I thought it would be nice to bring Caro out to an afternoon tea for her birthday. I’d read about the “Chic and Shock” afternoon tea at the Espelette in the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair from Timeout so was eager to try it out with Caro. Afternoon tea is served in the Conservatory which overlooks Carlos Place and Mount Street. When we arrived the place was abuzz with other fellow afternoon tea goers. Interestingly many of them, or the men at least, were kitted out rather casually in jeans and trainers! Still, afternoon tea is I think an opportunity to indulge in my girly girly side (which doesn’t really come out that often!) so I was happy to make an effort!

We were guided to a seat by the window which gave us a view out to a most amazing day. After a quick sneaky mention to the waiter that it was Caro’s birthday we settled down to an afternoon of overeating! Ha!

First of all we started with the tea selection – the variety included the usual variants of black, white and green tea. Whilst Caro opted for a mix of a number of teas with the Connaught Blend (Darjeeling, Lapsang, Keemun and Oolong) I went for a black tea which a hint of lemon, bergamot, caramel and vanilla (a blend called Paris.) If I ever come here again I’d be interested in trying the Caribe blend: Black and green tea infused with hibiscus, guava, coconut and strawberry accentuated with Marigolds and cornflowers. All those flavours!

Served at the same time as our tea were our sandwiches. Two usual suspects in the cucumber and dill cream and egg, mayo and watercress sandwiches and then the two sandwiches with bite: prawns, mayonnaise with chilli and fresh coriander leaves and smoked salmon and wasabi cream. Interesting! My favourite sandwich was definitely the prawn with chilli mayo with the egg and mayo coming a second. I liked the wasabi on the smoked salmon but I’m not a fan of smoked salmon itself.

After a second round of sandwiches (which we didn’t in all honesty need) it was on to pastries which are always the highlight of the afternoon tea. We had quite a few to choose from so we decided that we’d split everything to try it and then if we wanted anything else we’d just ask for more. Our pastries, starting from the bottom layer and working up were: Tirgre, marzipan and chocolate sponge cake topped with caramelized rice crispies, Praline cream with and hazelnut crumble, Tarte Montblanc, then Tiramisu tart, coffee financier and mascarpone mousse, Lime bar, milk and almond glaze topped with hazelnut gianduja cream, and Choux paste with caramel pastry cream and finally on top a shot glass of Coca Cola jelly and marinated pink grapefruit in whiskey along with our clotted cream for our warmed plain and apricot scones. We also got a variety of jellies to go with our scones: strawberry, chestnut, orange and marmalade.

Do you think that once we went through the above that we felt like seconds? Ha! Not at all – were so stuffed but then they brought a little plate for Caro and, though we’d forgotten about it, our final round: cakes! Slices of chocolate cake with a Gianduja glaze and lemon cake with ginger and Earl grey tea. I wish I’d been less full to do justice to the cakes.

We had a lovely time at the Esplette though surprisingly the waiter who we’d been assigned was a little bit remiss in his attention. I think he was caught up trying to keep on top of the big group of women that were seated next to us. Other than that though the other waitresses and waiters were fine. On a clear day like today the Conservatory was a perfect setting for an afternoon tea – light and airy and a good slightly buzzy atmosphere.

Note also that afternoon tea here is definitely at the higher end of the scale (£35 before service and sans champagne!)