Adding to my list of ballet-themed afternoon teas, my first afternoon tea review of the New Year 2020 started on a high with a visit to one of my favourite venues in London, the iconic Royal Opera House. Inspired by the classic ballet Sleeping Beauty, this enchanting afternoon tea was served in the Piazza Restaurant, an elegant dining space in the heart of Covent Garden. The walls were lined with images from the Royal Opera House collections, with windows that looked out onto their terrace bar, with stunning views overlooking Covent Garden Piazza. On the same floor, guests are able to admire displays of the three tutus from the 1946 production, designed by Oliver Messel, one of the foremost stage designers of the twentieth century.
We both started with the Once Upon a Time cocktail, a classic champagne cocktail made with aromatic bitters soaked into a sugar cube, covered in Cognac and topped with Ruinart Champagne. The other two aptly named cocktails were Aurora and A Sloe Kiss, or for those staying true to Dry January, they also have a mocktail option, a fruity and refreshing Enchanted Forest.
From their selection of teas supplied by Hope & Glory, a young, British company producing hand-picked, loose leaf, organic tea sourced solely from ethical growers, I ordered a pot of classic Earl Grey tea, scented with Bergamot which gives this blend a distinct citrus character.
Our afternoon tea delights were served on a traditional three tiered stand, accompanied by our individually-plated selection of savoury sandwiches which included:
Truffled egg, mayonnaise and cress on white bread
Severn and Wye smoked salmon pinwheel on pumpernickel
Roast turkey, cranberry relish on granary bread
Rare roast beef, horseradish and watercress on sourdough
Cucumber and dill cream cheese on rye
The aromatic truffled egg sandwich was my favourite, closely followed by the smoked salmon.
The buttery plain and raisin scones were served with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam.
The final tier of fairytale-inspired sweet fancies included a mini golden Christmas pudding encased within a white chocolate shell, a Rosé Champagne snowman macaron, Carabosse pistachio amandine (or as some of you may know as Maleficent from the Disney adaptation of the fairytale), and my favourite amongst them, The Sleeping Beauty Gâteau Opéra.
The Sleeping Beauty Afternoon Tea at The Royal Opera House served from Tuesday to Saturday (2.30pm – 4.30pm) is exclusively available until 18th January, and is priced at £45.00, with options to add on champagne or cocktails. There is also a children’s menu available priced at £27.00.
Check out my other reviews on other great places to have afternoon tea around London, as well as some exclusive January sale offers on the Afternoontea.co.uk website.
- My Sleeping Beauty Afternoon Tea experience at the Royal Opera House was complimentary – views and photos are my own.
