The Berkeley Hotel in London serves a special twist on traditional English afternoon tea.

Tea is served in the Caramel Room which is a low lit confection with chocolate coloured wall coverings and sleekly modern seating that is surprisingly comfortable.

Much about the afternoon tea service is quite traditional and nothing out of the ordinary. Finger sandwiches, canapés, and other fare are much the same as you would find at any other fine establishment at teatime. They have a nice variety of loose black teas and herbal infusions from which to choose, as well.

Afternoon tea at The Berkeley is billed as a special treat for the fashionista, and it is called Pret-a-Portea in a clever play on words.

The menu changes every six months to reflect the changes in colours and styles that are taking place in the world of fashion.

Where things start to get interesting at The Berkeley is when you are served the tea cakes and biscuits that are little works of art; wonderful edible replicas of the works of various designers. You might get a Roger Vivier chocolate boot-shaped biscuit decorated with his signature heart and buckle, or a cinnamon Burberry classic trench coat biscuit with caramel buttons.

Perhaps a Christian Lacroix chocolate dress with a golden bow is more your style or a Mulberry “Bayswater” bag made of white chocolate and coconut truffle. Indeed you may find it difficult to eat such beautiful sculptures in sugar, the thought of teeth destroying such work is painful to contemplate; perhaps that is how the supermodels keep their figures after all.

For those who can’t make it to the Caramel Room, the Pret-a-Portea is available for delivery as well. The tea is cleverly packed into handbag shaped takeaway boxes which are then stowed in a larger handbag shaped hamper.

All of this comes delivered on the back of a Vespa sporting the Pret-a-Portea signature colours of pale pink and pistachio green.

The Berkeley Hotel in London is the place to go for a stylish and imaginatively fashionable afternoon tea.

Venue: The Berkeley

Address: Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL

Phone: 020 7235 6000

Time: Daily from 1pm-6pm

Price: Afternoon Tea £35 per person | Champagne Tea £49 per person

Dress Code: Smart casual

Nearest Station: Hyde Park Corner Tube

Photo courtesy: Mike_fleming

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