Plenty of people kick-start their morning with a cup of coffee, but the InterContinental London Park Lane has unveiled a new dining experience which is perfect for true coffee fiends. We’ve all heard of High Tea, that most British of institutions, but how would you fare with High Coffee?
Served in the hotel’s Wellington Lounge, High Coffee is a novel twist on afternoon tea, which sees tea blends swapped out for various types of coffee. Each course featured here is paired with a different blend of coffee, all of which are high-grade, handcrafted, hand-roasted, and wood-fired.
The highly caffeinated experience begins with a selection of open sandwiches, with options including free-range chicken, celeriac and sweet pepper remoulade on buttermilk bread, or smoked eel with pickled red onion and caper aioli on a beetroot brioche role. The sandwiches are served alongside your first dose of coffee, which comes in the form of a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.
Next up, you’ll enjoy a Caffé Freddo alongside a cluster of warm savouries – think an open lamb and rosemary pie or a tomato spiral with warm piccalilli. This is followed by a palate cleansing blood orange and ginger sorbet, before you tuck into warm scones slathered with clotted cream and jam (a welcome touch of the traditional in this otherwise unconventional take on High Tea).
To round off your experience, there’s a selection of sweet treats (not that you’ll need the sugar fix after all of that caffeine!). Tempting desserts to try include a Bailey’s chocolate éclair, a macaron with salted caramel, and a lemongrass and lime crème brûlée. The sweet offering is served alongside your choice of Espresso, Latte, Mocha, Macchiato, Cortado, Cappuccino or Canarino.
And because you should always end foodie experiences on an even number, you’ll enjoy a signature Caffé Coretto to finish, taking the total of your intake to four – yes, that’s four – coffees in one afternoon.
So, if you laugh in the face of Cortados, head to High Coffee at InterContinental London Park Lane. It's served daily from 1-5pm, and is priced at £42 per person.
If you can’t get enough of scones and finger sandwiches, take your pick from these 12 brilliant places for afternoon tea in Covent Garden.