MARY POPPINS AFTERNOON TEA AT AQUA SHARD
Take a trip down memory lane with an exciting new afternoon tea inspired by the much loved work of P.L. Travers.
Available until Sunday 3rd November 2019, at aqua shard on level 31, guests will be taken on a playful journey down memory lane, with an exciting series of nostalgic and creative sweets and savouries that pay homage to Travers' books.
Guests will be immediately immersed in Travers’ imaginary world, as they are presented with a menu that takes form as a gilt gold framed mirror - a recurring symbol throughout the books depicting Mary’s vanity and her ‘practically perfect’ reflection.
Served on a custom-made tea stand with an umbrella on top and silver booted feet below – with crockery that comes to life with Mary Shepard’s original illustrations of Mary Poppins – the tea will follow the format of a quintessentially British afternoon tea with unconventional twists.
To start, the savoury selection will include traditional finger sandwiches (Cackleberry farm egg and truffle, Dingley Dell honey roast ham and mustard, Ploughman’s and a Devon crab and cucumber brioche), as well as crumpets - Mary Poppins’ favourite - with miniature versions served warm with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
After, enjoy Mrs Brill’s homemade scones with jam and clotted cream. Two bespoke teas will complement the experience: ‘Mary’s Tea’, which is an exotic blend of Darjeeling from India, Ceylon from Sri Lanka and Keemun and rose petals from China; and ‘Bert’s Tea’, a smoky combination of Souchong and Keemun from China, Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka and vanilla flavouring and cornflower from Sussex. If you choose to add some fizz to the experience, Champagne flutes come to life with a kite that flies from the glass and guests can choose to add ‘medicine’ to their glass, with the choice of three homemade liqueurs.
A quirky array of sweet treats include a ‘Strike Me Pink Sponge’ which imagines one of Travers’ famous quotes in edible form; Mary Poppins’ very own hat can be enjoyed with a black ‘Cherry Tree Lane’ mousse covered in dark chocolate, and Fairground Candy Floss is served from a stand in the restaurant.
For little ones who are only just venturing into the wonderful world of PL Travers and Mary Poppins, they can enjoy a raspberry and rhubarb ripple flavoured ice cream float on top of old fashioned lemonade.
The Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea will be served in the triple-storey atrium of aqua shard, boasting panoramic views of London’s skyline. Served every day from 1.00-5.00pm, the afternoon tea is priced at £49 per person, or £66 with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne, and £72 with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rosé.
Coinciding with the relaunch of the five original Mary Poppins classic books from HarperCollins Children’s Books, the aqua shard Mary Poppins afternoon tea is licensed and approved by the P.L. Travers estate and all original Mary Shepard illustrations are licensed by Harper Collins Publishers. View the timeless stories, featuring everyone’s favourite magical nanny in the restaurant in giant form as you enter for afternoon tea.
Reservations are open on a three month rolling basis. To book, please visit the website www.aquashard.co.uk, call 020 3011 1256 or email [email protected].
