Fashionistas looking to satiate their burning passion for all things clothes, shoes and accessories-related will be thrilled to hear that there is now another option in the mix, beyond splurging your entire paycheck on an 'investment piece'. "Think about the cost-per-wear!" I hear you cry. Temporarily banish such thoughts from your mind, for this new London offering is not nearly as pricey as a designer handbag and will be more than sartorially satisfying.
After welcoming news that Prada is opening a 'caffe' at Harrods, now Knightsbridge's The Berkeley is bringing back its Prêt-à-Portea, a vibrant, playful take on afternoon tea, directly aimed at "fashionistas with a sweet tooth". Suffice to say, we qualify.
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© The BerkeleyThe offering celebrates some of the fashion world's key trailblazing labels – from Kenzo and Moschino to Vivienne Westwood and Zimmermann – in sweet treat form. Couture cakes inspired by breath-taking catwalk designs and major industry players are peppered in between a selection of loose-leaf teas, sandwiches, and contemporary canapés, courtesy of The Berkeley's expert pastry chefs.
With a focus on spring flavours and summer tones, the pièce de resistance (or the "showstopper", in Bake Off terms) is a "velvety citrus cream with lemon confit and coconut gel, set on a Sablé biscuit base and topped with sugar flowers". Mouth-watering or what?
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© The BerkeleyOther treats include a scrumptious take on Loewe’s viral Anthurium dress, "reimagined with Sacher sponge, espresso caramel and Valrhona 70% chocolate mousse, set on a croustillant base and topped with a chocolate flower". The late Dame Vivienne Westwood, dubbed the Godmother of Punk, is honoured via a delicately iced Madagascar vanilla biscuit, complete with her iconic red hair.
Two designer labels make their Prêt-à-Portea debut: Zimmermann, captured through a blueberry bavarois-filled joconde sponge, shaped to look like a striped co-ord, and US label Thom Browne in the form of a "fraise des bois tart with strawberry crémeux, topped with a lime and mint truffle and red chocolate hat".
Prêt-à-Portea is available to book now and is served from 1pm - 5.30pm every day, priced from £80 per person.
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