Where do you go when you’re hungry and tired and in need of a stiff refreshment?
The sophisticated answer is City Social, on the 24th floor of London’s Tower 42, where a new dessert combines the kick of a cocktail with the sweet embrace of afternoon tea.
Cuban Delights, as it’s known, is the result of a partnership between restaurateur Jason Atherton, rum-maker Havana Club 7 and perfumer Cecile Zarokian. The latter’s contribution is a card impregnated with Cuban Nights, a scent intended to evoke the easy glamour of Havana.
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The desserts themselves arrive in a trio, described as bite-sized, but in practice each furnishing more than one forkful. The rum baba (four bites) is an obvious choice, delightfully executed, while the Turkish delight-like ‘pate de fruits’ (one big bite or two dainty ones) and buttery coconut financier (three bites) are more adventurous.
The recommendation is that you drink the rum as an accompaniment to the puddings, sipping espresso after each one to clear the palette. But regardless of the procedure, you’ll descend from City Social on a triple-high of alcohol, sugar and caffeine.