Afternoon Tea at The Kimpton Fitzroy

Updated 13 May 2021

Afternoon Tea at Palm Court, Kimpton Fitzroy: A Surprising but Indulgent Escape

Potatoes whipped to creamy perfection, laced with truffle, quail eggs, Melba toast, and that's just the palate cleanser!

And if I ate nothing else following that, I would have been fine.

Okay, so not quite the truth!

Those First Impressions

If anything, I'm now willing the arrival of the full afternoon tea menu. A selection of savoury, scones and sweets said to be inspired by the four quadrants of Humphry Repton's designs for Russell Square Gardens in Bloomsbury. A grade II listed garden, just across the road.

I hasten to note, Palm Court does not overlook the gardens but the equally listed grade II building housing it does. That is, The Kimpton Fitzroy, formerly Principal Hotel Russell, formerly Le Meridien Russell, formerly Hotel Russell. Yes, this building has a history.

And it dawned on me, that this room which once chameleoned for conferences, weddings, bar mitzvahs now portrayed itself as the Palm Court! A simple but sophisticated palette of greys, creams, blacks, a pop of greenery! Painted brightly by the rays of sunshine, the remodel invited in.

And Atmosphere

It was rather quiet when I sat down to a glass of Taittinger on the house. This however, may have been down to the time of day. Ten minutes past noon. Unusual, yes, given that afternoon tea came about to bridge the meal gap between lunch and dinner.

A Pouring shot - mandatory / Fitzroy Kimpton Hotel London

The coffee lover in me begrudgingly went through the tea menu. Choose a pot of oolong. If your palate prefers a more smooth and delicate experience when it comes to tea, then I recommend this option.

The Savouries

Afternoon Tea in London, it's in the name and then so much more at the Palm Court. The elegant surroundings, knots of chilled conversation and yes, some stand out sandwiches.

Sandwiches of goats curd - so fresh and fluffed with fig mustard in onion bread. Double the portion? Yes, please. Though, I may be a tad bit biased, even when my love of it is unrequited. Smoked trout, fennel and apple, sandwiched nicely between slices of beetroot bread - a close silver medal. Because what is afternoon tea without a fish filling?

Afternoon Tea Sandwiches at Kimpton Fitzroy London

When your lips fail to convey your excitement but your waiter understands and indulges you in double portions, you know you're in good hands.

Their Afternoon Tea Scones (A Moment of Truth)

Except, I'm filling the space previously earmarked for the scones.

Still, the matcha and sesame seed, part of the afternoon tea scone selection called out to me, like a boarding call. Let's say, it 'flew' me away. Bypassing the jam and cream, it delivered on its own. For the more conservative, there are the more classic scones, everything freshly baked. But having tried the matcha flavoured scone, there was no going back.

From the afternoon tea sweet tray - Kimpton Fitzroy London

The Afternoon Tea Sweets

Enticed by a tray of carnivalesque coloured sweet treats at another table, I forewent the remainder of my two scones.

The sweet tray promised much and delivered significantly more. A square of cake infused with passion fruit and guava hit immediately. The raspberry rose crème fraiche (chosen admittedly for its Instagram appeal, shhh), proved just as exciting on the palate as it was on the eye.

Would You Stay Longer at the Kimpton Fitzroy London?

You'd be forgiven for wanting to hide away here, so laid back is the atmosphere. Or stay a while longer, much longer, rolling into an overnight stay. Perhaps in one of the hotel's corner suites.

Die-hard fans of the Titanic may draw similarities in some of the property's main areas. After all, they were both designed by the same architect, Charles Fitzroy Doll.

But first, your afternoon tea.

Do you put cream or jam first? And when it comes to afternoon tea, where's your go-to?

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