42 Hours of Classic Fun in London

What better way to end a 3-day hectic official trip with a weekend stay at a dear friend's place in London!! WoW!! Nachiketa Chandra (famously known as Nachi...The Dessert Queen, of CrazyOverDesserts fame), who is in London since a few months now was gracious enough to postpone her Europe trip for my short visit to her new abode. The preparations for my visit were high on Nachi's To-Do list for a long time. She wanted to pack all the fun in the 42 hours that I had in London before my return back home. Though this was my nth visit to London, but it surely was D.I.F.F.E.R.E.N.T and will be a memorable one for times to come :)

From hogging on delish desserts at Yauatcha, to authentic Italian dinner, to watching Shrek-The Musical & The Woman in Black - A Thriller, exploring Borough Market, hanging out in Covent Garden, visit to Le Cordon Bleu, a stopover at Laduree for Macroons, Hot Chocolate shopping at Whittard, & shopping for Chocolates at award-winning Paul A Young - we did all this & much more!! 

Needless to say, chatting & gossiping was unlimited.

The high point of it all was Alice in Wonderland themed Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea @ Hotel Sanderson. I had heard a lot about the British high-teas at fancy five-star hotels and the experience at Sanderson was unique. This Alice in Wonderland tea party was like entering a world full of fantasy with a style and class of its own. Set up in the beautiful courtyard garden of the hotel, the sounds of water in the background gave a peaceful n soothing touch to the ambience. With menus hidden inside vintage books, napkins wrapped with riddles, teapots adorned with kings and queens, hand painted crockery, a very musical sugar box...the inquisitiveness in me kept on increasing.  

What followed was an array of sweet & savoury treats in a a fascinating 3-tiered vintage cake-stand. The sweet & savoury scones with herb butter, jams & cream, sandwiches made with home-made bread, veg quiches, green tea and white chocolate mousse served in a chocolate tea cup, the melting mango cheese cake & the colourful real fruit jellies were all to die for!! 

Not to forget the passionfruit & coconut concoction - 'Drink-Me' in mini medicine bottles. 

Last but not the least, a selection of teas from unusual blends - Apple Pie, Chocolate Mint, Apple Cinnamon was superb.

This high tea party was truly a delight - an unusual culinary experience that keeps on getting curiouser. The magical atmosphere & set up not only adds that extra edge to the whole experience but wants you go back and explore more - with a feeling that perhaps there might be some more fun & fantasy that was missed!!

It would surely be once again on my list the next time I visit London - If my pocket allows!!

Cheers,