But recently, the only afternoon teas that have peaked my interest are the ones that aren’t steeped in the traditions of rich people from the 19th century. Buyagift offered me the chance to try out the afternoon tea at Rabot 1745 (the restaurant from Hotel Chocolat). It’s a promising alternative to the norm, with cocoa being the recurring theme from start to finish. Don’t want tea? There’s hot chocolate. Bored of Victoria sponge? This comes with a very good banana bread. And just when I thought I’d face another round of wimpy cucumber sandwiches, their tasty, pimped up version comes with cocoa nibs, along with dill and cream cheese.

Here’s the full menu: 

• Rare Beef with white chocolate horseradish
  Cacao Gin cured salmon & avocado
  Classic chicken club with chocolate aioli
  Cucumber, dill, cream cheese & cocoa nib
  House made banana bread
  Chocolate and orange scone, cocoa whip
• Served with chocolate spread, cocoa nib butter, strawberry jam
  Caramelised white chocolate cheesecake
  Mulled wine jelly

It’s not a bad spread for £20 each either (you can add a glass of prosecco for an extra fiver) – and even if you’re not a hard-core chocolate lover, it’s still worth giving a whirl (#doitforthegram). Check out a few more pics from my visit below:

For more details visit buyagift.co.uk. 

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The pop-up takes place monthly from 6th April.  For more info, visit: www.facebook.com/la.tentation.5/posts/623209831101348

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Described as a “live interactive stand-up documentary”, it follows the story of how performer Nathan Penlington found somebody’s childhood diary and decided to track down the writer. What makes it a little different from your usual theatric experience is that at each step of the way, the audience is given the power to decide what happens next. With the option to partake in electronic voting (could this be the first X Factor/ theatre mashup?) what this means is that there are theoretically over 1500 possible routes that the story can take – think of it as truly democratic storytelling. If it’s anything like my experiences, you’ll be locked in a room with a murderous clown in the first fifteen minutes, but if nothing else, you can guarantee that this is one show where every night will be truly different. (Words: Charlotte Lydia) 

Choose Your Own Documentary runs from 6-10 November at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

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Having visited Peru at the ripe old age of 14, my lasting memories of the national cuisine were roasted guinea pig and rainbow trout – the latter quite lovely, the former a scene straight out of Pet Rescue. The cuisine since then has evolved thanks to the help of a few gastronomes who are exporting a sophisticated version of their complex cuisine. Virgilio Martinez who runs Central Restaurante in Lima, opened Lima London in Fiztrovia to rapturous ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’. Their style is to mix the authentic, indigenous ingredients with an haute cuisine twist. The food styling is right up to date, but their ingredients are definitely something more out there. Ancient inspired products such as red kiwicha and sacha inchi oil are present as well as the token fois gras, restaurants of a certain stature can’t do without. They also have an extensive Pisco cocktail menu (that’s the firewater of Peru, made from grape brandy).

Lima’s more casual and funky cousin Ceviche is unbelievably popular with the Soho crowd, with queues regularly gracing Frith Street. It started life as a tweet, yes, strange but true, by Martin Morales who desperately wanted to open a Peruvian restaurant. As its name suggests Ceviche takes as its focus the national dish – Ceviche: raw fish cooked in Tiger’s milk – a citrus emulsion that coagulates the protein, similar to the cooking process. If near raw fish products are a step too far (and they really shouldn’t be) there is plenty else on offer including grills and yes, another Pisco bar. It’s wise to book ahead as this place gets packed to the rafters, and that’s probably why the next addition will be arriving in the not too distant future (spring 2013).

If the centre of London is too hectic, then Islington also has a relatively new Peruvian offering in the form of Tierra Peru. A slightly lower key affair that has developed from humble Camden Market roots into their Essex Road establishment. If one thing is true of Peruvian cuisine, they have got a lot of different peppers and potatoes. And, the Tierra Peru menu has an authentic mix of both. The emphasis is on the classic here, so if you want experimental Peruvian I would stick to Lima. But for a local traditional flavour this is your place. Tierra Peru has a strategically placed sign that points to Peru, a mere 10,189km away. Luckily for you Londoners the flavours of Lima are right here on your doorstep. (Words: Laura Thornley)

Have you tried Peruvian food or know other go-to spots in London? Comment in the section below! 

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