I do always love it when news plops into my inbox of the new Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley. Certainly the most fashionable afternoon tea in town, it's the perfect excuse for a seasonal treat with the girlfriends.
The latest AW15 offering certainly doesn't disappoint, celebrating this season’s catwalk collections with chic, fashion-inspired cakes, mousses and biscuits. Dolce & Gabbana’s ‘Viva La Mama’ dress of the season is recreated as a lychee and almond mousse with rose detailing, while the array of feminine pink hues at Alexis Mabille are reimagined with vanilla panna cotta and chestnut cream duchesse satin, topped with a large pink chocolate bow. Also stepping off the runway is this season’s hottest heel as a cinnamon Mary Jane biscuit, decorated with a sprinkling of delicate rose petals and sparkling sugar crystals à la Dolce & Gabbana.
Following the recent launch of her first store, Simon Rocha was a firm favourite with The Berkeley's chefs, who have turned her ethereal embroidered tulle dress into a vanilla éclair filled with salted caramel crème patissiere decorated with red sugar flowers. Other fashion favourites include Moschino’s quirky cartoon-inspired nu-rave cream and orange financier dress and coconut savarin topped with a button of yellow and red chocolate. Alice Temperley’s flutura skirt becomes a gianduja chocolate supreme set on sable Breton glazed with chocolate mirroire, sprinkled with edible gold and a bright blue chocolate flower. Valentino adds a further splash of colour with a rockstud striped Victoria sponge shoulder bag with cranberry compote amidst mulit-colour striped chocolate, finished with a golden handle. And bringing a touch of winter warmth to finish the collection is Fendi’s double-breasted chocolate biscuit coat with red and brown icing details.
With a such a beautiful collection of bespoke bites, the Prêt-à-Portea is almost too good to eat. Almost. But I might give it a go anyway...
Prêt-à-Portea is served in The Caramel Room at The Berkeley from 1-6pm every day priced at £45 per person (£52 including a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne or £58 per person including a glass of couture champagne). To make a reservation for Prêt-à-Portea call 020 7235 6000
Love Laurel x
