Afternoon Tea at The Game Bird

Nestled in the historic St James’s, The Stafford London unfolds a tale steeped in history, dating back to the era of King Henry VIII. Beyond its rich past, the hotel boasts unique features, including its role as a World War II bomb shelter for the American Army and a 380-year-old wine cellar housing an impressive collection of over 8,000 wines.

Discovering The American Bar

Among the hotel’s treasures is The American Bar, a longstanding establishment adorned with memorabilia left by both illustrious guests and renowned personalities. However, our focus today is on The Game Bird, the exquisite restaurant housed within this iconic hotel.

The Game Bird Experience

Set in an elegantly decorated space featuring a soothing ivory and grey palette, floral fabrics, and sparkling chandeliers, The Game Bird offers a haven where patrons can bask in relaxation and indulge in top-notch service.

Here’s what we ordered:

During our recent visit, we were treated to a delectable array of offerings, starting with homemade finger sandwiches, savory scones, and an assortment of exquisite pastries inspired by the boutiques in St. James’s. Complementing the spread was a selection of teas from Camellia’s Tea House.

Here’s the afternoon tea menu:

• Sandwiches:
  • H Forman & Son smoked salmon
  • Cucumber and cream cheese
  • Honey-roast Wiltshire ham and mustard
  • Truffled egg and watercress brioche bun
• Scones:
  • Plain and raisin, accompanied by whipped clotted cream and strawberry jam
• Sweet Treats:
  • Foster & Son’s chocolate shoehorn
  • Henry Poole & Co shortbread ‘Tuxedo’
  • James. J. Fox chocolate cigar chocolate and hazelnut mousse
  • Floris English Strawberry and rosewater cupcake
  • Lock & Co white chocolate and lime ‘Top Hat’
• Drinks:
  • Tie Guan Yin Tea
  • White Apricot

A Symphony of Flavors

The sandwiches, skillfully crafted with H Forman & Son smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese, and honey-roast Wiltshire ham and mustard, set the tone for an exquisite experience. The warm, fluffy scones, served with traditional accompaniments, added a delightful touch to the afternoon.

Artistry in Pastries

The four unique pastries, each paying homage to famous brands from Savoy Street, showcased a blend of creativity and culinary finesse. From the light yet rich Foster & Son’s chocolate shoehorn to the sophisticated Henry Poole & Co shortbread ‘Tuxedo’, each pastry bore a unique design that mirrored its inspiration.

The sandwiches were excellent, carefully cut into rectangular pieces with impeccably delicious fillings – H Forman & Son smoked salmon, refreshing cucumber and cream cheese and honey-roast Wiltshire ham and mustard followed by a savoury truffled egg and watercress brioche bun. The fluffy warm scones were a delight and came with whipped clotted cream and strawberry jam, as is traditional.

Four unique pastries were based on famous brands from Savoy Street. Each pastry had a unique design that served as a nod to the brands, from light but rich Foster & Son’s chocolate shoehorn to the filling of the Henry Poole & Co shortbread ‘Tuxedo’. Adding to the gentleman’s kit was James. J. Fox chocolate cigar chocolate, hazelnut mousse Floris English, strawberry, and rosewater cupcake followed by a Lock & Co white chocolate and lime ‘Top Hat’.

One of the things that I appreciated about this gentleman’s afternoon tea was that it was tailored to a theme that was very different from the usual event or festival-focused teas. Located at such a prestigious postcode and within a few minutes walk to the royal residencies, it was extremely well-thought-out and well-planned.

It was an enjoyable visit, especially when I saw so many of my former colleagues who recognised me from when I worked at the restaurant. My friend was blown away by the feedback about me when I introduced my colleagues. It was truly an honour to have worked with such an amazing team at the restaurant, and although it was only for a short period, it was an experience to remember.

My favourite moment was when one of the sommeliers saw me and said “Wing’s Wine Wednesdays”. Wine Wednesdays was an Instagram campaign where I invited an in-house sommelier to introduce a wine they chose weekly. It became popular, and every week I had the chance to learn more about the various wines available by vineyard, vintage years and by season.

Have you been to The Game Bird before? I’d love to hear your thoughts.