The Rosebery — Restaurant in London

It's always been a dream of mine to visit the Mandarin Oriental for afternoon tea, so my friend and I booked it and took a day off work.

As I had a walking aid, I asked one of the door men where do I go for the afternoon tea? He pointed at the stairs at the front, so I emphasised on my walking aid. I had to wait for a staff member to take me through another entrance down the street. However when we got there, his fob didn't work so I was told to wait afew minutes while he went inside to unlock the door to let me in. He was going to leave me to find the restaurant but in the end he escorted me there.

However, even leaving the hotel, it wasn't straightforward. My friend and I popped to the restrooms and proceeded to leave the exact way I was shown in. But we ended up being locked out and had to grab someone's attention, then they had to call door staff at the front to come and assist.

Another incident, when we went to the toilet, again I was told to use the stairs, until I pointed out again my situation and my walking aid. Then we were signposted to a lift which did not even access the LG floor. From the three experiences, I felt staff were not very attentive or alert with customers with disabilities or limited mobility. Must take note.

Enough of this, let's get on with the Rosebery for the afternoon tea. The manager was the only staff who noted my circumstance and showed me to a table near the front. It was set up for four and had two Chanel paper bags so I queried but he assured me it was fine and the bags were removed. I sat down and my friend shortly arrived. I booked a table for two at 15:15pm. I found it strange then even after ordering the tea and letting the manager know we were ready for the food (sandwiches, scones and sweet pastries) it took absolutely ages. I was famished.

Then I started to notice tables around us who arrived after us were served and almost finished eating. I looked at my watch, it had been over an hour and yet there was nothing, no one asked, we were just left alone drinking the tea. I couldn't see the manager who I had spoken to earlier, so I spoke to a female staff member and asked what was causing such a delay?

I was told, they thought there were four of us and assumed we were waiting for the others. At this point, I told them it was incorrect and wanted to show them my booking details and reference. Why weren't we asked? Again, staff didn't seem very attentive. No apology was given.

One thing I picked up on, staff will pour tea to fill your cup, almost too often. I didn't like this. I like my tea hot when I drink it, please don't keep filling it up then it gets too cold to drink. This really was a first for me. When the sandwiches finally arrived, I was starving. We were told there would be live music, a violinist played a variety of tunes. Thank goodness we weren't sitting close by otherwise it would be difficult to have conversations.

Sandwiches were curled and clipped, not your usual finger sandwiches. We liked the beef one and the coronation chicken. They noted shellfish allergy.

Nice scones, didn't like the three jam choices, would prefer just one of the strawberry jam & the clotted cream wasn't generous either.

I often find the sweet pastries look so dainty and cute but taste wise, it's usually a slight disappointment. I was praying I would be wrong but no, it was disappointing especially as one of the tennis ball cakes was crusged and spoilt the whole appearance.

We hadn't finished but towards the end, staff gave us two dark chocolate ice lollies. As we hadn't finished the food, we left it for a while, the timing wasn't good so by the time we tried them, my lolly was almost falling off the lolly stick, ruined it.

So on conclusion, this was one of the most expensive afternoon teas £86 pp, (I had have 15+ around London), overall experience and service was a let down and disappointment, staff just wasn't attentive enough, I've had far better service elsewhere. Very sad, I have always wanted to enjoy the afternoon tea at the MO but sadly, it didn't...

The Rosebery at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London's Knightsbridge is an absolute gem when it comes to experiencing a truly memorable afternoon tea. From the moment you step into the elegant restaurant, you are transported into a world of refined luxury and indulgence.

The ambiance of The Rosebery is simply enchanting. The beautifully designed space exudes a timeless charm with its plush seating, soft lighting, and exquisite attention to detail. It creates an atmosphere that is both inviting and sophisticated, making it the perfect setting for a leisurely afternoon tea experience.

The afternoon tea itself is a true delight for the senses. The carefully curated selection of teas offers a wide range of flavors, each served with the utmost care and precision. The knowledgeable staff is more than happy to guide you through the tea menu, ensuring that you find the perfect blend to suit your taste.

The tiered tray of delectable treats that arrives at your table is a sight to behold. The assortment of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and an array of sweet pastries and desserts is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Each item is beautifully presented and crafted with exceptional attention to detail, showcasing the culinary artistry of The Rosebery's talented chefs.

What sets The Rosebery apart is the impeccable service provided by the staff. From the moment you are seated until the final bite, the team ensures that your every need is met with grace and warmth. Their attention to detail, knowledge of the menu, and genuine passion for creating a memorable experience truly elevate the afternoon tea at The Rosebery to new heights.

In summary, The Rosebery at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge is a haven of luxury and sophistication, offering an afternoon tea experience that is second to none. From the exquisite ambiance to the delectable treats and impeccable service, every aspect is crafted to perfection. It is a place where you can indulge in a moment of tranquility and delight in the company of loved ones. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an extraordinary afternoon tea...

We left extremely disappointed with this afternoon tea experience, especially given the steep price of £80+ per person. We had come to celebrate my graduation, however from the moment we arrived, it felt more like sitting in a casual hotel bar/café than the refined afternoon tea we expected- low sofas and uninspiring surroundings did not set the right tone.

Things quickly went downhill when a waitress spilled milk near us and then gave us a sour look, making us feel like we had somehow caused the issue. That unfriendly attitude lingered throughout the service, with the sour expression remaining throughout. Another waiter assured us we’d receive coronation chicken sandwiches we’d requested, only to come back over an hour later saying it couldn’t be done. It felt more like they simply couldn’t be bothered.

Service in general was poor: nobody checked on us, we had to chase and repeat requests for items that were wrong or missing, and staff would often turn their backs mid-conversation as if they were keen to avoid us, despite our politeness. We even had to argue over something as small as switching to plain scones (a request we’d made in advance) which they tried to charge extra for, and only relented after unnecessary fuss.

The food itself was inconsistent. Savoury items were hit or miss and nowhere near the standard we’d expect for this price point. Teas were lacklustre, lacking both variety and flavour. Only the desserts showed any redeeming quality.

At the end, when we specifically asked for the bill without a service charge, the manager finally enquired about our experience. She did offer a small gift as an apology, which was appreciated, but this was immediately overshadowed when she accidentally spilled tea over my skirt as we were paying.

Overall, the entire experience felt careless, overpriced, and unprofessional. Many staff seemed disinterested or unhappy to be there, which was reflected in the service. This was far from the polished afternoon tea we were expecting and absolutely not...