Afternoon Tea at Bea’s Boutique
Who can resist the allure of spending an afternoon scoffing yummy cakes, sipping refreshing tea and nattering for hours on end with your pals? If this sounds like your idea of fun, then check out Bea’s Cake Boutique which has just opened its latest branch in Marylebone. This really is the perfect place to sit and have a cuppa tea, enjoy the company of good friends and be surrounded by amazing cakes. With stores in Bloomsbury, St Paul’s and Farringdon, Bea’s serves customers across London from fantastic locations in the heart of the city. Although best known for its delicious cupcakes and incredible afternoon tea’s, Bea’s has also been making a name for itself by creating some of the country’s finest wedding and birthday cakes. And most recently, its coffee has taken the city by storm with some of the finest baristas training it staff to the very highest of standards.
However, I was invited for a feast at its newest café in Marylebone – which lived up to its reputation. First of all the location is great. It’s set on the side street of a very swanky area in Marylebone– filled with great homeware and clothes shops which you can browse through to burn off the extra calories consumed during your feast. As soon as you walk into the café, you’re greeted by friendly staff and a quaint decor. Funky light, and textured walls give off a cute and cozy atmosphere.
As soon as you rest in the light pink and blue leather booth, you are hit by the delicious aroma of sweet smelling cakes – and you know you’re in for a treat. The tradition afternoon tea is dished up on a three tier cake stand. On top you will find a selection of mini meringues and fruity marshmallows as well as an array of Valrhona brownies, white chocolate blondies and moist and decadent lemon and raspberry brownies. These treats are amazing – each one flavorsome and baked to perfection. On the middle plate you will find scones served with clotted cream and jam. No afternoon tea is complete without scones – and these do not disappoint. They have a good crust on the outside but are soft and warm on the inside. Lastly, on the bottom tier were sandwiches. These are not traditional finger sandwiches but instead savory treats served on mini brioche buns. My favorites were the honey and fig relish goats cheese curd with beetroot, and the toasted walnuts and smoked salmon with creme fraiche. All this is of course washed down with a pot of loose leaf tea – with selections including traditional classics such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey as well as fruity concoctions such as Totanac Vanilla, Apple & Cinnamon , Delicious Berry as well as Lemon & Ginger Peppermint.
- Bea’s Cake Boutique is at 27A Devonshire Street, London , W1G 6PN. Call 0207 486 9669 or email cakes@beas.london for more information. Afternoon tea costs £26.50 per person and slots are allocated at 1 and a half hours, and 2 hours for groups of 6 or more. All branches are open seven days a week and you can pop in to try cakes, teas and coffees. You can also order personalised cakes online for collection or delivered to your home.
