Hotel George V Afternoon Tea

Have you walked inside the Hotel George V?

31, Avenue George V 75008

The flower bouquets throughout 

Are simply to die for.

American florist Jeff Leatham has partnered with the George V

For the past 15 years since it was taken over by the Four Seasons and renovated.

His distinctive touch is everywhere.

The color theme changes every 5 weeks.

Flowers are refreshed hourly. The hotel's world famous restaurant Cinq is graced with his signature bouquets.

He has a new book coming out shortly. This book is from a few years ago. Do look at his Pinterest page. Wow!

My tea partner Rosemary (we visited Guerlain's 68 previously) picked a dessert from the trolley that was pom-pom shaped like Leatham's flowers.

A choux pastry filled with caramelized cream, pecans and touches of dark chocolate created by new pastry chef, Laurent Gautier.

 

We shared desserts. Rosemary came dressed appropriately in pink

To match the tapestry rugs in La Galeria.

And my pink champagne.

The High tea 'Celebration' 68 included champagne, tea, sandwiches, petit fours, and scones was 70€, definitely a splurge, but if it's your birthday or anniversary why not?

An afternoon of luxe, calm et volupté is in order non? We were guests of the hotel since it was no ones birthday.

Rosemary Flannery, an art historian, leads art tours in Paris and author of The Angels of Paris, so only she would know the divine cannele pastry means fluting.

Same as the fluting on a classical column.

After tea we got a grand tour of the hotel. The spa is instant serenity. Soothing aromas fill the hallways.

I've become obsessed with Parisian hotel elevator cages. The George V was built in 1928 and has decidedly Deco influences.

We got to see the absolute creme de la creme of hotel penthouses - room after room of luxury. Perfect for a dreamy honeymoon.

Inside and out on the terrace are views of the Eiffel Tower banked with Jeff Leatham white orchids. This painting in the penthouse perfectly captures the overall spirit of Hotel Georgs V. Lush and grand. Need I say more? Do stop in for a look and perhaps a tea in La Galeria.

Summer in the City

Guess where I am?

Paris Plage! Pretty amazing you have to admit non?

At Hotel de Ville there's a big l'eau de Paris stand (pavillon).

Free fresh, cold water is served as well as bubbly (pétillante) streaming c/o Castalie thank you very much.

The very same elegant bubbly water I drank in my cooking class at BHV  ecole de Cuisine Alain Ducasse. Pretty cool non? More to come soon.

I love the summer icy Rosé popsicle poster at Nicholas.

Rosé is the summer drink du jour. The range of melon colors - gorgeous.

I tried a diabolo menthe out with Rosemary. Remember the old French movie of the same name?

I'm still coveting her red watch..

If you're going away, isn't this the perfect carry all from Fabriano on 90, rue du Bac.

What They are wearing on rue du Bac.

On the bus They are wearing flowers in their hair. Her pink sash says 'Hen Party'?

In the cafes more flower wreaths.

On the nails lots of color. Today I saw someone wearing French Ultramarine bleu on hands and toes.

Red melons galore in the marché.

The perfect summer cadeau (gift) to take when invited to a French friend's for petit dejeuner called une panaché or melange of fruits rouges (5€).

Everyone asks me when/where I'm going on vacance. I just have to cross the bridge (Pont Sully) to Paris Plage et Voila!

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.