European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Teatime everything stops for afternoon Tea in City s posh hotels by Renate Frank Deutsche Presse Agenter the British love their traditions and surely one of the most endearing is the regular partaking of afternoon Tea. This civilized custom is enjoying a Renaissance As Many britons battered by economic recession for so Long sip away. Their troubles in Plush surroundings. The Regent in Marylebone Road is one such venue where the Clink of teacups punctuates conversation under the Palm Trees and glassed roofed courtyard. Over at the Dorchester hotel owned by the Sultan of Brunei the visitor can also escape the hubbub of the big City. The same goes for the Ritz with its slightly faded Pink and rolled Gold decor. Tea at its most British can be found at Claridge s. Tea itself is the focal Point of the ritual but a major attraction is the tasty morsels served alongside especially since they Fly in the face of British cooking s reputation for stolid and unimaginative fare. Dainty sandwiches filled with Cucumber Salmon egg Ham or roast beef All topped with Cress Nestle alongside each other on gleaming Silver savers. For the Sweet tooth there Are scones Sweet tasting pastry either with or without raisins served with exquisite Raspberry marmalade and clotted Cream. This delicacy is made from Cream heated slowly in Flat pans before being suddenly cooled. That gives Rise to the smooth consistency explained one immaculately turned out waiter at the Dorchester. The crowning glory of afternoon Tea can take the form of a slice of Mango Cream cake tempting creations in chocolate or various pastries. By this time the Tea is very Strong indeed since the British allow the leaves to draw for longer and alleviate the bitterness by adding milk. Afternoon Tea in the manner described leaves Little to be desired but for those seeking just a touch More luxury the Regent hotel can augment the traditional menu with Champagne and fresh strawberries. / afternoon Tea has come a Long Way since it was inaugurated by Anna seventh Duchess of Bedford in the 19th Century. Irritated by having to wait so Long for dinner which was always served late in the evening the Duchess began inviting her friends around for Tea at 5 . The custom of staving off hunger with cookies and cups of Tea caught on across the country and by 1850 the Well to do Tea scones and Jam the heart of English teatime. Is Deborah abhor were asking themselves How they Ever got along without it by the turn of the Century Central London saw its first tearooms and department stores began serving Tea in their restaurants to Cater to thirsty mainly women customers exhausted from strenuous shopping. In the 1920s, afternoon Tea became even More elegant. This was the Era of the Tea dance at which men and women met to while away the afternoon by stepping onto the dance floor to the strains of a slow foxtrot and of course drinking Tea. World War ii put an end to this gentle Pursuit but the custom has since been revived by the Waldorf hotel which holds Tea dances every saturday and sunday. In the 50s and 60s, few people could afford the time to sit around sipping Tea in the afternoon but the last two decades have seen the tradition grow. According to the British Tea Council 178 million cups of Tea Are consumed in Britain daily More than three cups a Day per person. Today s teatime clientele in t confined to elderly spinsters exchanging gossip in the lounge atmosphere of a hotel. Business people also have come to appreciate the value of discussing High finance Over a soothing cup of Tea As a pianist tinkles unobtrusively in the background. The atmosphere is certainly relaxed but not always easygoing. Casually dressed customers at Claridge s May find that the waiter simply fails to notice them while at the Ritz turning up without reservations simply won t do. The tables Are booked for anything up to two weeks ahead. The upper lip is slightly less stiff at the tearooms of harrods or at Fortnum & Mason. Afternoon devotees looking for the real thing will find it difficult to better the Standard of service at London s grand hotels and can expect to pay around $18 a head. Distributed by scr put Howard Newt services a Kathy plan fruits deserts and sandwiches await Tea drinkers at a hotel by Grosvenor Square. August 25, 1994 stripes Magazine 13