Inspired by our beloved heroine, the Mary Poppins afternoon tea is rather supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
It’s not only thanks to the recent Emily Blunt sequel that our love for Mary Poppins was given a fresh look. In fact, this 1964 classic set a new tone for interesting female lead characters in movies and it did so with a unique wit and sophistication.
Now, the visitors of Shangri-La Hotel in London, can go on a playful journey down memory lane, discovering the Mary Poppins afternoon tea at the Aqua Shard bar!
Guests will be immediately immersed in P.L.Travers’ imaginary world, as they are presented with a menu that takes form as a gilt gold framed mirror – a recurring symbol throughout the books (that inspired the film) depicting Mary’s vanity and her ‘practically perfect’ reflection.
Served on a custom-made tea stand with an umbrella on top and silver booted feet below – with crockery that comes to life with Mary Shepard’s original illustrations of Mary Poppins – the tea will follow the format of a quintessentially British afternoon tea with unconventional twists.
To start, the savoury selection will include traditional finger sandwiches (Cackleberry farm egg and truffle, Dingley Dell honey roast ham and mustard, Ploughman’s and a Devon crab and cucumber brioche), as well as crumpets – Mary Poppins’ favourite – with miniature versions served warm with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
After, enjoy Mrs Brill’s homemade scones with jam and clotted cream. Two bespoke teas will complement the experience: ‘Mary’s Tea’, which is an exotic blend of Darjeeling from India, Ceylon from Sri Lanka and Keemun and rose petals from China; and ‘Bert’s Tea’, a smoky combination of Souchong and Keemun from China, Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka and vanilla flavouring and cornflower from Sussex. If you choose to add some fizz to the experience, Champagne flutes come to life with a kite that flies from the glass and guests can choose to add ‘medicine’ to their glass, with the choice of three homemade liqueurs.
A quirky array of sweet treats include a ‘Strike Me Pink Sponge’ which imagines one of Travers’ famous quotes in edible form; Mary Poppins’ very own hat can be enjoyed with a black ‘Cherry Tree Lane’ mousse covered in dark chocolate, and Fairground Candy Floss is served from a stand in the restaurant.
For little ones who are only just venturing into the wonderful world of PL Travers and Mary Poppins, they can enjoy a raspberry and rhubarb ripple flavoured ice cream float on top of old fashioned lemonade.
Everybody is going to love Mary Poppins afternoon tea!