Four Seasons Hotel at Tower Bridge to launch new afternoon tea concept

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge has collaborated with East End artisan baker Lily Vanilli to launch a new afternoon tea concept at its Rotunda Bar and Lounge. 

Launching on 28 March, London By Lily Vanilli will take the English tradition of afternoon tea and reinvent it.

The artisan baker has worked with the brand-new team at the Rotunda Bar and Lounge to curate a launch menu for Spring that will feature some of London’s most “on-trend” dishes, reinvented in her style. 

The result is an experience that showcases “decadent” bakes and savoury bites alongside a “playful” drinks and cocktail menu. In the evening, the menu will evolve into an “Aperi-tea” offering which focuses on selected dishes and more cocktails, with the ambience mirroring the shift as day turns to night. 

The sweet offering will include Lily Vanilli’s celebration cakes adorned with her icing, a creme brulée basque cheesecake served with sour cherry compote and a tiramisu tart with coffee and brandy-soaked sponge, custard mascarpone cream and coffee caramel in a chocolate tart. She will also be serving up her scones, with clotted cream and seasonal fruit compote. 

Bite-sized savoury dishes will include include the house gilda, with anchovy, green olive and pickled chilli, cheddar, feta and spinach savoury scones with pickled cucumber and dill, parmesan goujère and confit potatoes topped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and lime.

A cocktail menu will be served alongside, including the Lily Royale, a blend of Beluga Noble vodka, cacao blanc, raspberry cordial, and champagne, a salted espresso with Patrón tequila, Los Siete Misterios mezcal, fresh espresso, Pedro Ximénez, and salted caramel syrup, as well as classic cocktails and mini martinis. 

The afternoon tea menu takeover of the Rotunda Bar and Lounge will take place for a year, with the food and drinks offering evolving with the seasons. 

Lily Jones, owner and founder of the Lily Vanilli café, said: “The Rotunda Bar and Lounge is a truly special backdrop to our menu of sweet and savoury delights. Guests can expect a contemporary spin on both the Lily Vanilli and English classics, all served with a slice of grandeur only the Four Seasons could provide. 

“The aspect I’m most looking forward to seeing come to life is how the vibe evolves over the course of the day, with the evenings bringing great music, dimming lights and a fabulous menu of sweet and savoury bites that perfectly pair with champagne and cocktails. We will also offer a mini version of the menu for anyone who wants a smaller selection – this is an afternoon tea for Londoners – somewhere you can come for drinks after work – or even after dinner!” 

Victoria Lebedeva, director of food and beverage at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, added: “The London by Lily Vanilli promises a feast for the senses with delicious bites, perfectly paired cocktails and a stylish vibe. The Rotunda bar will ooze Lily’s signature style all year round as the menu evolves with the seasons, bringing Londoners trending tastes and flavours from spring to winter.”