We arrived late, but had phoned ahead and our reservation had been held.  I don't think it would have been so laid back at the Ritz where taking tea is such an institution and 'event' that it is booked up weeks in advance and any deviation from the timings would throw out their schedule.  The Cadogan was much more louche about things; it might lack the name-dropping cachet of the Ritz, but there was no lack of quality in the food or ambiance and the service was helping and charming.  This is, after all, the hotel in which Oscar Wilde was arrested for being conspicuously homosexual so they are used to the more bohemian end of society lazing around on their sofas all afternoon.

Tea is served in a very pleasant wood-paneled drawing-room decorated with tasteful oil paintings of the florid historical style and potted orchids.  We chose the table with the squashy paisley sofa, as I have an addiction for paisley and it reminded me of gentleman's smoking jackets.  It was all very comfy and cosy.  I had booked online through www.afternoontea.co.uk which is currently running a special offer of half price champagne tea.  I had anticipated that my companion would take care of my glass of champers as I'm teetotal, but he  balked at two glasses and so we offered the extra glass to the two ladies having tea at the table next to us who were more than happy to oblige.


The menu was the standard fare of finger sandwiches, fresh warm scones and fancy pastries as well as a selection of teas with darling write-ups.  Our waiter was kind enough to let me keep a copy of the menu so I'll post some of the descriptions later but I did love seeing tea described as effusively as wine.  The sandwiches were crustless but not to dainty, with a good flavourful filling - good quality meat and fish, and an egg & cress to rival the Ritz's .  If you mention in advance that you're vegetarian they will offer more alternatives beyond the egg & cress and cucumber options. 

The sandwiches plates were whisked away and the two-tiered cake stand brought in - this meant that your scones didn't get cold while you were eating your smoked salmon sarnies.  As with the first course,  beautifully fluffy, not to small, and prettily dusted with icing sugar which invariably ends up down your suit jacket, but there was plenty of jam and cream.  In case one was far too genteel to open a pot of jam for oneself, the waiter obliges by wresting the lid off the mini-pots of Tiptree's best raspberry with a florish and a  pop. 


After warm scones, there is the final decadent treat of fancy pastries.  In my opinion, these should look like little jewels - small works of culinary art that are beyond  the average  domestic kitchen.  They shouldn't look like everyday food...Unusually, the Cadogan served two each of three varieties of treat.  I say 'unusually' because while you get the same amount elsewhere, it's often a wider variety of goodies on display.  The advantage is there's a greater choice of the confectioner's art to pick from, but then you have to have a terribly polite debate and negotiation over who gets what. This can lead to violence, and poking people with cake forks. At least in this situation you both get to try it all...I especially enjoyed the smallest pavlova I've ever seen - so tiny that a single blackberry and raspberry were only just able to nestle inside.  Pictured below, with a standard tea spoon for scale.