アフターヌーンティー Afternoon Tea

今度はロンドンに行ってきました！一泊しかできなかったのでかなり短い旅行になりましたが、帰り間際にアフターヌーンティーを堪能することができ、満足です（＾＾）さて、このアフターヌーンティーとは名前の通り、午後のお茶ですが、ロンドンでは高級ホテルや老舗のお店でのアフタヌーンティーが人気です。私はマンダリンホテルで予約し、ちょっとおめかしをして行こうと思ったら、ロンドンはパリと同様、残暑で着いた時には汗だくだく（＾＾；でも、スタッフは温かい笑顔で迎えてくれてほっと一安心。メニューは好きな紅茶を選び、食事はシェフが選んだフィンガーフードのセット。私はシトロン（レモン）とミントの紅茶を選び、これが美味！すっきりした味でポットから出るアロマがとっても良い香り！そして食事はスコーン２種類、フィナンシェ、ケーキ５種類、サンドイッチも５種類ほど。残念なことに最初に写真を撮っていたらスタッフより撮影を断られ、肝心な食事とティーの写真が撮れませんでした・・・だけど、それでも本当に優雅で素敵なマダムのような時間を過ごすことができ、また近いうちに行きたらと思います。

This time I went to London! I was only able to stay one night so it was a really short stay but I was able to enjoy afternoon tea before I left so I am satisfied with the trip :) Well, the name is self explanatory and afternoon tea is often enjoyed in London's high end hotels and traditional salons. I made reservations at the Mandarin hotel and thought I should dress up for the occasion but same as Paris, London was going through an Indian summer and I was drenched by the time I got there :( But was relieved when the staff greeted me with a warm small. The menu was a pot of your choice of tea and some finger food which the chef chose. I ordered a brew of citron and mint tea which was delicious! It had a fresh taste and the aroma coming from the pot was amazing! There were 2 types of scones, financier, 5 types of cakes, and 5 types of sandwich. Unfortunately I took some pictures when I just sat and was asked to stop as they had a no camera policy so I wasn't able to take pictures of the food and tea... But I was still able to experience a luxurious and elegant time. I hope I will be able to go again sometime soon...