Review: Wizard of Oz Afternoon Tea

The Soho Hotel and London Palladium have partnered to create a magical afternoon tea and ticket package for family outings this summer. Back on the boards for two months only, the producer of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is presenting a brand-new production of the Wizard of Oz,  one of the world’s most famous musicals. You can also enjoy the themed tea without seeing the show.

My family followed the yellow brick road to Soho and we were not disappointed by the selection of treats available. We were given a lovely round table in the Refuel Bar and Restaurant which was designed by owner Kit Kemp, and has a colourful mural by London born artist Alexander Hollweg. We settled in to the stylish and vibrant room and were warmly greeted by staff, who guided us through the drinks options.

First up was a delicious and ice cold ‘tin man’ inspired cocktail for the adults – which was in the form of ‘Hot Melted Silver’, made of a smooth blend of Ketel One vodka, lychee liqueur, coconut milk, chili and lime. It was deliciously light and refreshing after a couple of hours at the London Transport Museum and greatly received.

Next we moved on to the tea selection, which was extensive and inspirational. Everything from breakfast tea to mythical creature tea (apparently a tea with oolong, sunflower blossoms, cornflower blossoms, and a touch of ripe green mango!), to Lapsang Souchong, and white jasmine and apricot.

Nervous to choose anything too overpowering I went for Earl Grey, but wish in hindsight I had been more adventurous.

A bit of a wait for the food, but this wasn’t an issue as we had the tin man cocktail and tea, which was served in ornate and beautiful crockery.

When the food arrived, it was stunning. The ‘sand-witches’ were fresh and traditional but very light and we were given a delicious pork and red apple sausage roll (could have done with one more), and scones with ample clotted cream and jam.

All this before we had even gone over the rainbow to the Oz themed treats! On the top level of the stand was the pinnacle of the experience, with a red strawberry and custard slipper, a red Toto cupcake,  an ‘over the rainbow’ lemon Swiss roll, not to mention an Emerald Green City macaroon.

It was stunning and staff at the Soho Hotel were warm, friendly and efficient and as we left, my five-year-old started singing ‘ We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!’ but disappointingly we weren’t!

A trip to see the show would have been the perfect accompaniment to a fabulous tea.

The Wizard of Oz collaboration runs from 23^rd June – 3^rd September, which would make a magical family afternoon.

Tickets for the afternoon tea are £45 per person, and £57 with the hot melted silver cocktail.

The Soho Hotel