Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley is designed to add a creative twist to the classic elements of traditional English afternoon tea with cakes and pastries inspired by the latest runway designs of the fashion season for style lovers. It may not be quintessential English afternoon tea, but who cares? It’s fabulous my dear!
Afternoon tea information
Lugar:
The Caramel Room, The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, Londres SW1X 7RL
Days and times: every day: from 1 pm to 6 pm
Cost: from £ 35 per person.
Dress code: smart casual.
Reservations: Reservations must be reserved in advance by calling 020 7201 1619 or reserve online.
Music: Contemporary background music can be heard.
Prêt Vespa – Delivery option
In 2008, The Berkeley launched Prêt Vespa, the latest fashionista cookie delivery service. If your fashionista friends don’t have time to come to The Berkeley, they can bring you the delights of Prêt-à-Portea! A Vespa adorned in the famous Prêt colors of pistachio green and pale pink offers the delicious fashion items in tailored bags to carry.
What a good idea! Tell me more
Prêt-à-Portea began around 2004 when The Berkeley’s pastry team had the brilliant idea of linking afternoon tea and fashion; especially given The Berkeley’s location in the heart of Knightsbridge, just around the corner from Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Berkeley has long been a favorite of the fashion crowd, so it has become a perfect match.
Berkeley’s chief pastry chef Mourad Khiat is now invited to fashion shows to brainstorm ideas for his new collections. The editors of major fashion magazines also advise the pastry team to help them identify key trends, colors, textures and “must-haves” each season. Berkeley now has fashion designers contacting them to ask how they can get to the cake stands.
Speaking about his inspiration for new collections, Mourad Khiat said:
“Fashion and pastels have always been the perfect combination for me. We can count on our fashion contacts to inform us about the latest must-have items of the season. Of course I have my favorite designers, but I could never reveal who they are! Mainly, I look for vibrant colors and unusual patterns and textures in the latest fashion collections and envision how they would translate into our tea stand.
Ready-to-Wear Té de la tarde Pros y contras
- Pros
- The cake stand looks impressive – the detail is outstanding.
- The delights of the cake stand are fully explained by its staff who show you the runway inspiration for each tasty delicacy.
- Cakes, cookies, treats, and sandwiches are replenished, so feel free to try them all.
- All the cakes left at the end are delivered to you to take home in a custom take out box.
- For those who prefer savory options, sandwiches are included and restocked too. Special dietary options also available.
- The cake stand includes savory canapes as well as the beautiful cakes, cookies and mousses.
- You feel like Carrie Bradshaw on Sex in the City or Edina on Absolutely Fabulous.
- The Caramel Room is a relaxed and contemporary setting, but not overly modern; intimate and not fussy.
- Everyone takes photos so don’t be shy.
- Cons
- More mousse desserts than cakes.
- There are no buns, but that is not what you are looking for.
Prêt-à-Portea Afternoon Tea Review
Berkeley’s Prêt-à-Portea isn’t the quintessential afternoon tea, but I hope it’s clear before you book. This is the afternoon tea for fashionistas! Prêt-à-Portea is best for those who love to shop and follow the fashionable seasons, and delight in meeting friends. The Berkeley is in Knightsbridge, near Harvey Nichols, the shopping mecca, so it can easily be combined with a shopping trip.
Atmosphere
Even before the cakes arrive, you can feel the excitement in the room. There is a real buzz and it feels like the ‘place to be seen’.
Tables are closer than other afternoon tea venues, but you don’t feel heard and it feels less formal and ‘stuffy’. In fact, we had a conversation with the girls next to us, one who had been before and who had brought her sister to try this season’s cakes and treats. And that’s what you will find if you talk to the people there. Once they’ve tried it, they are booking again for the next season, if not earlier. You will be planning how many business meetings you can have here instead of in boring restaurants. And since Prêt-à-Portea is available every day from 1pm to 6pm, there are plenty of options on how to fit into a visit.
Prêt-à-Portea is certainly more popular with women, there are some men to be found. What was clear was the wide age range this attracted.
Even The China is Designer
Don’t expect silver tea service. Instead, Thomas Goode of Mayfair has produced a bespoke collection of Paul Smith fine china. The teapots are considerable and you can taste more than one tea. There is also coffee available, which was a nice surprise. Pear caramel tea is as delicious as it sounds.
famous
Unsurprisingly, high-end fashion and cakes at a London 5-star luxury hotel attract fashion icons, so watch out for celebrities when visiting. Previously seen include Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Suggestions for the day
Of course, Prêt-à-Portea pairs fabulously with a day of shopping.
- Option 1 Knightsbridge: Harvey Nichols and Harrods
See: London Department Store - Option 2 Oxford Street: London’s main shopping street with all the High Street shops.
Then get a no. Bus 10 or 137 to Knightsbridge. - Option 3 Museum of Fashion and Textiles
It is a center for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewelery in London. Founded by iconic British designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum houses permanent and changing exhibits.
Then take the tube from London Bridge (Jubilee Line), change at Green Park to Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line).
Visit their website
