Reimagining a British Tradition
At Lilli by Akira Back, every menu begins with a question: how can we honour tradition while bringing something new to the table?
This philosophy is perhaps most evident in our Afternoon Tea experience, where we reimagine one of Britain’s most cherished rituals through the lens of creativity, seasonality and craftsmanship. While the foundations remain familiar, guests will discover thoughtful touches and refined flavours that reflect Chef Akira Back’s contemporary approach to dining.
For Chef Back and the culinary team, afternoon tea is more than an assortment of sandwiches and pastries. It’s an opportunity to showcase precision, balance and storytelling through every course, creating an experience that feels both comforting and unexpected.
As we move through July, our kitchen continues to celebrate the season’s finest ingredients, carefully crafting each element of the Afternoon Tea menu to deliver a memorable journey from the first bite to the last.
Beginning with Warmth
Every Afternoon Tea begins with a comforting amuse-bouche: a Forest Mushroom Velouté finished with truffle oil.
This opening course sets the tone for the experience. Rich yet elegant, the velouté showcases the kitchen’s dedication to flavour development and attention to detail. We use aromatic truffle oil to enhance the earthy depth of the mushrooms, creating a warm welcome that immediately invites guests into Chef Back’s culinary world.
It’s a small but significant reminder that every element of the menu is thoughtfully considered.
Savoury Favourites with a Refined Touch
The savoury selection celebrates classic Afternoon Tea traditions while highlighting premium ingredients and contemporary presentation.
Guests can enjoy Oak-Smoked Salmon on rye bread, complemented by horseradish crème and pickled cucumber, creating a balance of richness, freshness and gentle acidity. The Coronation Chicken on granary bread offers a modern take on a beloved British favourite, enhanced with golden sultanas and micro coriander for subtle sweetness and aromatic complexity.
Vegetarian guests also have plenty to look forward to. The Foraged Herb Egg Mayonnaise, served on tomato loaf with mustard cress, serves as a zingy accompaniment to the Lime Compressed Cucumber sandwich, featuring herb goat cheese and sorrel. Both showcase the kitchen’s commitment to creating vibrant, flavour-led options that celebrate seasonal produce.
The Dressed Crab Brioche Roll is another standout offering, pairing delicate crab with celeriac and lemon balm. Light, fresh and beautifully balanced, it captures the essence of summer dining while bringing a touch of indulgence to the Afternoon Tea experience.
The Art of Pastry
For many guests, Afternoon Tea is synonymous with the sweet course, and our pastry team approaches this part of the menu with exceptional care and creativity.
Drawing inspiration from both classic European patisserie and contemporary techniques, the selection delivers a variety of textures and flavours designed to complement one another.
The Matcha Opera combines delicate layers of matcha sponge, buttercream and ganache, offering a subtle nod to Asian influences while remaining rooted in French pastry tradition. The Vanilla Mille-Feuille showcases crisp puff pastry paired with smooth vanilla diplomat cream, demonstrating the precision required to execute a timeless classic.
Seasonal notes continue with the Glazed Pear Tartelette, featuring almond cream, crème pâtissier and delicate floral accents, while the Elderflower and Lemon Verbena Posset provides a refreshing finish enhanced by seasonal berries. Each dessert has been carefully developed to contribute its own character to the overall experience.
A Celebration of the Classic Scone
No Afternoon Tea is complete without freshly baked scones. At Lilli, this tradition remains an essential part of the experience.
Served warm with strawberry jam, clotted cream and lemon curd, the scones offer a moment of familiarity amidst the menu’s contemporary touches. They embody everything that makes Afternoon Tea so enduring: simplicity, quality ingredients and the pleasure of sharing a timeless ritual.
Alongside the scones, guests can enjoy an assortment of miniature macarons in chocolate and raspberry flavours, adding a final flourish of colour and sweetness to the afternoon.
Elevating the Experience
For those looking to make the occasion even more memorable, guests can choose between our Traditional Afternoon Tea or Champagne Afternoon Tea experience, the latter accompanied by a glass of Billecart-Salmon Le Réserve Champagne.
Celebrating a special occasion? Catching up with friends? Or simply taking a moment to slow down and savour the afternoon? No matter the reason for your visit, we’ve designed the experience to feel both luxurious and welcoming.
From Our Kitchen to Your Table
What makes Afternoon Tea at Lilli truly special is the collaboration behind the scenes. From the pastry chefs perfecting delicate desserts to the culinary team preparing each savoury bite with precision and care, every member of the kitchen contributes to creating an experience that reflects Chef Akira Back’s vision.
This July, we invite you to join us and discover Afternoon Tea through a new perspective – one that honours tradition while embracing creativity, craftsmanship and exceptional hospitality.
We look forward to welcoming you to Lilli by Akira Back.
To reserve your Afternoon Tea at Lilli by Akira Back, please visit our reservations page or contact the team directly.
