Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at Sanderson (Restaurant, Hotel)

Top 10 things to know about the Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea:

1) Oh, the tyranny of Oxford Street; with its January sales, Christmas lights and can’t-have must-haves! Escape the lure of shiny bargains, and dive into the rabbit hole of Fitzrovia, home of cool bars, trendy restaurants, and instant relief in an urban oasis.

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2) From the exterior, the Sanderson is an unassuming hotel that could play an extra in a Cold War movie. But this building is anything but normal. The elaborate designs of the foyer, the Long Bar, and the Japanese water garden provide an enchanting and altogether lovely place to enjoy one of London’s best afternoon teas.

3) Fondle menus hidden in old books; play with former ballerina jewellery cases, now home to sugar cubes; take giant whiffs of each of the fragrant potion pots at the table - given names such as Alice and Cheshire Cat - flavours of tea that await.

4) Stiffen your protruding little finger and sip the White Rabbit, a gentle tea to ease you into oblivion. For a sweeter, zanier taste, ask for the fruity Mad Hatter. Better still, as you’ve been so good lately, add a glass of pink champagne; upgrade, you clever monkey!

5) Within moments, beautiful nymphs swoop to your table, with almost-winged swiftness, delivering a savoury prelude on china decorated by Alice in Wonderland’s many characters.

6) Truth to told, you can ask for as many rounds of mini Scotch eggs, cucumber cream cheese lime bread finger sandwiches, and moreish Wiltshire ham croque masseur as you like. However, your addiction to Mary Berry will require lots of room for the Eat Me cake course to follow.

7) Ever eaten a ladybird with a knife and fork? This cute red velvet creature is flanked by an army of creatively sweet friends: edible butterflies; magic (marshmallow!) mushrooms; excellent coffee-flavoured time pieces; Queen of Hearts bourbon biscuits; and something unusual hiding in the foliage.

8) Oh, and hot scones, jam and clotted cream, obviously. Eat these first to save them from cooling. Although, whatever you’re unable to finish can be carried home in a takeaway box.

9) This whimsical afternoon tea should be top of any list for a girls day out; a quirky, hidden gem, shopping pause; a novel business meeting; or a hot date (note the “tipsy” afternoon tea served in the evening).

10) Lewis Carroll would approve....read more