It's time for tea
Afternoon tea is now all the rage.
FOR GLAMOROUS MAMAS...
Sketch Parlour
Oh, the slinky decadence of Sketch. The Parlour brings dramatic urban beauty to the humble tea. If your mother appreciates the recherche things in life, this gorgeous room is where to treat her to light, squidgy pastelhued macaroons and scented infusions. Not open on the actual Sunday but, hey, you're an iconoclast anyway.
9 Conduit Street W1. Tel: 0870 777 4488, www.sketch.uk.com
FOR WOWING HER...
The Wolseley
Messrs Corbin and King's drop-dead-glamorous restaurant, a homage to Europe's grand cafes, never fails to impress. This big, impressive, buzzy room is the perfect backdrop to showing mummy just how well you've done for yourself over competent scones and sandwiches - and fabulous pastries. Star-spotting (real A-list jobs) is another knockher-dead perk.
160 Piccadilly W1. Tel: 020 7499 6996, www.thewolseley.com
FOR SHEER INDULGENCE...
The Lanesborough
The Agatha Christie surroundings of the Conservatory dining room are where to come if you can't get enough of those sexy, sinful carbs. Not only do you get the usual finger sandwiches, scones and pastries but crumpets, too. And they'll bring you more of anything you ask for (believe me, I've asked).
The Conservatory at the Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner SW1. Tel: 020 7259 5599. Tube: Knightsbridge
FOR THE EXOTIC...
Yauatcha
Serenely beautiful, restaurateur Alan Yau's teahouse is like nowhere else in London. Neither are the tea and cakes: no banana loaf here, rather pastries fragranced with ginger, tea or lychee and given lyrical names such as Shanghai Rose cake. Wash them down with plum tea smoothies or a light brew of Classical Beauty tea.
15 Broadwick Street W1. Tel: 020 7494 8888
FOR THE FASHIONABLE...
The Caramel Room
How gorgeous! Handmade cakes and pastries shaped into designer fancies - a John Galliano lace mint cake, a Burberry Prorsum boot, a Missoni striped eclair - are only part of the most chi-chi tea in town, all served in the cool, creamy surroundings of the Caramel Room. Fashionista mummy will swoon.
Wilton Place SW1. Tel: 020 7235 6000, www.the-berkeley.co.uk
FOR CULTURE...
The National Dining Rooms
Oliver Peyton's latest place is an old-fashioned cake lover's idea of utter heaven. The in-house bakery churns out a delectable selection of goodies every day: Victoria sponges; Swiss rolls; scones with jam and clotted cream - deepest joy.
Sainsbury Wing, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square WC2. Tel: 020 7747 2525, www.nationalgallery.org.uk
