Tea at the Connaught
Tea at the Connaught
Where better to enjoy afternoon tea than the Connaught Hotel, one of London's most distinguished addresses. Located in the posh Mayfair district, the Connaught Hotel has earned a reputation as the place to enjoy this distinctly British tradition.
In 1803, Alexander Grillon opened a hotel in Mayfair. Years later, an offshoot opened in a pair of Georgian houses off Grosvenor Square. As the area was redeveloped, a new hotel was built in their place.
Named after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, the Coburg was a popular destination. It became the Connaught in 1917 to honor Queen Victoria?s third son, Prince Arthur, the first Duke of Connaught.
In grand Victorian tradition, doormen don top hats and white gloves to welcome diners. The entrance hall features a magnificent mosaic floor and grand staircase. Tea is served in the ?Red Room? (trolley service) and the ?Drawing Room? (cake stands) from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Film stars like Sharon Stone and Lauren Bacall are among the luminaries who have enjoyed the Connaught's ?Traditional Tea?. The tea costs £24and is beautifully served on blue patterned Limoges porcelain.
More:
Patricia Breen Connaught Ornaments
The Connaught Hotel
If a country has a ?national beverage? then tea is undoubtedly Great Britain?s. Afternoon tea has been a much-loved tradition and important part of daily life in England for over 150 years.
Prior to afternoon tea, the British ate two daily meals ? breakfast and dinner. During the mid-1700s, the middle and upper classes shifted dinner from midday to the evening. Served at a fashionably late hour, dinner was a protracted, feast-like affair.
In 1662, Catherine of Braganza of Portugal married Charles II from England?s House of Stuart. When the newlywed Catherine arrived in Portsmouth, she brought her tea chest and asked for a cup. Soon after, Catherine deigned tea as the official court beverage. Tea was a rare luxury in Catherine?s day for it was scarce, expensive and highly taxed.
Although the famed English East India Company had formally introduced tea in the 1600s, it took Catherine?s royal influence to make it fashionable. She regularly served afternoon tea to the British court, thus making it popular among the wealthier classes. In due course, the custom swept across England and by 1700, tea was available in over 500 London "tea houses".
One of Queen Victoria?s ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope (1783-1857), the 7th Duchess of Bedford, also had a hand in popularizing afternoon tea.
By now, the noon meal had become very light and the Duchess always found she was hungry by late afternoon. As a solution, her servants snuck her tea and "goodies" to tide her over until dinner, which was served at 8:30 or 9:00. The plan was such a success she invited friends to join her at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle.
The menu featured an array of dainty cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and tea. Given her station in life, everything was elegantly plated and served on low tables, like our coffee tables. Hostesses throughout England quickly followed suit, thus cementing afternoon "low" tea as a social ritual.
During the latter part of the Victorian era?s Industrial Revolution, working families returned home at night totally exhausted. In contrast to the Duchess and her friends, these tables were casually set with affordable meats, bread, butter, pickles, cheese and, of course, tea. Because it was eaten at a high, dining table rather than low tea tables, it was termed "high" tea.
Today, afternoon tea remains a fashionable and graceful event. Tea is served in fine English bone china accompanied by silver serving pieces. Participants enjoy dainty cucumber or watercress sandwiches (no crusts, please!), delicious scones with Devonshire cream, crumpets, sticky buns and other tasty delights.
From Victorian times to the 21st century ? teatime remains a tradition to be savored.
Sources:
Beduhn, Werner. "The Best Afternoon Teas in London." www.elegant-lifestyle.com. Retrieved 22 April 2006.
"High Tea History." www.whatscookingamerica.net. Retrieved 22 April 2006.
Where better to enjoy afternoon tea than the Connaught Hotel, one of London's most distinguished addresses. Located in the posh Mayfair district, the Connaught Hotel has earned a reputation as the place to enjoy this distinctly British tradition.
In 1803, Alexander Grillon opened a hotel in Mayfair. Years later, an offshoot opened in a pair of Georgian houses off Grosvenor Square. As the area was redeveloped, a new hotel was built in their place.
Named after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, the Coburg was a popular destination. It became the Connaught in 1917 to honor Queen Victoria?s third son, Prince Arthur, the first Duke of Connaught.
In grand Victorian tradition, doormen don top hats and white gloves to welcome diners. The entrance hall features a magnificent mosaic floor and grand staircase. Tea is served in the ?Red Room? (trolley service) and the ?Drawing Room? (cake stands) from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Film stars like Sharon Stone and Lauren Bacall are among the luminaries who have enjoyed the Connaught's ?Traditional Tea?. The tea costs £24and is beautifully served on blue patterned Limoges porcelain.
More:
Patricia Breen Connaught Ornaments
The Connaught Hotel
If a country has a ?national beverage? then tea is undoubtedly Great Britain?s. Afternoon tea has been a much-loved tradition and important part of daily life in England for over 150 years.
Prior to afternoon tea, the British ate two daily meals ? breakfast and dinner. During the mid-1700s, the middle and upper classes shifted dinner from midday to the evening. Served at a fashionably late hour, dinner was a protracted, feast-like affair.
In 1662, Catherine of Braganza of Portugal married Charles II from England?s House of Stuart. When the newlywed Catherine arrived in Portsmouth, she brought her tea chest and asked for a cup. Soon after, Catherine deigned tea as the official court beverage. Tea was a rare luxury in Catherine?s day for it was scarce, expensive and highly taxed.
Although the famed English East India Company had formally introduced tea in the 1600s, it took Catherine?s royal influence to make it fashionable. She regularly served afternoon tea to the British court, thus making it popular among the wealthier classes. In due course, the custom swept across England and by 1700, tea was available in over 500 London "tea houses".
One of Queen Victoria?s ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope (1783-1857), the 7th Duchess of Bedford, also had a hand in popularizing afternoon tea.
By now, the noon meal had become very light and the Duchess always found she was hungry by late afternoon. As a solution, her servants snuck her tea and "goodies" to tide her over until dinner, which was served at 8:30 or 9:00. The plan was such a success she invited friends to join her at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle.
The menu featured an array of dainty cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and tea. Given her station in life, everything was elegantly plated and served on low tables, like our coffee tables. Hostesses throughout England quickly followed suit, thus cementing afternoon "low" tea as a social ritual.
During the latter part of the Victorian era?s Industrial Revolution, working families returned home at night totally exhausted. In contrast to the Duchess and her friends, these tables were casually set with affordable meats, bread, butter, pickles, cheese and, of course, tea. Because it was eaten at a high, dining table rather than low tea tables, it was termed "high" tea.
Today, afternoon tea remains a fashionable and graceful event. Tea is served in fine English bone china accompanied by silver serving pieces. Participants enjoy dainty cucumber or watercress sandwiches (no crusts, please!), delicious scones with Devonshire cream, crumpets, sticky buns and other tasty delights.
From Victorian times to the 21st century ? teatime remains a tradition to be savored.
Sources:
Beduhn, Werner. "The Best Afternoon Teas in London." www.elegant-lifestyle.com. Retrieved 22 April 2006.
"High Tea History." www.whatscookingamerica.net. Retrieved 22 April 2006.
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