Ready your finest garden par-tea ensemble and don't raise your pinky finger (FYI, that's a tea faux pas). Legendary London hotel Claridge's is jetting to Los Angeles from across the pond for the first time in its 150-year history to host a traditional British afternoon teatime residency at its sister hotel, The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Kick up your heels à la Queen Elizabeth on the hotel's sweeping outdoor garden terrace as a white-jacketed team pours a perfect cup of British tea and a menu of California meets English precisely trimmed tea sandwiches, cakes, and scones. Speaking of scones, these ones are the hallowed Claridge's recipe – lemon and ricotta topped with rhubarb jam by Silver Lake's very own Sqirl and the hotel's famed Marco Polo gelée, which is infused with tea. Your tastebuds can thank Claridge's executive chef Martyn Nail for those deftly crafted desserts.
Other bites to bring out the best in your tea will include traditional British smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches sitting alongside Maine lobster and flour tortillas, whipped up by The Maybourne's executive chef Kaleo Adams for Angelenos' appetites. All will be served on peach and white-striped bone china by French porcelain purveyor Bernaurdaud as a grand piano plays in the background.
Maybourne says it will accommodate all dietary restrictions and offer gluten-free options too.
Throughout its week-long residency, Claridge's Afternoon Tea will offer a selection of the world's finest loose-leaf teas – curated by tea connoisseur Henrietta Lovell of Rare Tea Co. In case you're still thirs-tea afterward, you'll be able to satisfy your palette and top off the experience with Laurent Perrier champagne.
Don't steep on this – Claridge's Afternoon Tea is open to the public for a limited time from April 23 to April 30 with a 2 p.m. daily seating at the Maybourne Beverly Hills' third-floor garden terrace. Priced from $150 per person plus sales tax and gratuity. English garden glamour encouraged. Make your reservations here.
The Maybourne Beverly Hills x Claridge's Afternoon Tea Residency, 225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills 90210
