It seems quite fitting that the week I get green-blue highlights put into my hair that I get invited to celebrate 40 years of punk with a rebellious afternoon tea at the W London, Anarch-Tea, a reworking of its Rock Tea that I’ve enjoyed before in the past, with new cakes that represent iconic songs and the fashion from the subversive movement.
I always love going to the W London, it really is a little different to other 5 star hotels, there’s a fun and edgy vibe, and their afternoon tea is always a great one to do with friends, the setting is incredible, and the hotel’s pastry chef, Rachel Newman, always goes full out with her cake designs and it looks like she’s had fun with the punk theme.
As well as the traditional finger sandwiches and scones, which are yummy served with jam and clotted cream, the cakes are incredible, from the ‘God Save the Queen’ The Sex Pistol cake, a red, white and blue Battenburg with a marzipan icing crown, which FYI was my favourite, to the delicious strawberry mousse red lips sealed with a zip, representing ‘Shut-Up’ by The Stranglers. There was also a fashion statement with a Vivienne Westwood inspired studded bracelet-style chocolate swiss roll, which is so rich you must savour every bite, and there’s a fruity mousse filled cake with a punky wafer ‘Mohican’.
I have, to be honest, I loved the Rock Tea, I do like the way the W London has developed their afternoon tea served on a vinyl cake stand, it really adds to the theme. I also love that it mixes quintessential British flavours with the finger sandwiches and scones with the bold ‘punk’ statements of the cakes.
There’s something a little different about the Anarch-Tea, but I do wonder, how punk is drinking tea? With this in mind, why not add an extra rebellious punk kick with the special cocktail, ‘Lust for Life’ with its punchy Cachaça, zesty lime, sugar and passion fruit. Trust me this drink has a kick.