Delicious tea time at the Shangri-La Paris by Timothy Lam

Looking for a sweet break? How about one of the best tea times in the capital? A wind of change is blowing through the Shangri-La Paris, which welcomes a new Pastry Chef: Timothy Lam, who worked at the Jules Verne and then the Bristol, and is Maxence Barbot's second-in-command, is taking over the reins of the grand hotel's sweet score. His first tea time is in the Bauhinia, under the beautiful Eiffel glass roof.

Open to all, Saturdays and Sundays from 2:30pm to 6:00pm, this afternoon tea is sure to please. And this new version, featuring the chef's Franco-Asian origins, should awaken your taste buds in search of something new.

We start by choosing a drink: cappuccino, refined teas or gourmet hot chocolate are on the menu. With the heat of the moment, we opt for coffee and iced tea.

Here, we're back to a true English tea time, since unlike his predecessors, Timothy Lam, in duo with Simon Havage, the new Bauhinia chef, offers a savory section. This includes three finger sandwiches with smoked salmon and yuzu, poultry and truffle, and a vegetarian club featuring eggplant. Although a little classic for our taste, the clubs are soft and the flavors are straightforward. Very good indeed.

We then move on to the pre-dessert, a surprisingly fresh and tangy creation combining strawberry, aloe-vera, yuzu and Thai basil. We're not used to Thai basil in desserts, so it's surprising.

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We continue with the intensely nutty chou which, as its name suggests, is intense and very gourmand. We're delighted with the Madagascar vanilla entremets, made in the style of rice pudding, but with tapioca pearls. It's beautifully balanced and creamy-sweet.

If you were drifting off to sleep, don't worry: apricot verbena in a trompe-l'œil tartlet and rhubarb elderflower will give you a boost. If you like it tangy, Paradis isn't far from the Trocadero.

Would you like to discover a new tea time? Whether you're with friends or loved ones, it's a great way to spend a moment in a unique setting. Tea time costs 68 euros per person.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.