Helen Wilcock visits CUT at 45 Park Lane for a patriotic-inspired afternoon tea with all the trimmings
Nothing says independence quite like inhaling as many carb-laden calories as one would like.
To celebrate America’s Independence Day, CUT at 45 Park Lane in Mayfair launched a specially curated 4th July afternoon tea. And it proves to be exactly my kind of freedom.
One of, if not the biggest date in the American calendar (other than the Super Bowl, of course) celebrations around the 4th July have a fairly memorable theme.
Typically focused on red, white and blue style food and drink, we expected nothing less when we headed to the Mayfair hotel.
Part of the prestigious Dorchester Collection, 45 Park Lane is an opulent hotel overlooking Hyde Park with an in-house restaurant and bar curated by Wolfgang Puck. In fact, the restaurant was Puck’s very first European outpost.
The luxury interiors are contemporary and artistic, with an intimate feel despite its size. CUT at 45 Park Lane features bold leather seating, large crystal chandeliers and mirrored tables with live music from an acoustic singer. I love it immediately.
A twist on a modern American steak restaurant, CUT showcases fascinating art alongside its mouthwatering dishes.
I couldn’t wait to sample the ‘Taste of America’ afternoon tea as the menu clearly celebrated iconic American dishes.
We began with the savoury offerings, which included mini versions of mac & cheese, a wagu beef slider, a lobster po’boy, lollipop fried chicken and tuna tartare.
Our favourite was the wagu slider, you can taste the amazing quality of the beef and we could have eaten multiple.
The lobster po’boy was also delicious with big chunks of meaty lobster in a mini brioche bun. It was tiny, but wonderful.
The savoury items were then followed by scones with clotted cream, jam and passionfruit curd and a thick strawberry milkshake.
Topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, this milkshake was unlike any I have had before.
The fruity sweetness had me going back for sip after sip, and although this definitely not a healthy option, it certainly put a smile on my face.
For the final round of dishes, it was time to the sweets. These five pastries included a red velvet cake pop, key lime pie, New York cheesecake, peanut butter & jelly twinkie and devils chocolate cake.
After the other dishes we tried we had high expectations and they did not disappoint.
Each one offered a little twist on the classic cake. The cheesecake had plump blueberries hidden in its centre, the cake pop was served in a hundreds and thousands bowl and the chocolate cake was layer upon layer of divine ganache.
The Wordrobe Verdict
A CUT above the rest. Devouring 45 Park Lane’s patriotic afternoon tea was a delicious experience. The food was simply divine and I could have eaten three rounds of the savoury options.
It is also very clear that only the best quality produce is used in the dishes and this shone through in flavour.
From the door men to the waiting staff the service was attentive and yet not overbearing, a balance that can be hard to find.
If you’re looking for afternoon tea that’ll leave you waving the flag for all things decadent, then be sure to visit 45 Park Lane for a lavishly tasty experience.
Make it happen
Where: 45 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1PN
Wallet: £55 per person. To make a booking, please click here.
Words by Helen Wilcock
