Thursday 14 December 2023

The Snowman Christmas afternoon tea - Marriott Grosvenor House hotel Park Lane London

 On Saturday I treated my mum to a Christmas Afternoon tea at Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in park Lane. This is our second visit here as went in October last year for my birthday. 

They are doing a Christmas themed  afternoon tea based on the book and film The Snowman. It is priced at £65 per person however I purchased a Buyagift voucher for just £99 for two including a glass of Champagne each. This saved me £67 off the menu price for two.


The afternoon tea is served in the Park Room which overlooks Hyde park across the road. It was very busy outside with people going into the Park opposite for Winter Wonderland. 




The hotel was decorated inside with lots of Christmas trees in the lobby and reception however inside the Park Room there were no decorations for Christmas. 



  

We had a nice table by the window with comfy chairs. The table was nicely laid with a special Snowman menu which we could keep as souvenir. 






The waitress poured us a glass of Champagne each whilst we looked at the full menu








The Snowman Afternoon Tea 

Selection of Delicate Finger Sandwiches

 Honey roast Yorkshire ham, Coleman’s English mustard 

Roast Norfolk Turkey, cranberry sauce 

Roast Aberdeen Angus beef, creamed horseradish  

North Atlantic cold-water prawn, classic Marie Rose sauce 

Cucumber, garden mint butter 

Open Sandwiches 

Foreman’s smoked Scottish salmon, cream cheese 

St Ewe’s egg, mayonnaise, chive 

Plain and Raisin Buttermilk Scones 

Devonshire clotted cream accompanied with your choice of British preserves: Strawberry, rose petal, rhubarb and ginger, gooseberry, raspberry, blackcurrant 

Assortment of Tantalising Afternoon Tea Pastries 

One December Morning: English Sparkling Wine granita 

Midnight Magic: Chocolate mint and vanilla buttercream meringue

 A Friendly Face: Woodruff mousse with tangerine marmalade 

The Snowman: Chocolate and spiced ginger ganache with pineapple

 Snowy Symphony: Hazelnut and praline sponge 

The Enchanted Forest: Salted caramel and spiced milk chocolate tartlet 

Fresh Home Baked Cakes


We informed our waiter that either of us eat fish or seafood and my mum no mayonnaise, mustard or horseradish. They said this would not be a problem. 

Whist waiting for our food my mum ordered a cappuccino and I ordered the Elderflower and lemon tea. 



Before the tea stand arrived we were given a little glass bowl with a lid on that contained a Sparkling wine ice granita. This had a slight lemon flavor and was very refreshing. 








When the afternoon tea stand arrived it looked lovely and my mum got her sandwiches on a separate plate.


They were very generous with the sandwiches as we both got five each plus two mini brioche open rolls each. The sandwiches were very fresh and packed full with fillings. We liked the turkey and cranberry one best.   







The scones were a good size and still slightly warm. We got a plain one and a raisin one each. To go with these we got a dish with scoop of clotted cream and the jams we choose from the menu. We choose three between us raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant. I liked the blackcurrant ones best. There was six to choose from which is a good selection and I remember last time I had the rose petal one which was nice if you like something a bit different. 




The scones with the jam and cream tasted very nice. They were soft and light inside but crispy on the outside.....just how I like them. 


After eating both scones I was feeling bit full so glad we did not accept the offer of more sandwiches.

The top tier of the stand had a plate of five different cakes including a wonderful chocolate snowman standing in the middle. We were both very excited to tuck into them and decided to cut them in half so we both got the same. 

We also ordered another hot drink each to go with the cakes which were more like desserts than cakes 




 









We had the Snowy Symphony: Hazelnut and praline sponge one first which was rich chocolate and more praline than sponge inside . 


 









Next I cut the Friendly Face: Woodruff mousse with tangerine marmalade one in half which was difficult as very soft inside.  We really liked this one as it had a crispy meringue base and then a soft creamy mouse with orange center. Not sure why it was called Friendly Face as it looked like an orange. 





Midnight Magic: Chocolate mint and vanilla buttercream meringue sat on a snowflake crispy biscuit that did not taste of mint however was nice and fluffy with a creamy vanilla taste.  I think the chef forgot to add the mint flavor, we were tempted to let the waiter know but decided not too.  

We then had the The Enchanted Forest: Salted caramel and spiced milk chocolate tartlet which looked like a Christmas tree. The chocolate was rich and you could taste the spice. It was like the spice flavor  in a minced tart. 










Lastly we cut the chocolate snowman in half which was very difficult as it just broke in pieces and the filling oozed out. It was such a shame to cut it as looked so lovely. 
This was probably my favorite as the white chocolate was thick and the filling was delicious with just the right amount of ginger and pineapple. 


Finally after eating  the cakes we both had full belly's and simply could not fit in the homemade cake offered too us. There was a choice of Christmas fruit cake , Chocolate log or Chocolate and raspberry cake.   We both choose the chocolate and raspberry cake to take home in a box. 
I eat mine the following day and it was really nice as the tartness of the raspberry took away the sweetness of the rich chocolate. My mum was lucky as in her box she also got a small slice of Chocolate log !!!!


We had a great time chatting and eating whilst listening to the lovely piano music. 
This is a lovely place to go for afternoon tea with good service and a relaxing atmosphere. 
I liked the Christmas theme which was done very well. 



Nearest Station : Marble Arch underground  station - about 7 minute walk
Best bits :  All the food was really nice but especially the scones and the chocolate snowman     
Worst bits : Nothing to mention   
Value for money : Yes defiantly with my voucher however menu price is still good for the amount and quality of food. 
would I go back? : Yes I would for a third time