What a surprise to have the lovely Marion call today and suggest cake at the Orangery in Kensington Gardens. I haven’t been there for years, mainly due to the dreary long queues out the front door and lethargic service. Somehow, today it seemed time to try again, and we were not disappointed, despite the 30 minute wait for a table. This Caramel slice, Coffee and walnut cake, or Belgian Chocolate cake were my big decision….
…while Marion was clear that the meringue with summer fruit compote was the only choice. She did not offer me even a tiny mouthful, so I assume it was as fantastic as it looked.
My tiny cucumber sandwiches, vol-au-vent, sausage rolls and pineapple and cheese were an obligatory start to tea, which I scoffed down as fast as I could in order to get to my chocolate cake.
And may I say the Belgian chocolate cake was a slice of heaven. Thank God I went to the gym for an hour today.
I washed it all down with the Tregothnan afternoon tea blend, a light and exotic blend of the finest Darjeeling tea and the very rare hand-plucked leaves from a unique Estate in Cornwall.
In its own way, the Orangery is the most amazing place for afternoon tea in the world. Set 46m (150 ft.) north of Kensington Palace, it occupies a long narrow garden pavilion built in 1704 by Queen Anne. In homage to her original intentions, rows of potted orange trees bask in sunlight from soaring windows, and tea is served amid Corinthian columns, ruddy-colored bricks, and a pair of Grinling Gibbons woodcarvings.
Get thee to the Orangery on a Sunday, it’s a treat well worth the wait.
The Orangery
Open Daily 3-5pm
In the gardens of Kensington Palace, W8, Kensington
Reservations not accepted
0207 376-0239
