http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel <b>Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley Hotel</b><br />London, Caramel Room, SW1X 7RL, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1h0jb8
Review by expired2008

Rating: 4.00
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This excursion turned out to be a fabulously delicious, although ultra expensive, afternoon. If you are expecting a run of the mill afternoon tea in a posh hotel, you arenâ¬"t fully prepared for what you are about to experience!

The tea itself was outstanding, as was the coffee my partner had. However where they stand out from the crowd is with their patisserie. They were all mouth wateringly delicious.

We also had a range of sandwiches which were all gorgeous and the tastes were amazing.

The hotel itself is decorated wonderfully, itâ¬"s a perfect place to take someone you want to impress! Just donâ¬"t forget to go to the bank first!
]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:34:28 +0000 /review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1h0jb8510860782 expired2008 51.501697114727 -0.15724350442197 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1a25j7
Review by ONscotland

Rating: 5.00
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The Berkeley, five minutes away from Hyde Park Corner has taken Afternoon Tea and turned it on its head. Let's face it, when you are competing with the Ritz, Claridge's (its sister hotel) and every other five star hotel in London, you need something pretty special to make your mark - but The Berkeley has and has made it well.

The previous reviews quite rightly focus on the amazing designs of the pastry chefs at the hotel, and the latest season has just been launched. I can't describe them - suffice to say that they are inspired by the latest fashions on the catwalk - but the pictures should help. Added to the canapes and puddings and biscuits, there are a range of lovely sandwiches, and again The Berkeley is different so they are a bit more adventurous. Chicken and Pesto, Ratatouille sandwiches replace the expected salmon and cucumber. And like everything else, they are replenished as often as you like. And just look at that gorgeous Paul Smith china!

For tea I had a beautiful infusion - Pear and Caramel, which really worked. Imagine the slight tartness of pear with the richness of caramel, it would be my tea of choice if I could get it anywhere else!

Pret-a-Portea is expensive yes, but the service, style and sheer indulgence of the experience means that it is something you won't forget. That's why I pick 'Good Value' for this.]]> Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:38:36 +0000 /review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1a25j71261547558 ONscotland 51.501697114727 -0.15724350442197 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1b82u8
Review by lucyw

Rating: 5.00
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If you're looking for something to impress the lady in your life, you can't go wrong with taking her for afternoon tea at the Berkeley. It's a very girly experience that will cost you a pretty penny but it's a great one off treat.

You take tea in the Caramel Room and when your shown to your table there's a place name waiting to greet you. We had the high couture variety which came with a glass of champagne served in special flutes. Then, along came the cake stand covered in little things of beauty, all inspired by the latest fashion collections. The delicacies varied from shot glasses of colourful mousses to handbag shapped cakes to bikini biscuits to a cake/mouse inspired by the heel of a shoe. There's also a selection of savoury snacks which are more traditional in their appearance with their crusts off and cut into triangles.

It's all delicious and there's no need to fight over who gets what, there's a constant stream of replacements - a bit like all you can eat. And if you can't quite finish them all there and then, you're encouraged to take your goodies home in a stylish take away box. Which is exactly what I did for a fellow afternoon tea fan.]]> Tue, 01 May 2007 21:23:52 +0000 /review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1b82u81429753914 lucyw 51.501697114727 -0.15724350442197 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1x41p8
Review by sue

Rating: 5.00
Tags:
My sister was visiting us from Sydney so a fancy afternoon tea was in order. We wanted something different - none of those traditional sandwiches and scones - so we headed to the Caramel Room at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge to sample their 'Pret-a-Portea'.

From the website:
"Pret-a-Portea is a new concept in afternoon tea. It has been designed to add a creative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea, with the cakes and pastries inspired by the latest fashion season's catwalk designs for the style conscious and with savouries in miniature mouthfuls for the figure conscious."

It was a pretty special indulgence. Instead of the usual finger-sandwiches, the savoury treats were tres gourmet - things like lightly-seared tuna, goats cheese balls, salmon sashimi, mixed seafood, artichoke & asparagus and so on, all really tasty.

The sweet treats looked amazing and for the most part tasted just as good. They were all created based on the latest catwalk looks - from boots to handbags to coats. Check out my photo of the menu for full descriptions of all the cakes. My favourite was the Alexander McQueen Stuart tartan chocolate cake.

They kept replenishing the food - bringing out the savoury and sweet plates at least three times each, which gave us all the chance to try the same things, so no need to squabble over the Valentino leopard chestnut creme handbag or the Yves Saint Laurent frilly passion fruit meringue! And no need for dinner that night either.

*** June 2008 - went back to the Berkeley for another decadent afternoon tea. Still great overall, though the savoury treats were not as good, and it seemed less 'generous' than previously. Still recommended though ***]]> Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:58:38 +0000 /review/uk/london/cafe/1o62g8e/pret-a-portea-at-the-berkeley-hotel/1x41p81096758891 sue 51.501697114727 -0.15724350442197