I seem to be coming clean to alot at the moment. Revealing my honesty last week of visiting a certain gastropub and not wanting too – but falling completely in love with it. Or my local Indian which looked like rather shabby from outside, but turned out to be utterly delicious inside. This time around however it was a similar story, but for a very different reason and it comes down to one word – vegan. I understand what a vegan is and actually I can see why people become one or are one – but personally it’s just not me. So when I found myself booking into a vegan afternoon tea just north of Hyde Park, I wasn’t only sceptical – but surprised for me being so inquisitive. I think I had this underlying craving to prove that Vegan dining couldn’t be satisfying. But oh how I failed miserably.

Don’t be put off by the name, or selling point, of the afternoon tea at RAW – it may be guilt free and vegan but it’s delicious and satisfying nonetheless.

Located inside boutique hotel La Suite West (just over the road from Bayswater tube station) visitors are greeted at the front desk with a complementary smoothie of the day – on the day I went it was pear, apple and lemon, and was lovely. Service excels from the moment you walk in.

You can choose whether to take your tea indoors or outside. Despite its location, the outside seating area is peaceful and relaxing, as it faces onto an attractive residential area rather than the main road.

The afternoon tea itself is priced at £27 per person. For that you get a glass of non alcoholic fizz (RAW doesn’t serve alcohol), and as much loose leaf tea (in varying flavours) and coffee as you like, as well as, of course the nibbles. 

The selection of finger sandwiches have interesting fillings; my favourites were avocado chilli mousse with rocket and roast tomato with sunflower seed pesto. Of the canapes, the hummus on gluten free bread were surprisingly moreish, and I would never have guessed that the cheese in the filo pastry bites with asparagus was actually made of almonds!

It was unanimously agreed amongst my group that the highlight were the scones – homemade and served with strawberries and whipped coconut ‘cream’ , they were light and not too filling.

The desserts were also surprisingly good – the sticky toffee and chocolate fudge cake bites were decadent and as good as any dairy version I can think of. And the mini squares of lemon cake topped with cacao cream, coconut and pomegranate... I’m convinced the cacao cream was Nutella!

For an unhealthy eating, heavy meat eater, I was really surprised how impressed I was by RAW. They certainly challenged the misconception that vegan food has to be boring! I will definitely be going back for dinner sometime.