Review: Hokusai-Inspired Art Afternoon Tea at the Rosewood London

This week we discovered an arty afternoon tea at the Rosewood London in Holborn. Being on my first visit here I was bowled over by the ambiance and beautiful conversion of this hotel. As a result, it was no surprise to learn this week that the Rosewood Hong Kong has just nabbed the number one spot on the list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels and the buzz around the newly opened Rosewood Chancery in the former American Embassy on Grosvenor Square Mayfair has been overwhelmingly positive. The Rosewood hotel group just keeps going from strength to strength. 

Hokusai-Inspired Art Afternoon Tea at the Rosewood London. Image courtesy of Rosewood London

Their afternoon tea is no exception to their world class reputation. Set in The Mirror Room of the hotel’s stunning Grade II listed Edwardian Belle Époque building we were served their Hokusai-Inspired Art Afternoon Tea.  The experience is as elegant as the building that hosts it.

The afternoon tea pays homage to the renowned wood-block print artist, Katsushika Hokusai known for his distinctive depictions of landscapes and portraiture. His art and Japanese flavours inspire the menu. We began with a glass Billecart-Salmon champagne, and a selection of savoury Japanese influenced items - Japanese BBQ beef brisket in a soft milk bun with wasabi coleslaw; sake-marinated smoked salmon with yuzu-kosho mayo and caviar which is served on a crisp Japanese rice cake; plus, a delicate egg sandwich topped with grated white truffle. Vegetarians are carefully considered here, with options that look identical. Instead of salmon they used a ribbon of carrot cooked with miso, artfully plated to look like the smoked salmon. Instead of Beef Brisket the milk bun had a scrumptious aubergine filling.

Meat and vegetarian savoury selection. Hokusai-Inspired Art Afternoon Tea at the Rosewood London. Image credit MTotoe.

We each had two different teas during the afternoon giving us the opportunity to try four  teas in total. I think I enjoyed the teas more than the champagne and that’s saying something for me! The teas were exquisite, and as a result I was savouring every cup. It is worth noting the teas are sold here should you wish to take some home with you. I tried the Emperor’s 7 treasures green tea- a stunningly complex tea with a light perfumed lingering taste. Out of curiosity I ordered the Truffle pistachio black tea to see if these flavours could possibly blend coherently. The pleasing aroma hits you first and with the first sip the truffle taste sits ever so gently on the palate followed by a delicate nuttiness. It was heavenly and paired very well with the next course of freshly baked scones (plain & raisin)–fluffy and slightly warm, served with Cornish clotted cream, English strawberry jam and light homemade lemon curd.

Freshly baked scones, served with Cornish clotted cream, English strawberry jam and light homemade lemon curd. Hokusai-Inspired Art Afternoon Tea at the Rosewood London. Image credit MTotoe.

Then came the show-stopper – the “Art Cakes”: A bespoke “Washitsu” reveal box houses three cakes inspired by Hokusai’s work, each miniature a beautiful piece of art.Proudly in the middle is “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”with the painting on the exterior of a column of white chocolate filled with fruity sponge cake flavours and playfully topped with small boba pearls. The craftsmanship is exceptional: mirror glazes, delicate shapes, artful decorationsmaking it a little heart breaking to dig in.

For those in search of an afternoon tea with a twist, that artfully blends creativity, taste, and atmosphere, we can unreservedly recommend The Mirror Room at the Rosewood London where you can enjoy a feast for both the eyes and the senses.

Location: Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN. Price: from £80. Book now 

Website:rosewoodhotels.com Instagram: @rosewoodlondon

  Review by Natascha Milsom