London Experiences – Classic Afternoon Tea at VIVI

This week (August 12th to 18th) marks Afternoon Tea Week. I have been to my fair share of amazing Afternoon Teas in the past – Flemings Mayfair Hotel, Galvin at The Athenaeum, Georgian House, Malmaison, Scoff & Banter.

Continuing with the theme, I recently attended an Afternoon Tea at Vivi, an exciting new restaurant at London’s hottest new destination: the newly developed Centre Point by property developers Almacantar.

VIVI’s all-day menu is seasonal British with some playful take on traditional dishes.

The stunningly designed restaurant by Gordon Young Architects is set upon two levels under a breathtaking double height space. It is divided into zones to cater to different dining needs. You enter at the upper level through The Bar into The Dining Room, a semi-circular space framed by an impressive looking chandelier.

The central dining space is flanked by two lower levels. One of the lower levels is an informal bar called Liquid Lounge with plush, pink semi-circular banquettes and floor-to-ceiling windows offering clear views to St. Giles Square.

On the other side is The Gallery, an informal dining space with high chairs and tables, laid out in a linear fashion. This is perfect for solo diners or special occasion Afternoon Teas for bigger groups, such as hen weekends and baby showers.

Towards the rear of the restaurant are a couple of cozy private dining spaces for more intimate and quiet gatherings. They offer the seclusion for a private ceremony but are not fully cut off visually from the main space so you can still soak in the buzz from the main restaurant.

The Bar is an excellent spot to park yourself with one of their delicious cocktails and watch the mixologist conjuring up these expertly crafted cocktails. They have quite a decent selection of pretty looking and tasty drinks with prices that are very reasonable for Central London.

I was attending with a bunch of bloggers to review their Afternoon Tea. They have two main versions – The Classic at £29.5 and a Champagne upgrade at £39. They cater to a variety of dietary preferences and have a vegan/gluten free version as well.

Pastries and Cakes

Carrot Cake | Battenberg | Blackberry Macaron | Chocolate Eclair | Victoria Sponge

Scones

Plain and Fruit Scones | Strawberry Jam | Clotted Cream

Sandwiches and Savouries

Smoked Salmon | Cream Cheese

Cucumber | Dill | Butter

Egg Mayonnaise | Mustard Cress

Coronation Chicken | Mint | Mango Chutney

Roast Beef | Horseradish

Loose Leaf Teas

In terms of the Afternoon Tea itself, the selection wasn’t anything groundbreaking or never seen before. However, it was the quality of each individual component that set it apart. The bread for the sandwiches was fresh and soft, almost melt-in-the-mouth. The indulgent scones were buttery, decently sized and crumbled softly under the knife without breaking apart. The delicate pastries were well-executed and looked beautiful on the plate, especially the Battenberg.

I especially liked how they created individual portioned cake stands so we don’t fight amongst each other over the last piece. I was especially impressed by VIVI’s extensive selection of teas on offer. I opted for a robust Wild Chai, although I was secretly eyeing the Chocolate Noir ordered by my dining companion which smelled divine and luxurious.

The staff were really friendly and welcoming. No request was too big for them, something I struggle to see from many high-end places. Our teapots were swiftly refilled by them and everyone seemed genuinely lovely.

Overall, I had a pleasant first experience at VIVI and hope to return soon to try some of their other menus and cocktails.

Location : VIVI | Centre Point | 11 St Giles Square | London | WC2H 8AP1

Website : https://www.vivirestaurant.co.uk/

Disclaimer: I was invited to review the Afternoon Tea on behalf of Love Pop Ups London and my meal was complimentary, but all photos, videos and opinions are mine.