Hazel Holloway
I’m sitting in the beating heart of London, surrounded by the opulent decoration and decadence of what could be the hall of mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. The walls are gilded with gold, and ornate chandeliers add elegance and a dazzling effect. The mirrors reflect light, casting golden hues. The soft lighting, reminiscent of a warm summer’s evening, and the peaceful piano music, like a gentle breeze, in the background create the perfect ambience for a room that can only be described as a work of art.
Within these walls, literary icon Irish poet and author Oscar Wilde would dine, converse, dream and fall in love with Lord Alfred Douglas.
I recently enjoyed a festive afternoon tea with my son, who has just earned a PhD in philosophy. It seemed fitting to celebrate at the Café Royal on Regent Street, where the great literati once met in the Grill Room. Wilde made it his hangout and set the pace for artistic types.
Our host delivers our VIP experience beautifully, describing each tea on offer and in which order to eat the delightful festive-filled flavoursome sandwiches followed by small perfectly formed scones, homemade jams, and clotted cream from Cornwall. If that wasn’t enough, four fantastic frilly fancies, all crafted by Pastry Chef Maxence Blondelle, followed. Oh, and we washed it down with exquisite champagne. The exceptional service takes you on a culinary journey that doesn’t stop at the table. Anything left over was boxed and handed to us to take home. So, there I was the day after with my feet up at home, TV on, finishing off one of the best pastry chefs in London’s little fancies in my front room, swilled down with a mug of Yorkshire tea.
The establishment was set up in 1865 by Daniel Nicholas Thévenon, a wine merchant from France. Due to bankruptcy, he left his country with his wife, Celestine, in 1836 with just five pounds to their name. He changed his name to Daniel Nicola, and under his management, and later that of his wife, the Cafe Royal grew and grew and was considered to have the most outstanding wine cellar in the world. The couple were credited with introducing French gourmet cuisine to Londoners.
In 2008, luxury hotel group The Set Collection acquired the prestigious building at the southern end of Regent Street. Under the direction of David Chipperfield Architects, it underwent a radical four-year restoration and redevelopment. The result was the grand and elegant Hotel Café Royal, a dazzling addition to Regent Street.
The Café Royal is not just a place; it’s a living museum of history and stories, particularly the Grill Room. It has been a cultural hub, attracting royalty and Hollywood icons such as Lady Diana and Elizabeth Taylor, David Bowie and the Beatles.
Festive Afternoon Tea in the Grill Room is available from 7th November to 3rd January. Festive Afternoon tea is £85 per person or £95 per person with a glass of N.V. Veuve Clicquot Brut. It’s perfect for a celebration or romantic outing in London.
Take a look at the website here.
The Hotel Café Royal is a five-star hotel at 68 Regent Steet in Picadilly, London. Where St. James’, Mayfair and Soho converge.
Images were taken on the iPhone.
