petals & pastries
pop-up flower café in the courtyard from 28th june to 3rd August 2025
patisserie meets floral art
A creative duo for the perfect Afternoon Tea
This summer, the Excelsior Hotel Ernst invites guests to experience a truly special highlight. From 28th June to 3rd August 2025, the hotel’s renowned Afternoon Tea will, for the first time, be served under the open sky. For five weeks, the luxury hotel’s courtyard will transform into a magical Flower Café, where the exquisite patisserie of Pavel Tanev meets the artful floristry of Ali Pourkhalili. As the sun sets, the team from the Charles Bar will elevate the atmosphere with floral cocktail creations, setting the stage for unforgettable summer evenings.
Reservations for the “Petals & Pastries” Afternoon Tea are now open. Given the limited seating, early booking is highly recommended.
a summer day for all the senses
The creative partnership between Ali Pourkhalili, the hotel’s resident florist, and Executive Pastry Chef Pavel Tanev promises a truly immersive sensory experience. While Pourkhalili sets the scene with lush floral arrangements, Tanev delights guests with a specially crafted Afternoon Tea designed for this occasion. The “Petals & Pastries” Afternoon Tea draws its inspiration from floral flavors – a true delight for all the senses!
the masterpiece of patisserie
Pavel Tanev
Raised in a family of pâtissiers, Pavel Tanev developed a passion for pastry from an early age. With over 16 years of experience, he refined his craft in some of Europe’s most distinguished kitchens, including Michelin-starred restaurants in Germany and Spain. His approach combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
“It’s incredibly exciting to bring together our two worlds – the floral beauty and the exquisite art of patisserie. Our goal is to offer guests a harmonious, multi-sensory experience, one they’ve never encountered before”, Tanev says of the creative collaboration at the Pop-Up Flower Café.
floral designer
Ali Pourkhalili
Ali Pourkhalili discovered his passion for flowers later in life. After a successful career in the IT industry, he found his true calling in the art of floristry. Since 2012, he has been the creative force behind the renowned flower atelier “Blütenträume”, and since 2022, he has also served as the official florist of the Excelsior. His style blends timeless elegance with a touch of modernity, characterized by vibrant, airy, and wild arrangements. Pourkhalili creates floral masterpieces that not only captivate the eye but also forge a deep emotional connection with the viewer. For the Pop-Up Flower Café, he brings his creativity to life in a unique collaboration with the hotel’s pastry chef.
“It is a true joy to create an atmosphere that offers guests a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and transports them into a world of beauty – this is the very heart of the Flower Café concept”, says Pourkhalili, reflecting on the vision behind the project.
your experience at the flower café
A break filled with indulgence
The Afternoon Tea offers an exquisite selection of classic delights, including delicate savory sandwiches, freshly baked, warm scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd, and jam, delectable pastries, and a glass of the finest champagne – the perfect combination for a relaxed, elegant summer afternoon under the open sky. You can enjoy this unforgettable experience for 84 EUR per person. Due to limited seating, early booking is recommended.
