Luxury tea emporium, Mariage Frères brings true tea savoir-faire to the capital in its beautiful five-storey listed Georgian townhouse on Covent Garden’s King Street. Step inside and Mariage Frères’ meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to quality, is evident in every detail and product, from the elegant retail space and restaurant, specialising in tea gastronomy, through to the two private events spaces and the tea museum. A feature by columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.
THÉ Mariage Frères continues to set the standards in luxury teas offering an unrivalled and the largest collection of tea in the world from its apothecary-style wall, stretching to over 1,200sqm. Organised like the grandest of wine cellars with exceptional crus composed of subtle and sophisticated blends, all are available by the weight from antique black canisters. Discover 1,000 aromatic varieties from 36 tea-producing countries
Unique and specifically blended for Mariage Frères first London store is the Covent Garden Morning – a luminous black morning tea with aromatic notes of hazelnut.
Recognising the 19th century roots of the brand, 170 years later Mariage Frères continues to offer a traditional and artisan approach to tea-making. Tea specialists, dressed in white linen, are on hand to offer customers expert advice before they purchase their chosen blend from the vintage cashier booth, recreated in the style of the original stations manned by the Mariage brothers back in 1854.
Other products, including seasonal collections, all beautifully packaged in an eye-watering array of jewel-like colours, include an assortment of tea-flavoured and tea-scented items from incense through to confectionary, gift sets, distinctive teapots and teacups, books, strainers and tea paraphernalia.
For those looking for a luxury grab-and-go experience or an elevated lunch, Mariage Frères offers over 50 types of freshly brewed tea alongside the most beautiful looking, freshly prepared open sandwiches, sweet and savoury pastries.
SALON DE THÉ
On the first floor, discerning diners are seated either in the Voyage, an elegant gallery, flooded with daylight from the atrium above and surrounded by an intricate listed heritage balustrade, or in the beautiful White Himalaya room surrounded by antique tea canisters. Walls are adorned with modern art and prints featuring the creative imagery used in Marco Polo tea campaigns dating back to the 19th century.
Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, Mariage Frères’ unique Cuisine au Thé concept runs throughout the menus, using tea as a delicate ingredient, spice or flavouring in every dish. Exquisite presentation, generous portion sizes with flavours on point, impeccable service with suggestions at hand, charming interiors and decadent vibe, makes it a meal experience to remember and is highly recommended!
Light and contemporary dishes include avocado guacamole-style with Japanese Matcha green tea and sweet potato crisps; seared Thai-style beef tartar seasoned with Lune RougeÒ tea, honey soy sauce, ginger, cashew and toasted sesame; veal with Jasmin Bohème tea; roasted chicken with smoky Black Léopard Tea jus; and Saumon Matcha with sautéed spinach, Siam rice and barberries. Tea-infused desserts are a delicious work of art with the likes of Rouge in Love with Paris Over the Rainbow rooibos tea-candied strawberries with cream, bourbon vanilla shortbread and French meringue; and a decadent Carré D’Or, a 24-carat dessert of dark chocolate covered with Black Magic Tea and 24-carat gold leaves. Their green, blue, black and red teas sitting alongside fruit teas, vintage varieties, unique harvests and the brand’s with white, yellow, signature Marco Polo blend.
All-day brunch is served every day and is an integral part of the Mariage Frères menu with Parisien set meals, all featuring freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice, toasted brioche with Gelées Extra de Thé and Aquitaine butter; a tea-infused dessert, choice of tea and a Mariage cocktail or glass of champagne. Enjoy with scrambled eggs seasoned with Sel Matcha, artisan marinated smoked salmon and shrimp, Japanese matcha green tea fromage frais with herb and pomegranate-glazed salad; or roasted, braised and confit of vegetables in I Have a Dream tea.
The afternoon teas are a must try with a variety on offer including the King Street Afternoon Tea with a choice of savoury amuse bouche and pastries; or enjoy a warm freshly baked Parisien fruit scone with Mariage Frères Gelées de Thé.
As well as a vast range of teas and champagne, Mariage Frères offers a selection of stunning tea cocktails including the Opéra Blue Dream, blue tea with red fruits, vanilla aromas and gin; the Mariage’s with Marco Polo Rouge red tea syrup and champagne and a Mirabeau Ballet, black tea with red hibiscus blended with liquorice, lychee and white rum.
MUSÉE
The Musée du Thé on the second floor showcases tea antiques from around the world enriched by the Mariage Frères family’s personal collection from their years travelling at sea. Hand-illustrated oak and beech tea chests, pewter tea boxes, Chinese furniture made of carved wood, caddies, cannisters, teapots, old archives and an array of curiosities line the walls, providing a fascinating insight into the history of tea.
SALON PRIVÉ
For private events and tea tastings, two private rooms, accommodating up to 30 seated and 50 standing, one with its own terrace; are available.
Mariage Frères was founded by brothers Henri and Edouard Mariage in 1854 and has been operating out of the Marais district of Paris ever since 1854. Over one hundred years later, in 1983, this heritage was adopted by two ‘outsides’ – Richard Bueno from Holland and Kitti Cha Sangmanee from Thailand – who decided to breathe new life into it. Joined in 1987 by another great tea lover, Franck Desains, the new men at Mariage Frères developed a unique gourmet approach to tea, now known as ‘French tea’. Its exceptional reputation, specialist tea salons across the world, gourmet products and unique Cuisine au Thé concept have created an iconic French brand favoured by haute couture fashion houses, supermodels and celebrities.
The brand is currently stocked in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols as well as in some of London finest restaurants and hotels including The Rosewood, Claridge’s, and Hide. Their Products are also available to buy online.
