I think most of you know, that I love my mother very, very much! I don’t think, I have met a person with a more beautiful soul ever! When my mother comes to visit from Denmark, we always make sure to have fun and lovely things planned in advance. Sometimes we go to the theatre, other times we go shopping or to the many great markets around in London – and other times we go out for a lovely meal having a real cosy mother/daughter time!
As Mother’s Day is coming up, I decided to take my mother for a real treat, when she visited me last week!
Afternoon Tea at Galvin at The Athenaeum! As I have heard so many great things about this place – and as we are both big fans of a real British Afternoon Tea experience, this was exactly the right thing to do (furthermore I had found the most beautiful present, that I couldn’t wait to give her at this lovely place)
Well, Hello there! Warmly greeted by the lovely and well-dressed staff at The Athenaeum!
Let’s go inside and have a closer look. Shall we?
Independent, award-winning and surely one of a kind, The Athenaeum Hotel is London’s foremost family-run five-star hotel. An original Art Deco building located in the heart of leafy Mayfair (opposite Green Park), The Athenaeum Hotel is the ideal base for a shopping break or a city stay. Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment – and with Michelin-starred chefs The Galvin Brothers at the culinary helm, this Mayfair icon is certainly something, you would want to visit!
A “pre-view” of some of the Afternoon Tea varieties!
I love the interior at Galvin at The Athenaeum. The restaurant is divided into several sections. One for the dining guests, one for lounging and Afternoon Tea – and a beautiful bar for cocktails
Bonus-info: Food at The Galvin celebrates Britain’s culinary tapestry. The brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin have created classic British dishes combined with Galvin favourites . This is the first time the brothers have stepped away from their trademark French-inspired menus in favour of championing Britain’s delicious homegrown produce – and supporting independent farmers across the UK (The Afternoon Tea showcases the country’s best ingredients, such as fresh smoked salmon from Severn & Wye, Cumbrian ham, Kentish strawberries and Devonshire clotted cream. No doubt, that we were in for a treat!)
So here we are. My mother and I! Ready to celebrate pre-mother’s day! Well actually we were three generations sat by the table – but the youngest is hopefully still enjoying a few more months in my tummy before coming out to say hello to the world!
I enjoyed a refreshing mocktail “Peach-blossom” : Peach, bergamot orange and lavender – and my mother was treated with a lovely glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée- served in the most beautiful glass!
The Afternoon tea menu was as refined as the settings. We could choose between several menus consisting of classic finger sandwiches, pastries and cakes – with a glass of fine champagne for extra indulgence
Tea in all kinds of flavours… I went for the Darjeeling First Flush and my mother chose the Royal English Breakfast! They were both lovely and served the way, we preferred them. Not too strong!
You can choose between three different kinds of Afternoon Teas at Galvin at The Athenaeum! Even though the Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea did look quite tempting – we decided to go for the Classic and the Royal version!
This is what a real treat looks like! (and I made sure that the gift to my mother was part of the set-up too)
Our charming waiter, Michelle from Italy, was very much devoted to the food, he was serving! We were greatly entertained by him – and he passionately explained in which order to eat to get the best tasting experience! (At first I thought, he was French – and I was met with high complaints! I explained to him, that my boyfriend is French, so he should take it as a compliment! He didn’t!) My mother and I were practically lying on the floor laughing! Got to love the Italians!
Time for presents! We were both very much in love with this beautiful box
I was almost as excited as my mother! I simply adore this beautiful engraved mixed metal eternity duo necklace from Merci Maman. I chose to have it engraved with the words “On t’aime Maman x” “Louise & ….” (my baby-girl’s name is still a secret!)
Happy Mum! If you love the products from Merci Maman as much as I do, I have a very special treat for you. Get 15% off by using this code: lulu15mm (on ALL orders until 31/3) I am the proud owner of some beautiful engraved bracelets – and I will for sure persuade Frenchie to get me a necklace as well!
Mocktails, champagne, delicious food and presents in luxurious and comfortable surroundings! This was turning out to be a really great day!
The sandwich selection from the Classic Afternoon Tea menu: Cumbrian beef and horseradish, Galvin cure smoked salmon, Burford brown egg and watercress, Dingley Dell ham and Maille mustard
They were all lovely – but the salmon was our favourite! Just beautiful!
The sandwich selection from the Royal Afternoon Tea menu: Egg drumkilbo, English cucumber and cream cheese, Jubilee chicken, Cumbrian beef and horseradish
Egg drumkilbo… It tasted so good, that I could almost hear the angels sing! Luckily we were spoiled by Michelle, so we got as many as we wanted!
The classic plain and fruit scones were lovely – I particularly enjoyed them with fresh, clotted cream, but the top of the pops were with no doubt the pastries. We both agreed, that these were some of the best pastries, we have had on our amazing Afternoon Tea journeys around in London
Selection of Pastries from the Royal Afternoon Tea menu: Mulled pear tart, Fairy cakes with butter cream, Coconut macaroon, Blueberry & lemon Eton mess tart, Scottish shortbread. The winner: The coconut macaroon
Pastries from the Classic Afternoon Tea menu: Morant Bay chocolate slice, Tropical tart, Praline éclair, Mulled pear tart, Clementine macaron. The winners: The praline éclair and the morant bay chocolate slice!
A wonderful day to remember!
We decided to finish our Afternoon Tea with another Peach-blossom mocktail and then head into the bar for a sneak peak
Cosy times at the bar at The Athenaeum
Bartender Richard made sure, that we didn’t need anything!
Here you can enjoy classic movies – and well… I guess the selection of alcohol speaks for itself! This certainly is a place, one could spend many hours with luxurious cocktails in good company
I almost forgot to mention, that you also get to choose from several cakes after having finished your Afternoon Tea. We were so full, so there was no way, we could have eaten anymore. Luckily, Galvin offers you to bring the cakes home – something that Frenchie greatly appreciated, when he came back from work
My mother and I had such a lovely time at Galvin at The Athenaeum! I highly recommend this place for a few hours shopping break in cosy/ chic surroundings! Also it is perfect for a day out with your mother or a romantic date. One fine day, I would love to stay a night at this very luxurious hotel ( I have heard that the spa here is quite something)
X Louise
Another lovely post, Louise. I’m totally in love with Afternoon Tea and this one looks so special, will definitely keep it in mind for next time.
Another Afternoon Tea fan? 🙂 It certainly was special – especially the pastries were out of this world. Thank you for reading my post, Caroline
X Louise
That looks so delicious! Loved to read it, especially the bit with the italian waiter ;-D
Haha Arwin, you should have been there! He was all over the place! It was like Afternoon Tea with a show! I gave them extra tips just because of him! It’s been a while, since my mother and I have laughed so much! Just brilliant!
X Louise
Afternoon tea is an ideal way to celebrate Mother’s Day. I’m taking my mum to a resort in Pembrokeshire, Wales for the week. I can’t wait for a little getaway myself too!
Oh wow, Kacie! That sounds like such a lovely idea! Will
definitely think about doing something similar next year – and maybe bring baby too 🙂
X Louise
Looks like you had such a special time with you Mum. The afternoon tea looks so pretty and yummy!
Got to love Afternoon Tea, right? Especially, when everything is freshly made with the best ingredients! Heavenly experience! 😀
X Louise
Lovely post! I’ll have to try this place next time! I’m rather obsessed with afternoon tea!!!
Gorgeous photos!
It is hard not to be obsessed with Afternoon Tea. I just love how you can sit there for several hours being all girly with beautiful food!
X Louise
Your mum looks so cute!!! And super excited for you to celebrate your own Mum’s Day! I’m sure your baby will be super gorgeous too!
My mum is adorable. I know! I am so lucky with her! Thank you for all your sweet words, Honey. It is indeed an exciting time for all of us 😀
X Louise
English tea has always been on my bucket list. 🙂 I loved seeing pics of you and your mom enjoying your tea! Gavin’s looks awesome!
Great way to celebrate Mother’s Day! 🙂
It was the perfect day for us. Being pregnant I can’t really run around in town. So just sitting there in beautiful surroundings with lovely food and my mother, was such a treat 🙂
X Louise
You know me and Afternoon Tea – throw in some Art Deco and I am there! Maman looks beautiful with her new necklace (and how on-trend is she with her stripey tracky bottoms!) Scarlett x
My mother is always super smart. I think she outrank me when it comes to style… Well, she basically is a Superwoman! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful person in my life 🙂
X Louise
Afternoon tea is just the perfect way to celebrate mother’s day – looks absolutely delicious at Galvin at The Athenaeum and I love the engraved necklace, gorgeous!
Miriam x
I need that engraved necklace! Told my boyfriend just hoooooow much I loved it hahahah! I think you would like Galvin at The Athenaeum, Miriam. You are a foodie just like me – and we kind of have the same taste in favourite places to dine 🙂
X Louise
Such a lovely post Louise. I am a huge fan of afternoon tea and that looked delightful and the mocktail looked so refreshing. I certainly will put Athenaeum on my list to visit. Looks like you and your lovely mum had a wonderful time, thank you for sharing x
Hi Louise
Welcome to my blog and thank you for your kind words. We most certainly did have a wonderful day at The Athenaeum 🙂
Have a lovely Sunday evening
X Louise
Louise, this is a lovely post, you and your mother are utterly gorgeous. A special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, I’m glad your mother enjoyed herself.
Take care
Helen
x