Close-up views of London’s iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, bubbles from Silverhand Estate and tasty savouries and sweets make for a laid-back Afternoon Tea experience at Sabine's Rooftop - a perfect summer day out for the girls.
The price for this experience with unlimited bubbles during the 90-minute sitting, which is available weekly from Friday to Sunday between 12pm and 2pm, ranges from £35-45 depending on your choice of drinks.
Outside of an Afternoon Tea experience, I would highly recommend this location for a range of dining occasions, particularly celebratory summer festivities including birthdays, pre-wedding get-togethers, or simply lazy catch-ups in the sun. If the central meeting point doesn’t make everyone happy, the arresting view of the famous dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, which has dominated the City of London’s skyline for over 300 years, will.
Within five minutes of hopping off the tube at Blackfriars station, I had arrived at Leonardo Royal Hotel. I was welcomed warmly by the hostess and seated in a prime position, where bubbles were served. The sparkling wine by English company Silverhand Estate, ‘made in the heart of the Kent countryside’, boasted delicate aromas, and tasted light and refreshing. The word ‘drinkable’ comes to mind.
With my table overlooking the dome, pictures with food and drinks all looked fantastic. There is both an outdoor space with sun umbrellas and a glass inside area.
As the case is anywhere, certain tables offer better views than others, but unless the venue is packed out, you’re likely to end up with a great outlook as a walk-in visitor.
As London usually tends toward bland, this menu of light savoury bites is fantastic for international guests who appreciate tang and spice. The lobster roll with sriracha spiced mayo hit the spot with a great combination of textures and flavours, setting a high bar for the rest of the savouries. The cucumber ribbons with whipped ricotta and fresh mint on granary bread offered a burst of fresh and nicely balanced flavours. The poached chicken on crisp bread was flawless. Next I tried the sausage roll with fennel which was delicious and hearty. The asparagus and quinoa tart was perfectly crumbly and somehow wonderfully decadent.
So impressed by the tastiness and variety of the savouries was I that the poor quality of the sweets made me rather disappointed. Although the cream that accompanied the scones was lovely, the scones were very hard, and this was something of a letdown.
The other desserts also did not taste freshly made. Freshly baked scones accompanied by appetising, sweet mouthfuls are an important component of any Afternoon Tea.
If I was judging this experience purely based on the savouries, wine, atmosphere and service, I would be giving Sabine Rooftop a full five stars. Unfortunately the poor quality of the desserts, which included a fruit tart, a chocolate and hazelnut delice, ‘strawberry lollipops’ and a panna cotta, has pulled down what would be a perfect score to 3.5 stars. I was surprised to find that each of the desserts, particularly the strawberry lollipop, tasted like something pulled out of a packet from a convenience store. Amid the fantastic vibe, the inspiring view and ambience and delicious wine and savouries, they were truly out of place.
As there is an added sugar rush with all the bubbles diners are drinking, I would simplify the sweets offering and if possible, make the sweets in house. While a (potentially debaucherous) day or night full of fun and drinking is the essence of the experience, the offering is not totally unsophisticated, and is selling itself a bit short by offering child’s birthday party-type sweets instead of garden party delights.
Sabine Rooftop, Bottomless Garden Party Afternoon Tea Menu:
Savoury:
- Mini Lobster Rolls
- Cucumber, Ricotta, Mint & granary Bread
- Poached Chicken on Crisp Bread
- Sausage Roll
- Asparagus & Quinoa Tart
Sweet:
- Chocolate & Hazelnut Delice
- Strawberry Lollipops
- Fresh Fruit Tart
- Pina Colada Panna Cotta
- Freshly Baked Scones
With bottomless Whitley Neill Gin Iced Tea 0% alcohol
Afternoon Tea London – find more experiences in our High Tea Venue Directory
