I love the Soho Hotel. I’ve had many a relaxed discussion there over contracts, and am
sure the décor and service helped clinch numerous deals. But other than being high on the list of business rendezvous, the Soho Hotel’s ReFuel tearoom is a stylishly elegant haven for afternoon tea.
Myself and a buddy dived in there recently after the hell of a frenzied shopping trip along Oxford Street in London; only an aromatic pot of Lapsang Souchong could ease the pain of comfort buying and dented budgets. But décor would be important to our comfort, and as we were led through, the creams and clean lines of the restaurant segued into the foyer’s ochres, tangerines and modernism and on to the hot pinks and mushroom of the oh-so-snug tea lounge. Hot pink and fancies may sound like too much ‘sugar’, but on a cool afternoon in March, with the wind whipping around corners, it made us feel warm and loved.
I chose the Soho Tea, while N opted for the Traditional Tea, accompanied by an aromatic Earl Grey. Ahhh, as relaxation began to set in, we enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of the lounge, coupled with efficient and charming service from the waitresses, also decked out in fetching hot-pink shirts.
Our prawn and spring onion/ ham and mustard/ smoked salmon/ egg and watercress sandwiches were good, if a little dry around the edges. The quality of the fruit and plain scones, excellent jam and cream, mini pavlova, gold leaf tiffin, macaroons, mini tartlets and mini cup cakes, however, more than made up for this. I was particularly intrigued to try tiffin, with memories of Carry On Up The Khyber floating around my shopping-fevered brain, and, on trying it, could see why this chocolate confection with raisins and crushed biscuits might keep folk in on a brisk spring afternoon.
Refreshed, we headed off up the road. ReFuel – it’s so well named.
Food – 3/5
Venue – 4/5
Value – 3/5
Cuisine type – English teatime
Soho Tea for two – £35
Traditional Tea for two – £32
Tea Lounge,
ReFuel Restaurant,
Soho Hotel,
4 Richmond Mews,
London W1D
020 7559 3000
Bryony Weaver
