It’s been a while since I’ve been to an afternoon tea, so when I heard that Balthazar of Covent Garden was collabing with one of my favourite florists, I knew I had to go. So a few of us got together and headed to Covent Garden on a not so bright bank holiday weekend.
Welcomed by this display it’s hard not to get excited! The interiors at Balthazar are always rather dark so we requested a window seat with as much light as we could have. The flower afternoon tea is the only tea being served at Balthazar at the moment so you can’t miss it!
My waitress was really helpful and explained all the pastries usually had alcohol in them. However, on very short notice they were able to provide pastries for me without the alcohol which I was super happy about. None of the meat is halal but the only thing meaty there was a chicken sandwich which I was happy to miss out on.
So the food came out in all its glory …
We waited a few minutes while we picked our jaws from the floor looking at those pretty flower pastries
Our waiter talked us through all the different pastries that were on about table – each represented a flower – hydrangea, tulip, rose, and more.
The sandwiches were your standard flavours but with a bit of a twist which I loved – Smoked salmon with lemon creme fraiche, cucumber, mint and homemade hummus, egg mayo and watercress, and a prawn bao bun.
I absolutely loved the sandwiches, the simple flavours with the twist of lemon creme fraiche or the prawn bao buns were such a great addition. Although I have to say the bread on the sandwiches was thick, so very carby!
Next, scones! You know how I love my scones and these were just perfect! I don’t think I have ever had such massive scones too! They came with clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve. I cant stress enough how perfect the scones were with the combo of clothes cream and jam – the clotted cream was smooth, not just out the fridge, the jam was tasty and not with bits and the scones were so tasty! Love!
The cakes looked amazing and I loved how they executed the flower themed afternoon tea with the pastries with such perfection – Apple and Blackberry Tulip, Cocunut and Yuzu Hydrangea, Salted Caramel Anemone, Lemon and Blueberry Dahlia, Balthazar Raspberry Rose. Such perfection to look at but not so much in taste unfortunately.
The Hydrangea was my favourite – maybe because I love anything coconut related or because Hydrangea are one of my favourite flowers (gutted that my favourite peonies weren’t on the menu!) but it tasted so good!
The Lemon Dahlia and, surprisingly, the Raspberry Rose both tasted of very strong lemon which I wasn’t a fan of – why the Rose tasted of lemon was beyond me! The lemon was so overpowering, uncomfortably so! It’s gonna be a no from me!
Overall, I did really enjoy the tea and the whole experience. They got the flower theme right down to a tea (pun intended!) I loved how hey had different flowers as cakes and they looked divine. The sandwiches were the Balthazar take on the standard sandwiches and I loved the twist! I would definitely recommend it for a nice girly afternoon and at £29.95 per person (£33 including service) it such good value for money – especially given the size of the portions! Also, the service was so friendly, helpful and accommodating! We moved tables 3 times and they totally understood it’s the blogger life without even batting an eyelid – sold!
Food – 7 out of 10
Service – 8 out of 10
Atmosphere – 6 out of 10
Experience – 7 out of 10
Overall, giving Afternoon tea at Balthazar a total TLH score of 7 out of 10.
Address: 4-6 Russell Street, London, WC2B 5HZ
Website: www.balthazarlondon.com
Halal Status: No halal dishes and alcohol is served but there are no-alcohol options
Closest Station: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line)
Very much enjoyed the review!
Love to point out that Regis Beauregard who is the Head Pastry chef at Balthazar deserves a mention here- he came from the exec pastry role at the Ritz and is a marvel! Ask him about the story of how we got the mother dough for the Balthazar sourdough over from France!
Secondly- what are your thoughts on Hummus being suddenly a player in many afternoon teas in town now.
Finally and my only gripe as a lover of all things steamed- that ain’t no Bao!