I recently tumbled down the rabbit hole to The Sanderson Hotel for their Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea, and what a treat it was.
Recently voted the most Instagrammable Afternoon Tea by Vogue, it was easy to see why. The menu was hidden inside a vintage book, sandwich plates were decorated with birdcages and teapots had their very own paper crowns. We were lead out into the Courtyard where a muted palette of greys and lilacs took over. Think white marble tables, heaters and fluffy blankets.
The tea started with a selection of sandwiches, some on the greenest bread I’ve ever seen, and the tastiest mini croque-monsiers I’ve ever had. Seriously, these were mind-blowingly good. The best bit? You could order as much as you liked!
The sweets followed, and were equally as tasty as the savory offering. Macaroons in the form of pocket watches, red velvet Ladybird cakes, sinful scones and ice cream in flower pots followed – it was a spread created to delight the senses, both visual and edible, in every way. Not forgetting the tastiest strawberry marshmallow mushrooms and the cutest chocolate worms. Yes, you heard right.
The table was beautifully dressed, and every part of the experience had been carefully and meticulously thought out; from tailor-made tea tasting with colour coordinated cards (I tried the Cheshire Cat) to the bespoke crockery and sweet and savoury delights on offer. It was certainly a scene that would not look out of place in Lewis Carroll’s classic novel.
We enjoyed a glass of champagne with our tea and were suitably stuffed by the end of the experience. It’s not often you find an Afternoon Tea that manages to capture a theme so effortlessly and produce food that looks amazing and tastes equally as good.
Every adventure requires a first step – Cheshire Cat
