the world rush by, all under the grand visage of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
www.thegilbertscott.co.uk  / 0207 278 3888