Summer Garden Afternoon Tea at The Ivy in the Park, Canary Wharf

The Ivy in the Park at Canary Wharf are currently offtering Summer Garden Afternoon Tea, and I recently (well, not so recently now as this was a month ago) went along to enjoy it. This was enjoyed on the same day as the Olympic Opening Ceremony on a warm day but not quite as warm as the previous several days. A screen was set up in the park outside, and I could see the reflection of the ceremony on the glass. 

I had a table booked mid-afternoon for the afternoon tea. They seated me indoors, but I was placed next to the loudest table of eight people and could not even hear myself think. I was promptly moved, but the only seats available were outside in the conservatory. I was feeling a bit dehydrated already by then, so I had some water to start, and the heat and amount of water drunk makes me lose my appetite. The afternoon tea selection is not too filling normally as there were three sandwiches, two small scones, and the pastries themselves were also not very filling. However, on a hot day, it is just the right amount, though I did struggle and ended up leaving one of the sandwiches that I was not keen on and half a scone.

I started the afternoon tea with a glass of champagne. I also ordered the Ivy Afternoon Tea blend, which I found satisfying.

First up are the sandwiches. Chicken and truffle, salmon and cream cheese, and cucumber and dill were the selection of sandwich available.

The scones (both fruit) came with a small pot of strawberry jam, clotted cream, and sliced strawberries. The sliced strawberries were a great touch at making the scones a little extra special. 

The pastries included a lemon and raspberry doughnut with pink lemonade (served underneath the doughnut in a shot glass). I found this dessert to be too sweet and too sugary for my taste. There was also a vanilla meringue butterfly served with a yogurt-style cream and meringues. The butterfly was white chocolate. I did not like this one at all, and it ended up unfinished. The chocolate caramel flower pot was made with chocolate soil and a chocolate mousse, placed in a ceramic pot and served with a chocolate stem and edible flowers. My favourite of the four was the pistachio nasturtium creme brulee. This was not a traditional creme brulee but more like a pistachio cream topped with chopped pistachios.

What is my verdict on the Summer Garden afternoon tea at The Ivy in the Park, Canary Wharf? I enjoyed the chicken sandwich, but I did not like the cucumber and dill. The scones were a little dry, but the fresh berries helped, though I would have preferred plain scones. The pastries were a two out of four for me with the pistachio one being the clear winner. Service was friendly but a bit slow at the end due to more people turning up. I wish that I could have been inside, however, as I would have had a more comfortable experience than roasting outside in the sun. I actually had to leave because it was just too hot and too uncomfortable.