To ask fo ideas to replace the Ritz

[Putyourdamnshoeson]

We're going on holiday, booked pre covid. We're both 40 in next two weeks dcs never been abroad (8 & 10).we are staying in London for one day before heading off.
We are trying to do suo aoevosk things. We had planned o m going to the Ritz for afternoon tea, just gone too book and only slot left is 7.30pm. Not ideal.

Quick, any ideas for alternative, equally special things to do?

Browns is lovely for tea. It does get very booked up though..

I’ve done afternoon tea in both the Ritz and One Aldwych. Both amazing experiences but the willy wonka one was loved more by my children. The food was amazing and very clever.

The Dorchester is lovely and the Alice in wonderland tea at the Sanderson is great!

Claridges or the Dorchester.

Thought this was a thread about crackers!!.

The sky gardens

I’ve done most of them apart from the bus as I get travel sick. My favourites are the shard for views but not the best tea. The ritz is great for ambience but it’s a bit like a conveyor belt. My favourite is always the Langham but the Prada tea at the Berkeley is loved by my dcs. Didn’t rate the Sanderson. Goring is proper grown up tea. Sketch is fun. Don’t bother with the Corinthia or Dorchester. Savoy was good. Wellesley beautiful room but no atmosphere. Claridges & Rosewood both decent.

Kimpton Fitzroy in Russell Square

Facing the ritz there is 1930 fancy tea room The Grand by Concerto I think that what it called

The Delaunay in Aldwych. It's lovely, and a bit cheaper than the Ritz.

Dorchester
Savoy
Claridges

These are most like the ritz, most offer a themed tea at certain times so depending on the ages of your children it may be worth checking this out.

The Connaught

Another vote for the Wolseley. Or Sketch

The townhouse does a London landmarks afternoon tea but not sure if it's on right now.

Well, it was DH's 40th birthday today, so I've been busy.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I've been researching and thinking about them loads.

So, I've decided that it has to be really fun or iconic. The Ritz being iconic. But I really don't think I want a conveyor belt feel or to be there at 7.30om, presumably until 9. For a start, we're hetting the Eirostar the next morning!

The Wellesley aren't taking bookings until October and Aldwych Kne until September.

F & M has some icon status, but it doesn't grab me.

I remembered about Cakes and Bubbles but it's closed until further notice too.

I really like the idea of it, or the willy wonka tea as something quirky.

Also now considering other restaurants for lunch/dinner, that will be soecial/fun/quirky. It's the first day of a two week, multi city trip and we've been holed up in our provincial town, we want some pizzazz! 😂

Please keep the suggestions coming!

How about the Ritz dinner dance? My DH recently booked for my birthday on the recommendation of someone at work and it looks fabulous- dinner with live music and would be a really special 40th

We've got our children, aged 8 & 10 with us. Also, DH doesn't dance in public, thankfully.

I've just checked out Sketch, it'll be open, is bookable and looks incredible! I think it may be the winner.

This thread has really puzzled me, I live in Scotland and things are just opening back up and to be honest, everywhere sounds like a shit laugh: hardly any tables, two-hour limits on tables, weird toilet policies.... is London business as usual then?

(Apols for hijack OP)

I live in Somerset and it isn't dissimilar. Loads of what I'm looking at for London is closed still. That's half the problem. This is for three weeks from now. We're going up on train, arriving noon, staying over, then getting train to Amsterdam next day. All booked in January.

We need to eat and we're determined to make the best of it. Some London Facebook acquaintances do seem to be almost business as usual. With masks, anti back and some other measures.

F&M afternoon tea is very disappointing!

There are much better places - my favourite is Browns (though the Mandarin Oriental sounds good!)

Oh sorry you’ve chosen - and Sketch sounds good!

Go on one of the glass sided boats that go up the Thames. The foods good. They normally take a family photo of you. Plus you see the sights.
I loved it.

How well behaved are your children?

Don’t do the glass sided boat thing. Good suggestion but you’ll get plenty of that in Amsterdam.

I'm not 100% decided. Happy for more options.

My kids are really well behaved (in public) no qualms taking them anywhere.

Not keen on the boat. We have done something similar.