Today I’m taking you out for tea. But not just any tea. It’s time for afternoon tea on high at TING Restaurant in Shangri-La The Shard. Ready for something special?
TING is on Level 35 of one of London’s most iconic (and its tallest) buildings. The Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano who took inspiration from the spires of London’s churches and the masts of tall ships depicted by the 18th-century Venetian painter Canaletto. Officially inaugurated in 2012 it’s a fairly new addition to London’s skyline and seems to rise majestically from the Thames, sparkling in the sunlight. The five-star Shangri-La The Shard Hotel occupies 19 floors of The Shard, starting on Level 35 which is where both reception and TING Restaurant can be found.
As I enter the lobby I’m always filled with a sense of anticipation. There’s that unique aroma – Essence of Shangri-La – to inhale and the welcoming displays are always breathtaking. Today it’s spring so seasonal flowers abound in a riot of colour, leading to the lift which speedily takes you up to your destination. Obviously, as we’re so high up, the London views go on for miles and are gasp-inducing. The floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the panorama looking both ways down the snaking Thames, taking in most of London’s landmarks. We soon settled in at our window-side table ready for a tea-time feast. And boy did we get one!
What’s on the Menu
Afternoon tea always starts with my favourite bit. Finger sandwiches. How I love a finger sandwich done properly which they were today, obviously. The softest, freshest of crustless bread filled with a selection of mouthwatering flavours. Today we tucked into coronation chicken (naturally), smoked salmon and cucumber, classic Reuben and truffle egg and cress. Where has truffle egg and cress been all my life – the ultimate in indulgent sandwiches. I could eat them all day.
As someone who doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth I was pleased to see a couple of other savoury delicacies. The cutest and melt-in-the-mouth beetroot heart was made from chicken liver, cheese sable and hibiscus powder. Rich and luscious. And then there was the prawn cocktail Marie Rose presented inside the lightest of choux buns and topped with salmon roe. Savoury selections don’t get better than this!
Next up a show-stopping chocolatey treat in the form of The Shard of Love. Doesn’t that sound lovely! Dramatically presented this clever concoction is designed to be shared between two…that’s a lot of chocolate. Love the hearts.
After we’ve all oohed and aahed over our mini chocolate shard it’s time for the tiers of sweet temptations to arrive. These include the lightest of plain and raisin scones served with cranberry jam and clotted cream. Tea really wouldn’t be tea without a scone, after all.
There is also the most moist of carrot cake that crumbles beautifully into my mouth.
The pinnacle of the display is a selection of colourful pastries. Here they are close up. Have you ever seen sweet treats that shout spring like this? And they taste just like it, too. There’s elderflower sponge with strawberry cream and jelly, pistachio profiteroles with sea buckthorn cremeux and pistachio cream and red entremet (a kind of cake) with pomegranate and Szechuan pepper and white chocolate mousse. And butterflies and flowers, too.
I enjoyed a couple of pots of Earl Gray Tea to complete the experience. One traditional and the other Orange Earl Grey. Beautifully refreshing and served with the finest china and in individual silver pots with strainers. Drinking tea like this makes me feel like a Princess. Well, the whole TING, Shangri-La tea experience does that. It’s truly extraordinary.
The Spring of Love Afternoon Tea at TING, Shangri-La is only available for another week until May 8. But I’m not worried – I’m certain their summer offering is going to be an extravaganza to look forward to.
Today’s Price Point
Tea costs £71 per person. It’s substantial and you can order refills if you desire (don’t say no to extras of those sandwiches I say). And of course, tea is unlimited.
TING Restaurant is on level 35 of Shangri-La The Shard, London, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1.
