LONDON
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
AFTERNOON TEA ,
ONE ALDWYCH , LONDON
FIZZY LIFTING DRINKS , SNOZZBERRY JAM , CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE MIXED BY WATERFALL … PREPARE TO ENTER A WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION AT AN AFTERNOON TEA QUITE UNLIKE ANY OTHER .
BY SAMANTHA READY
Stepping into One Aldwych for their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea was indeed like entering a world of pure imagination . Boasting a separate entrance to the main hotel , which is primely situated right in the heart of London ’ s West End , once you descend the stairs to One Aldwych ’ s Indigo restaurant , you ’ ll find a picture-perfect backdrop of mixing room delights , a good nut / bad nut judgement lever and will indeed transcend into a world of wonder straight from the pages of one of Roald Dahl ’ s most treasured childhood stories .
Met with enthusiastic flair by our waiter Pio , we were shown to a large booth , perfect for the smallest Readys who sat wide eyed as dry ice made magic smoke erupt from cocktails and mocktails that were poured tableside with theatrical flourish while platters of clever Wonka-inspired treats arrived .
In a playful homage to the Dahl classic , yet elevated with a One Aldwych sprinkle of sophisticated flair , afternoon tea began with the savoury delights of Coronation chicken and egg mayo sandwiches , salmon and dill quiche with saffron mayo , spinach roly-poly , and an aptly named ‘ not quite as it seems ’ beetroot macaron ( which was so good we - perhaps channelling our inner Augustus Gloop - promptly devoured three more … each !) for the grown-ups , and a selection of ham , cheese , cucumber , cream cheese and egg mayo for the smalls .
Next came the scones ; a mixture of plain and a moreish fruit with fudge pieces ready to slather with snozzberry jam , and an intriguing clotted cream with pineapple reminiscent of a Solero ice cream !
But the real magic began with the sweets .
Served to a backdrop of hot chocolate with whipped cream , smoking strawberry juice , Water Pistol Punch and a rather indulgent ‘ The Chocolatier ’ cocktail combining whisky , cherry liqueur , grapefruit juice , cherry purée and chocolate bitters topped with Champagne for Mr R , arrived a stacked magic box of treats …
Scrumptious raspberry and rose sweet ( with champers for the big ones ), fizzy lifting lemonade posset , ‘ hair toffee ’ mousse , caramel chocolate milkshake ( mixed by waterfall ) and the most ‘ fabulous fluffy floss ’ ( strictly not for dentists !) of which you are tasked with working out its unique flavour … All as theatrical as they were tasty .
Aside from deliciously tempting treats , the attention to detail and service was impeccable , with every dish meticulously
crafted to pay tribute to the fantastical world of Willy Wonka and the attentive team never missing a beat . As one little Ready proclaimed she loved ham sandwiches , so an extra plate of ham sandwiches appeared . As one big Ready delighted in his cocktail , another arrived with flourish . The experience , from the playful presentation to the friendly service , was magical – the perfect balance of childhood nostalgia and grown-up indulgence .
For anyone looking for a memorable , luxurious twist on afternoon tea , One Aldwych ’ s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a must . An unforgettable escape into a world where dreams – and desserts – come true .
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea costs from £ 70 per adult and £ 50 per child ( aged 12 and under ) and is served Wednesday to Friday , 12pm – 3pm ( 12pm – 4.30pm during school holidays ), and Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 4.30pm .
One Aldwych 1 Aldwych London WC2B 4BZ
www . onealdwych . com / food-drink / charliethe-chocolate-factory-afternoon-tea
© 2024 The Roald Dahl Story Company Ltd / Quentin Blake . ROALD DAHL is a registered trademark of The Roald Dahl Story Company Ltd . CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY ™ Warner Bros . Entertainment Inc . www . roalddahl . com
THE BEST WAY TO GET TO LONDON
With super fast connections courtesy of Southeastern ' s High Speed trains , venture to London in less than an hour , all ready to enjoy a luxury epicurean adventure . www . southeasternrailway . co . uk
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