Flemings - Mayfair - London

This is in the ladies at Flemings

A friend and I recently celebrated a milestone by having an afternoon tea at Flemings Mayfair, London.

I had seen an offer in Emerald Street and had decided to check out their recommendation. Having checked my friend avails, I booked a table for 2.30pm a Saturday 3 weeks in advance. Given the location of Flemings, it seem to be a very busy place to go for an afternoon tea.

Sandrine and I work in a homeless day centre once a month and that day was our turn. We had decided to make it a lazy day and hang out in Mayfair after the shift, then, have the afternoon tea. After our shift we changed into our day frocks, flat smart shoes on with our heels in the bag just in case the portier at Flemings was sniffy and uptight.

Having walked the length of Piccadilly and stopped from time to time to check out some small galleries and shopping arcades along the way, we arrived at a semi-derelict street… double checking and surprised that such a street was located in Mayfair… Looked a bit like a part of Croydon or Tooting to me if you asked. But, yes we were in the right street, Half Moon Street… To my right, we had Flemings to my left we had a Hilton hotel this street from afar looks like a cul-de-sac closed by a beautiful church edifice which was built between 1908 and 1911… This church is in fact on Curzon street…Must go have a tour of that church the inside must be as fascinating at the outside.

Arriving at the Flemings, the portier was very welcoming and our flat shoes were suitable and elegant enough to fit right in. The entrance on Half-moon Street is also the entrance to the hotel…and there were few arriving and departing guests in this reception area which, although well decorated was starved of the beautiful daylight that we had been enjoying so far. There wasn’t enough artificial light either to show off the dramatic details of the decoration.

Upon reporting to the reception, we were send downstairs to the tea rooms just below this beautiful Pendant ceiling chandelier from which, yellow lights reflected on the golden rimmed mirrors gave an added impression of luxury to this hidden side of the reception.

The tea room was the same décor as the reception area, dramatic in some sides and way too busy on other sides, the abundance of mirrors in this room lacking of daylight helped to reflect the few points of light darted in this room full of contrary lines.

The Maître D was very welcoming, accommodating and sat us despite the fact that we arrived earlier than our booking. We were served within 10 minutes, the sandwiches and mini cake came another 10 minutes after that…

I am not a sweet tooth person so, I very much liked the sandwich selection and especially the rye sandwich… The scones were too dry almost biscuitty, I hate cupcakes and was not impressed with the macaroons. To sum it, the only thing I enjoyed in terms of food was the sandwich selection and the Rooibos tea. My companion on the other hand had a field day, but did not like the scones either.

The offer on Emerald Street was “afternoon tea for 2 for £25”.  I would have paid more for the ambiance which, is very favorable for friends relaxing during a lazy afternoon. Flemings is a good venue to chill. The staff is welcoming and visible at all time. I’d definitely recommend it, more for the atmosphere and proximity rather than the munching in my opinion. The best afternoon tea I ever had was at Harvey Nichols at £40 per person and I have not found a match yet.

I did check out the ladies at Flemings. The deco was different and did not reflect the restaurant at all… the only quirk was the statue which made me smile.

I hope that you will hop into Flemings for a drink or an afternoon tea. I will mark it 7/10 but, don’t take my word for it, try it yourself.

As we continued our aimless wanderings, we found a little gem of a bookshop on Curzon Street, Heywood Hill were we spent more than an hour… book lovers MUST check it out. Then we said hello to the statue of Churchy below!

I love London!

Ciao!