‘I’m only here because I saw it on my Instagram feed’ – that’s what one woman said about Élan Café, located on Park Lane, Mayfair. Opened in August 2017, the cafe has most definitely made its mark in the city (and on social media) – with its delicate pink and floral décor, the chain has, unsurprisingly, become popular with Instagrammers and bloggers. And I can see why.
Located quite literally opposite Hyde Park, the Park Lane branch is tucked slightly away, next to The Dorchester, but is unavoidable for those who are always on the hunt for a snap for the gram. The exterior is simple and pink (obviously), with four or five bistro tables positioned just under the canopy – it reminds me of being on a city break; there’s kind of a Parisian-cross-Sevillian vibe.
I half expect there to be an excessively long queue for entry but, shockingly for a Friday afternoon on a (very rare) sunny day in the city, there isn’t – it’s only a 10 minute wait. Upon entry, I’m shocked by the size of the interior – decorated with flowers, marble patterns and pink accents, the interior is stunning – compact, but beautiful nonetheless.
After much deliberation, I order a mango smoothie for £8 and a slice of millionaires shortbread (£4.50) – no, my bank account isn’t happy about it. Served in a mason jar, the mango smoothie is heavenly – the perfect consistency with a great ratio of flavours. The shortbread? Disappointing, to put it simply. In fact, I’ve probably made better myself and I’m hardly a top baker. The shortbread was fine – average, even – but the ratio between chocolate and caramel wasn’t. It was sticky, sickly and generally hard to eat.
The café is great for your Instagram, it really is. The smoothies are wonderful, and the staff are generally friendly and accommodating. But that’s about it. It’s cramped, overpriced and the service is slow and unorganised – it baffles me that orders can’t arrive together, especially when they’re all of the same variety: cake and a smoothie. My advice? Don’t judge this book by its cover – you’ll be disappointed.
For a quick afternoon trip, you’ll need at least an hour – not so quick – and at least £12 for a simple smoothie and cake. It’s expensive, and the food may not be up to scratch but at least your Instagram will look good, right?
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