Ruppert Leroy 'Les Cognaux ' 2013
The Foyer At Claridge's

The Foyer At Claridge's

Brook Street, W1K 4HR, City of London,Westminster, United Kingdom

Pub • Tea • Seafood • Cocktail


"I have waited quite a long time to go to Claridges as I am not in London often, but a friend and I make the trip annually to try afternoon tea at one of the big establishments and then review them. Firstly, despite trying to book afternoon tea 3 months ago I was told they were fully booked for afternoon tea but we could have the lunch menu instead. I was disappointed by this and even more so when I got there today to find people either side of me having afternoon tea. When I questioned why there wasn't room for us to have afternoon tea too I was told it was served in a separate area which was full. I pointed out the people next to us and was just given a load of mumbles and excuses. It makes no sense. If they have room to seat you surely they can serve you either afternoon tea or lunch especially with 3 months notice. The lunch was nice but grossly overpriced. I could have made it myself for about £20. They got my main wrong but I accepted what they brought as I didn't want my friend to be waiting for me while they redid my dish. I presumed that they would charge me for the dish I ordered and not the one they brought me in error which was over £20 more. They didnt. I didn't notice this until after we paid. I also asked for a rose prosecco but if they didn't have it white would be fine. I was poured a glass of rose fizz but it turned out to be rose Champagne at twice the price. I also discovered this on the bill. Very sneaky on 2 counts. We had to ask for the bill twice before it was brought. The service was okay, everyone was OTT polite but it was very fake and the same person didn't come back twice, we must have had over 5 people in total wait our table. With the discretionary tip of 12.5% (which I think is a very impolite way of asking for more money and making it awkward for you to say no) the lunch came to over £260. I agree with all the comments about it being a tourist trap. It is overpriced and doesn't have the lustre of the photos you see. There is no atmosphere, no USP. They just count on the footfall I think. It might have been the number one place to go at one point but now it wouldnt make my top 10. The doormen didn't even acknowledge us so we got the door both in and out ourselves. Very disappointed!"

Fera at Claridge's

Fera at Claridge's

Brook Street London, W1K 4HR, FSA Food H, United Kingdom

Wine • British • European • Contemporary


"Afternoon tea at Claridges includes: sandwiches, scones, pastries, and unlimited tea Sandwiches: Poached and smoked salmon with samphire on rye bread 6.74/10 I was honestly most excited for this sandwich as I love smoked salmon, however I was a bit disappointed because I thought it would be more flavorful. However most of the flavor was from the salmon, and the sandwich itself was a bit dry. It was still okay and the salmon was very fresh. Coronation chicken on brown granary bread 8.78/10 this was my second favorite sandwich, so much flavor and hints of spices!! Absolutely loved it Ham with tomato chutney and watercress on onion bread 7.42/10 this was tasty however it could have used more chutney. Ham itself added a lot of flavor but I couldn 't tell the bread was onion bread Egg with tomato and basil on white bread 5.31/10 pretty bland, it was just okay. Honestly had higher expectations. Also egg was a bit lukewarm, would definitely taste better if served cold. Cucumber with lemon cream cheese on white bread 6.78/10 your average cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, enjoyed it however also was hoping for more flavor. Goat cheese, tomato, and basil eclair 9.88/10 this was my favorite sandwich of them all. SO flavorful. The eclair was very light and fluffy, the basil added a lot of flavor but wasn 't overwhelming. The goat cheese was strong and made this sandwich taste like a savory pastry. Honestly so good. If sandwiches all tasted like this I 'd have sandwiches all the time. Truly outdid themselves with this one. Plain and raisin scones 10/10 these were both so good. I liked the raisin one more just due to the added texture and sweetness of the raisin, however both of them were so fluffy, doughy, and filled with butter. Exceptional. Served with Cornish clotted cream and Marco Polo gelée Pastries: Chocolate and pistachio 4.34/10 a bit too dry for my liking and I don 't think this paired well Caramel Saint honoré 7.32/10 really liked the filo pastry and the caramel was very rich in flavor Raspberry Eton 9.34/10 my personal fav, loved the custard filling Frasier with vanilla ganache 7.86/10 custard was good; didn 't like the outer And for the tea at Claridge 's we tried 9 different blends, those being: Claridge 's blend exclusive to Claridge 's, English Breakfast tea, has a malty finish The rare chai different from a regular chai because it 's handcrafted and enhanced with spices, regular chai often uses low grade tea and disguises it with spices Malawi antler made from the stems of the tea bush, antlers represent the earth of Malawi, only a few kilos of this tea are produced every year, and it can only be found in two places: one being Claridge 's Jasmine silver tip white tea, jasmine flowers are made to have this tea scented over 6 nights rather than artificially scented! White Silver tip made entirely from spring buds that can only be picked for 20 days out of the entire year in mountains in eastern china, highest level of antioxidants and lowest caffeine level Rose pouchong Indian black tea made with rose petals Sri Lankan hand rolled hand rolled leaf to make tea, only a few kilos of this tea are produced per year Genmaicha top grade sencha crafted by Moriuchi San huge tea master on his 200 year old tea garden in Shizuoka Fresh English mint grown exclusively for Claridge 's in the Botanical Gardens in Cornwall Such a cute spot for tea and they have rare selections!! Definitely make reservations in advance as they are booked months in advance."