With the arrival of the Savage Beauty exhibition at The V&A, London has gone McQueen mad. The elegantly chic Kensington Hotel is celebrating the iconic fashion designer with a decadent afternoon tea inspired by the collection. Located just a short walk from the museum, it is the ideal place for a spot of tea following a trip around the show.
Walking inside this quietly regal hotel I was amazed I had never visited before. The hotel is decorated with appealing art work and attractive furniture and we sat in a light window table, in the corner of the hotel’s new Town House restaurant. Around us huddled guests were excitedly demolishing their stylish afternoon meal.
A range of exotic teas were on offer, but feeling patriotic we opted for classic earl grey, made with fragrant tea leaves. Happily settled in our comfortable seats and sipping our tea, we were delighted when the highly anticipated cake stand of treats arrived. The special tea includes traditional finger sandwiches, warm from the oven scones, savoury nibbles and immaculate hand-crafted cakes created with the McQueen designs in mind. I loved the pale blue pastel striped crockery which contrasts with the dark and glamorous cakes.
Luckily my guest for the day was an expert sandwich taster, and she nodded her head in approval as she tasted the soft and flavoursome cucumber, smoked salmon and chicken sandwiches. I am a sucker for scones and loaded them high with jam and cream. They tasted just-made and were the perfect crumbly consistency. Needless to say the other three scones didn’t last long! The mini pastries were truly beautiful, a selection of a few carefully made treats: a fondant iced cake in the form of one of Alexander McQueen’s must have studded clutch bags; Butterfly Chocolate cupcake presented in the style of the Butterfly Hat by Philip Treacy seen at McQueen’s Spring/Summer collection in 2008, and; a delicate hand-decorated biscuit inspired by a McQueen dress.
The waiters were attentive and accommodating ensuring we had enough clotted cream and jam at all times! They were happy to box up our remaining cakes for take-away when we couldn’t finish it all.
If you are looking for the ultimate fun girls day out in London, tickets to the McQueen show and a booking for the matching tea at The Kensington Hotel would make the perfect itinerary.
More information and book in your fashion forward afternoon tea here.