I do apologise, I didn’t explain myself quite adequately in my first comment. I should have said that the English part of Samovar’s menu failed the Afternoon tea test from several Brit’s points of view.
On our visit we were served up sandwiches the size of door steps made with stale bread instead of the delicate kind of sandwiches we expected with something described as English. It wasn’t that they got it wrong that caused the dissatisfaction, it was that they did a very poor job of delivery.

I see now from Samovar’s website that instead of sandwiches they serve Quiche – a French dish – as part of their English Tea Service. In terms of authenticity this would be something like selling an “American Burger” made from kangaroo meat.

But like I remarked previously – I don’t think things should have to be authentic anyway. If people are enjoying heir English tea with quiche, then good for them. For me, when I revisit Samovar, I will try something which I have less set cultural expectations about and probably will enjoy it just fine.

And if I need a fix of English Afternoon Tea that’s more as I’d expect it to be, like Shuna suggested I’d go to Lovejoys or better still make it myself.

Of course I will give them another try with an open mind. Maybe I’ll go with you?

Give me a break.

Having been to London and traveled extensively across the British Isles I can say that “British” high tea is anything but a singular, consistent experience. High Tea at Claridges, for example ($200 USD per person) is charming but by no means uniquely or exclusively British affair. Their teas hail from the regions OUTSIDE England and moreover Clairidges cuisine is influenced by locations such as Polynesia and Japan. Last year I had passion fruit and green tea mousse?!

With a name such as Samovar, the message should be clear to all who enter — the patron is thankfully OUTSIDE the British Empire. And let us not forget that tea is decidedly NOT English. Tea’s origins are Indian, Persian and Chinese. The term itself The or Tea comes from Chai or Chai’i (or ‘that which is from Chai.”) The term itself invokes the word “China.”

Funny, but I don’t recall the words “England, Britain, UK, Pommie, Limie or Brit” having anything remotely to do with tea or tea growing.

If you want an authentic TEA experience, I recommend Samovar highly. If you’d rather eat deep fried blood pudding w/ a warm beer and bag of crisps while shouting w/ your hooligan mates, then i recommend staying back in London.

Blimey!

Indeed, Samovar could very well fail the British tea test, but at least you have Lovejoy’s, right?

As someone who does know the difference between clotted cream and Devonshire Double Cream I can not speak to the Samovar website, I can only speak to the actual dairy condiment I have been served– gorgeous, no matter what the test.

I prefer 18th street but mostly because it will forever hold so many gorgeous loving and also bittersweet memories from tea people I love. I’m doggedly loyal, but I have also begun to make some new memories at Yerba Buena Gardens.

I hope, no matter what location you pick, you give them an open-minded chance to please you in other ways even if they cannot pass a Brit tea test. Tea is beloved for many a culture.

which location do you prefer?