][1]The idea of afternoon tea has had a strong revival over the last few months. Perhaps it offers something traditional and comforting at a time when much else seems rather wobbly.
In Edinburgh, Hotel Missoni are laying claim to launching the city’s first designer afternoon tea, created by the fashion guru Rosita Missoni and the hotel’s head chef Mattia Camorani.
The tea will be served from Monday in the hotel bar but, over this weekend, Hotel Missoni are doing a pre-launch charity event. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be sittings at 2.30pm and 4pm. All the proceeds from the new menu will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.
The new menu includes Italian favourites such as: focaccia with grilled artichoke, eggs and mayo and streghette with Prosciutto from Tuscany. Sweet treats include Hotel Missoni’s mini bomboloni with custard; Sicilian cannoli with sweet ricotta and a mini Neapolitan rum baba.
The hotel’s afternoon tea starts from £19.50 per person.
In a different part of town, the Sheraton Grand, which includes 5pm member Santini, has given their traditional, £17.95 afternoon tea menu a floral flavour.
The menu includes freshly baked lavender and saffron scones; violet tartlets; rose scented Eton mess; orange blossom and mimosa Turkish delight; jasmine cup cakes with lilac frosting and elderflower and mint panna cotta.
The loose leaf teas available include flowering green tea, jasmine pearl and blackcurrant and lavender.