Le Royal Monceau Raffles Afternoon Tea

My summer project is to take tea in all the best places in Paris to make up for sitting around for 4 weeks with 1 leg elevated. Raffles at Le Royal Monceau is not far from l'Etoile. Monceau was recently renovated by the renown Philippe Starck.

Drama hits you right at the entrance. Fabulous flower bouquets throughout.Their Italian restaurant, Il Carpaccio is full of sea shell motifs floor to ceiling. 

La Cuisine restaurant has a more free-floating artsy motif. There's an art gallerie as well in the hotel. Last September's Büche de Noël display was held there and will be again this year. Can't wait.

Wonderful Miro-like ceilings. Where ever you look inside the hotel you'll discover cool artworks.

The patterned pool on the terrasse garden looks down 

into the swimming pool below in a magical way.

But on to afternoon tea in the Raffles Long bar at Le Monceau.

A copy of Raffles in Singapore - loaded with atmosphere.

The tea menu. Did I say all the pastries at Le Monceau are specially created by Pierre Hermé.

Ta-Da! The traditional tea time scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam are hidden behind the chocolates and mini macarons.

'DEE-VINE! MAGNIFIQUE!'

Have you seen The Eye Has To Travel? It's the Don't-Miss story of Diana Vreeland in all her divine glam. You feel the same awe when the Raffles tea tray arrives.

Mustn't forget the tea sandwiches must one?

Exquisite no? Smaller versions of Pierre Herme originals so no guilt need apply.

Mardi Michels of Eat Live Travel Write and I were guests of the hotel. Mardi has taught classes at La Cuisine Paris and currently in Canada. She attacks our desserts like a surgeon. Verdict: perfection.

Mardi drinks an organic flower infusion by tea master Pascal Hamour.

While I request a made-to-order cooling drink of fresh mint covered in Chateldon bubbly water and ice cubes. This has become my summer 'tea' drink of choice. The waiter kindly brought a tiny pitcher of sugar syrup unasked. Perfection. 

Perfection all around at Le Royal Monceau Raffles. You'll feel simply divine. Watch the hotel staff do the 'Happy' dance if you can't race over there for tea this afternoon.