A few years ago I reviewed the Art Tea at the Merrion Hotel and I've always remembered it as being the nicest in terms of food, service and setting. It was also the best value of all the afternoon teas I've tried so far in Dublin. When I saw the Merrion Hotel was collaborating with the Berkeley Hotel in London I thought the idea was lovely and even mentioned it in my Christmas gift guide.
I tried to book it for myself but they didn't have any availability, so I was delighted when a few weeks later I was invited to the launch thanks to this little blog.
The Berkeley is a five-star hotel located in the beautiful Knightsbridge area of London. They've been combining fashion and pastries for the last ten years with their ‘Prêt-à-Portea’, in which their head pastry chef Mourad Khiat has been creating sweet treats inspired from some of the world's most famous fashion designers such as Dolce and Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Moschino and more.
The Merrion Hotel in Dublin are hosting chef Mourad Khiat and his team from the Berkeley for one week only starting on Saturday 28th of January 2017. They will be serving their iconic afternoon tea and have also created two cakes inspired by Irish fashion designers Orla Kiely and Louise Kennedy. It’s not everyday you get to eat an Orla Kiely handbag!
At the launch I got to taste many of the treats from the Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea and particularly liked the Dolce and Gabbana’s duo of blackcurrant bavarois and star anise pannacotta, topped with chocolate owl dress design. Also the Jimmy Choo’s glittery gala pointed-toe shoe velvet praline cream cake with hazelnut croquant and sweetheart bow was delicious.
We were also given the recently published ‘Prêt-à-Portea’ book, which contains a collection of 20 recipes from Mourad and which will be available to buy at the Merrion.
Now I don’t think there is any availability left (you might want to check with the Merrion) but the Prêt-à-Portea might come back to Dublin, or you can always check it out at the Berkeley if you fancy chewing on a Jimmy Choo shoe!
Disclaimer: I was invited to this launch free of charge. I gave no undertaking to write an article and the words above are, as always, my honest opinion.
The Merrion Hotel
Merrion Street Upper
Dublin 2
