Afternoon tea at Laduree.

03.09

Late summer sunshine. Hot chocolate so thick you almost need a spoon to drink it. Salted caramel macarons. Flaky croissants. Handsome company. Drinking champagne on one of Covent Garden’s famous terraces. Ingredients for a beautiful Sunday, right?

A few weeks ago the team at TRULY, a luxury gift experience company, got in touch to ask if Jason and I might like to head into London for one of their signature dining experiences. We said yes, of course, because who in their right mind would turn down such a wonderful opportunity? The dining experience we selected was the world famous champagne afternoon tea at Ladurée, right in the centre of beautiful Covent Garden. I didn’t realise when we chose it that Ladurée’s tea room overlooks Covent Garden piazza, and that I’d get to fulfil a life-long ambition of having a meal on one of the balconies! The only drawback to this was that I spent pretty much the entire couple of hours we were having our afternoon tea trying to get Jason to tear his eyes away from whatever escapologist/magician/’comedian’ was currently performing in the square and actually talk to me instead ;)

It sort of felt as though summer was having its last hurrah on Sunday- the sunshine was warm and strong, but interrupted by a brisk autumnal breeze that already has begun to pull leaves from the trees. I put together a little film of our afternoon, so do have a little watch of that, if you’d like. It was such a fun one to put together!

Cider-with-Rosie-Laduree-afternoon-tea Laduree-afternoon-tea-Covent-Garden

The tea itself was as gorgeous (and abundant, oh my!) as you’d expect from a place as beautiful as Ladurée, with the sort of polite, attentive service that takes a dining experience from being good to excellent. We started with a couple of glasses of their own rosé champagne, then ordered a selection of hot drinks, finger sandwiches (the smoked salmon was beautiful!), viennoiseries (which apparently is the correct term for baked goods like croissants/brioche/pain au chocolat- who knew!?), pastries, and of course, macarons!

Everything we ate and drank was absolutely delicious, but the raspberry passionfruit tarts still stood out by a clean mile. They were fresh, light, sharp, and creamy all at once, with beautifully short, biscuitty pastry- quite possibly the best pastry I’ve ever, ever eaten. Those layered chocolate pastries were pretty divine too, with their combination of raspberry infused chocolate cake and dark, rich ganache. On the way over to Covent Garden Jason and I had toyed briefly with the idea of stopping into Patty & Bun on our way back home to grab burgers for dinner, but afternoon tea was so filling and indulgent that we couldn’t even think about eating anything else by the time we were finished!

Laduee-afternoon-tea

I’d not come across Give Truly before they reached out to me, and have been so impressed with their excellent service. We were so grateful for how helpful, flexible, and patient they were when getting us booked in for afternoon tea, and everything from the beautiful lavender-scented gift box containing our booking details that arrived a few days before our gift experience, to the afternoon tea itself, was outstanding. Definitely a company I’d recommend and will certainly turn to again myself, especially when choosing Christmas and birthday presents for hard-to-buy-for friends and family!

Now, let’s talk afternoon tea! Where’s your favourite place to go? :)

Give-Truly-Laduree-afternoon-tea

What I wore ::  Jigsaw cardigan (past season, similar), Boden trousers, Hobbs flats, Mulberry Bayswater.

p.s. Though our afternoon tea came c/o of the lovely team at TRULY, this post is not sponsored and my opinions are, as always, honest & unbiased.

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24 Comments
Posted in afternoon tea, LONDON, YOUTUBE
  • http://www.thisparticular.blogspot.com Ala Skrakowski

    I have no words. That looks absolutely delicious! I love love love afternoon tea. I’ve been for afternoon tea at The Dorchester, it was amazing. I would imagine the atmosphere at Ladurée is probably a lot more chilled though, which would be more up my street! Looks like a fab experience! x

  • http://www.madelinefedmont.com Madeline
  • http://www.intoruth.com/ Ruth

    I’ve never come across ‘Give Truly’ before today but it seems like a great site. Might be one to look back on when Christmas time rolls around.

  • http://mutedmornings.blogspot.se Mimmi

    Stunning video and photos! Looks like you had such a lovely time :) I adore afternoon tea, although I’ve only ever had a proper one once… Laduree’s seems amazing! My mouth is seriously watering, haha.

    xx Mimmi, Muted Mornings

  • http://mochaandmoccasins.com Monica @ Mocha and Moccasins

    I remember trying a few different kinds of Laudree macarons when I had a layover in the Paris airport and I instantly fell in love with the light, delicious flaky pastries. I would love to have tea there one day! Those raspberry passionfruit tarts sound refreshing!

    M.

  • http://www.goldenwanderlust.com ekaete

    This looks incredible. I’ve had many an afternoon tea but this one looks magical.
    Lovely post x

    http://www.goldenwanderlust.com

  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    What an incredible opportunity! I love Laduree so I can only imagine what their tea was like! I’m slightly jealous ;) xx

  • http://thelondonplaybook.wordpress.com Kat

    This sounds amazing, and the pastries and cakes look DELICIOUS. Will definitely have to add it to my list of must-visit afternoon tea venues!

    Kat | http://thelondonplaybook.wordpress.com

  • http://www.jemimajaneblog.com jemima

    Oh my goodness you lucky lady – what a wonderful experience! I’d love to visit here and sample their tea… Looks absolutely yummy. I’ve had Laduree on my bucket list for some time now, this is inspiring me further to make it happen!

    x jemima
    http://jemimajaneblog.com

  • http://www.blondeofcarbs.com Jessica Edmunds

    Oh wow this looks really lovely, you’ve given me an idea for my 21st now as I was stuck xxx

  • http://lavidalaura.com/ Laura

    This video is so cute! And I love a good afternoon tea, particularly when it involves salted caramel macarons :)

  • https://swanlake1701.wordpress.com/ NGOC LAN

    Wow!!! The video is so interesting that I keep replaying many times. The way you cut the cake and sip the cup of coffee is so attractive. I guess you and Jason had a great time together. I love the photos and your writing as well. Afternoon tea seems very popular in England.

  • http://ancaslifestyle.co.uk/ Anca

    Everything looks yummy. I believe it was very enjoyable.

    Anca @ ancaslifestyle | UK

  • http://mukuba2002.blogspot.com zaby

    afternoon tea seems lovely

  • http://stephlui.blogspot.com Stephanie Silv. Lui

    I love having afternoon tea with my besties there too! I miss London even more looking at all those lovely cakes and pastries! Ever tried having afternoon tea at Sketch? might be a tat expensive but it definitely fills a whole! xxx

    http://stephlui.blogspot.com

  • http://helenaterry.blogspot.co.uk Helena

    oh my I am so jealous! everytime I go past Laduree I think it looks like the most wonderful place in the world but I’ve never ventured in. looks like you had a wonderful time and everything looks absolutely delicious- one day I’ll go there. plus I love your outfit, those trousers are lovely
    Helena / helenaterry.blogspot.co.uk

  • http://allienotsally.blogspot.com Allie

    Love love love Laduree! So jealous!

  • http://oddlylovely.com Cat

    I love that you guys made a video out of your day! What a cool way to share the adventure. My favorite would probably be the sea salt caramel macaroons. I’ve had some here in California and they were to die for!

    Cat
    http://oddlylovely.com

  • http://somewhereyonder.blogspot.co.uk/ Claire (@Kurea_San)

    Great video – love how you captured some of London’s streets and performers. And those raspberry tart/cakes look amazing! Yum.
    Claire xx

  • http://www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com chelsea

    Oh how delicious!! I have always wanted to go to an afternoon tea, it always looks so decadent. I had never tasted a macaroon and was always so curious, so my sweet hubby surprised me with a box, shipped in for our anniversary, it was pretty dreamy!

    http://www.hollandsreverie.blogpspot.com

  • http://www.easylittletiger.com amanda

    love this, i’ve been wanting to hit the one in nyc!

  • http://www.writteninblackwhite.blogspot.com Bethany Dale

    Your so lucky! Those pictures looks good enough to eat
    Beth xx http://www.writteninblackwhite.blogspot.com

  • http://landscapesandcupcakes.com/ Victoria Wade

    oooo looks gorgeous! I’m a complete afternoon tea-aholic! have you been to the Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea at the Sanderson? it’s so much fun and the food is divine! :) x

  • Chris (TRULY)

    I’m so delighted that you enjoyed the afternoon tea at Ladurée, Rosie. Are there any other TRULY experiences you or any of your readers have an eye on? :)

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