Ametsa, Arzak Instruction

Afternoon tea with Spanish sensibilities

Looking for something more avant garde than a traditional, English afternoon tea? Want something more luscious than a Victoria sponge in miniature form? Sick of the sight of another perfectly manicured finger sandwich or scone? Then you might be a candidate for the decidedly new afternoon tea at Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, where the classic afternoon tea is shaped in to a distinctly more Spanish form. Ole.

If an afternoon tea brings to mind scones, finger sandwiches and miniature sponge cakes, then burn that image to charcoal dust and instead prepare for a lighter, more Mediterranean tea. Ametsa draws on the principles of Basque cuisine to add the restaurant’s trademark flair to the classic British concept of afternoon tea.

The traditional elements of tea are reformed into Spanish classics; customary finger sandwiches have been replaced by a series of savoury tapas, followed by selection of desserts (and not a single scone in sight).

Start then with the savoury tray and its skewers of Manchego cheese, croquettes, and piquillo pepper sandwiches with avocado.

The sweet tray carries with it churros with chocolate, lime custard and banana tartlets with beautiful sugar work, blackberry yoghurt, Catalan cream with cinnamon and a trio of super-galactic looking ‘Charred Sweets’, which apparently take over a day to make and contain, amongst other things, charcoal and custard. They are strangely moreish.

With the afternoon tea choose from a well-appointed selection of Jing teas.

Located inside the Halkin Hotel, the Michelin-starred Ametsa with Arzak Instruction serves an afternoon tea that is bursting with Spanish influences and unmistakably a creation of the innovative Ametsa team.

The Ametsa with Arzak Instruction afternoon tea is served in the Halkin bar and lounge every day between 2.30pm until 5:00pm, priced at £32 per person.

Tube: Hyde Park Corner
Address: Halkin Hotel, Halkin Street, SW1X 7DJ
Tel: 020 7333 1234
Website: www.comohotels.com/thehalkin/dining/ametsa
I was invited to review Ametsa with Arzak Instruction