Tea Time at Lanes of London

Like all good stories, this one starts with champagne.

Sat in an opulent but cosy room overlooking Marble Arch, 2 women sat down for a spot of tea.

With the promise of cakes to fuel their gluttony how could they resist the charm of Lanes of London, a place which aims to embody the city they so loved.

Cetainly not I.

And so like all good heroines from stories, Caroline and I gossiped about men, work and other women... well its what makes books so devilishly juicy isn't it?

Whilst we commented on the latest episode of some trash TV, we couldn't help stowing glances at our Jasmine Tea. You know when its brewed as all the tiny flowers open up. This releases their flavour and aroma into the hot water. A very floral tea- a little too, well, garden like, but it is rather refreshing all the same.

Now Heroines from stories are supposed to be graceful and refined... clearly I missed that memo as I couldn't keep a straight face whilst having my photo op time.

After quenching our thirst, we were presented with an amuse bouche of the cake world- a little mini tiramisu. Now I don't want to rave too much, but this was seriously good. I just wished there was more, I could have ate that over and over again... again, not very lady like of me but hey, just call me a modern gal.

But finally the climax of our story- the punchline.

Dramatic pause for effect....

Ooooh

A true classic English afternoon tea.

The sandwiches were traditional crustless fingers, filled with egg and cress, smoked salmon and cream cheese, cucumber and mint and finally ham and pickle.

The scones were buttery and warm. Crunchy on the outside with a fluffy centre, the jam dolloped on top just rolled off. We both commented that it was on of the best jams we'd had out in a long time.

At the top of the tower were the most beautiful cakes. Such gorgeous presentation. There was a little raspberry tart, a chocolate gateaux, a lemon drizzle cake with poppy seeds and a giant strawberry cream macaron.

Theres only one of each, so there will have to be a fight to the death to see who gets each one... or you know you could share... I guess. But wheres the fun in that?