Having previously attended the launch of The Art of Travel summer pop-up at St Pancras Champagne Bar by Searcys last year, which was a fabulous evening as you would expect (Searcys always know how to throw a party!), I was glad to find out that they had extended their travel-inspired afternoon tea. Having ticked off quite a few themed afternoon teas off my list in the past year, and this was my first travel-themed afternoon tea, and the perfect theme to start the year 2020 – a great experience to build up the excitement for my first trip of the New Year in a few day’s time!
I have always been a fan of Searcys, particularly their St Pancras branch, set inside London’s iconic St Pancras Station, the historical surroundings providing a suitably grand backdrop to indulge in the great British tradition of afternoon tea. Served in their chic and elegant Champagne Bar, Europe’s longest Champagne bar, each banquette was equipped with soft individual blankets, fan heaters and heated leather seats, which helped to keep us snug and cosy on a chilly winter’s day. And who doesn’t love a ‘Press for Champagne’ button, handily accessible on each table. Natural sunlight flooded through the high glass ceilings, whilst the impressive wrought iron finishings and Art Deco lamps added a touch of grandeur to the space.
Their travel-inspired afternoon tea menu plays on delicacies from several European cities – strategically located just next to the Eurostar platforms, the afternoon tea menu gives a taste of travels to come.
Needless to say, we started with chilled glasses of champagne, followed by a warming pot of Darjeeling tea, the ‘Champagne of teas’.
In true Searcys’ style, the generous afternoon tea menu included a scrumptious selection of sweet and savoury offerings. Beautifully presented in a stylish travel suitcase, we began by tucking into the savouries which included a healthy avocado, pomegranate and quinoa wrap, Burford Brown’s egg mayonnaise bun, York ham and wholegrain mustard served on rye bread, a prawn and crab cocktail with Bloody Mary sauce served in a brioche bun, and my favourite amongst them, the smoked salmon with chive and lemon butter served on a warm crumpet. It’s always nice to have a change from the traditional selection of sandwiches.
We then moved on to the scones accompanied by Cornish clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve. The cakes all looked really pretty and appetizing, it was hard to pick which one to start with. We began by tucking into the passion fruit Swiss meringue pie which turned out to be my favourite, and slowly savoured the rest of the sweets which were just as delicious: a classic French Opera gâteau, a Belgian white chocolate mousse, a peach and raspberry macaron, and I always love a Battenberg with that distinctive pink and yellow check pattern.
As we sunk back into their comfortable leather seats with full bellies and smiles of satisfaction on both our faces, all that we needed to top off our experience were a couple of Eurostar tickets for a nice girly getaway – trip to Paris, anyone?
The Art of Travel Afternoon Tea at Searcys St Pancras is available every Monday to Saturday at the Champagne Bar, and is priced at £33.00 per person.
- My experience of The Art of Travel Afternoon Tea at St Pancras Champagne Bar by Searcys was complimentary – views and photos are my own.
