The Latest from London's One Aldwych

Yesterday, representatives of London’s One Aldwych came to New York, and we had the opportunity to meet up with them for lunch and catch up on the latest buzz from the Covent Garden hotel.

A new guest-only lounge—aptly called the Lounge at One—has opened, with books on fashion, iPads and old-school print magazines (yes, some places still have these) and even snacks available throughout the day.

Then there’s Live at One, a new program that combines a live stream of programing from the Royal Opera House or the Royal Shakespeare Company in the hotel’s 30-seat screening room with dinner at Axis restaurant. (Guests can get dessert at the intermission.) Screenings include David Tennant (famous on this side of the Pond as one of the more recent Doctors on TV’s Doctor Who) and Carlos Acosta in Don Quixote

The dishes served at the restaurant are quintessentially British: Chef Dominic Teague might create starters of Yorkshire game terrine, poached blackberries and gorse flowers and Roast Scottish scallops, apple and sea purslane; entrees of Poached filet of plaice, truffle mash potato and pickled girolles and Duo of Denham Estate venison, butternut squash, thyme and red wine jus.  Desserts include Dark chocolate tart with poached cherries and Vanilla cheesecake, mandarin and honeycomb.

The Live at One series is open to the public, but the hotel’s screening room only has 30 seats, so book early. There is also a package that includes a screening, dinner, Champagne, accommodation and breakfast in the morning. (Check out www.onealdwych.com/movies for details.)

The hotel has also partnered with the West End production of the new musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  An afternoon tea inspired by both the show and the original Roald Dahl children’s book has been a popular addition to the hotel’s dining options. (It’s more than just chocolate. There are cotton candy lollipops and a wide range of creative confections. And for those with less of a sweet tooth, there are plenty of savory options as well.)

True tea fans will want to take a masterclass with Chef Teague: From fall to spring of next year, the chef will share his tricks of the trade in five classes.  

The day begins at 9:30am with a light breakfast in the Lobby Bar, followed by a two-hour masterclass in Axis kitchen where Chef Teague teaches guests how to prepare vanilla and blackberry macaroons, flavored candyfloss (otherwise known as cotton candy) and chocolate éclairs, among other teatime treats. Throughout the masterclass, Chef Teague will share his top baking tips and advice on technique and presentation. 

After the last item has been iced, guests can sample their freshly-baked creations with a selection of finger sandwiches and scones served with clotted cream and home-made jams. Bonus: Guests all get recipe cards to recreate the sweets of the day at home to impress friends and family. 

One Aldwych’s afternoon tea masterclasses runs on the following dates:
Saturday 26th October 2013
Saturday 23rd November 2013
Saturday 25th January 2014
Saturday 22nd February 2014
Saturday 29 March 2014

The masterclass includes: 
-    a light breakfast
-    two hour masterclass
-    Chef Dominic Teague’s top baking tips
-    Afternoon Tea in Axis
-    branded apron to take home
-    recipe cards to take home

Good to know: The class is limited to eight bakers, so book early. Reach out to contact a rep at the Axis restaurant: [email protected];  011-44-20-7300-0300.