For those seeking some cheerful news: The Connaught has unveiled a new Patisserie, adjoined to the five-star hotel on Carlos Place in Mayfair. Occupying the former branch of Coutts bank on Mount Street, the pretty cake parlour opens at 8am for morning coffees and croissants, followed by handcrafted cakes, gateaux and Laurent-Perrier Champagne in the afternoon.

The menu offers an assortment of dainty bites, which includes an indulgent Chocolate Nemesis cake of River Café fame. It is the first time that the celebrated dessert has been available outside of Hammersmith, beloved for its light, soufflé-like texture and intense chocolatey flavour.

The chic Patisserie has been designed by Ab Rogers in shades of dusty pink, with stuccoed walls and gleaming marble floors, offset by stone grey leather furnishings. An opulent Bianco Fantastico marble counter takes centre stage, below curvaceous crystal pendant lights in bright magenta.

Sweet treats are created daily by The Connaught’s master pâtissier Nicolas Rouzaud and are as elegant as one might expect from the luxury hotel, ranging from French classics, such as praline cream-filled Paris–Brest and light-as-air, sugar-sprinkled chouquettes, to a vibrant yazu and honeycomb éclair. An architectural ‘clock’ also indicates hourly specials, including shell-shaped madeleine cakes and an architectural St. Honoré gateau. The Connaught hound, omnipresent throughout the hotel, also makes an appearance, rendered in chocolate ganache. For those with a more savoury palate, there are truffled mushroom rolls and egg mayonnaise croissants, crowned with confit egg yolk.

During lockdown, The Connaught kept busy by preparing more than 400 meals each day to support homeless charity, The Passage, as well as assisting St Patrick’s Church in Soho and Farm Street Church in Mayfair. The hotel reopened in September and its two-Michelin starred restaurant, Jean-Georges, is also currently available for home delivery via fine dining app Supper, with an edited menu that includes arguably London’s poshest pizza.

The Connaught Patisserie is positioned opposite another sugar-laced destination – Marchesi 1824, the historic Milanese café part-owned by the Prada Group, which is known for its mountainous meringues and panettone. Chef Ollie Dabbous is also poised to unveil a permanent location for his pop-up café and coffee shop, Hideaway, which will occupy the former site of Mount Street Deli. For those looking for a caffeine and cake pitstop in London’s most salubrious postcode, you’re set to be spoilt for choice.